How to Install Zammad on AlmaLinux VPS (10-Minute Quick-Start Guide)

This article provides a guide on how to install Zammad on AlmaLinux VPS.

If you’re looking to run a robust open-source helpdesk on your AlmaLinux VPS, Zammad is a great pick. It’s modern, feature-packed, and supports everything from ticketing to chat and reporting. This guide will walk you through installing Zammad step by step.

What is Zammad?

Zammad is an open-source helpdesk and customer support system designed to help teams manage communication with customers across multiple channels. It provides a central place for handling tickets, emails, chats, phone calls, social media messages (like Twitter and Facebook), and more.

Key Features of Zammad:

• Ticketing System: Centralized management of support requests (tickets).
• Multi-Channel Support: Integrates with email, web forms, chat, Twitter, Facebook, and phone systems.
• User Roles & Permissions: Granular control over what users and agents can access.
• Full-Text Search: Fast and intuitive search across all tickets and customer data.
• Knowledge Base: Built-in self-service portal to reduce repetitive tickets.
• Time Tracking: Keep track of how much time is spent on tickets.
• API Access: REST API for integrations and automations.
• Modern UI: Built with a responsive, user-friendly interface.
• Self-hosted or Cloud: Available as a self-hosted app (great for privacy) or through Zammad’s cloud offering.

Ideal Use Cases:

• IT support desks
• Customer service teams
• Managed service providers
• Web hosting companies
• Any business needing structured support workflows

🛠️ Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• AlmaLinux 8 or AlmaLinux 9 VPS
• Root or sudo access
• At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB+ recommended)
• A domain name (optional, but useful for production)
• SELinux disabled or in permissive mode (Zammad doesn’t play nice with enforcing mode)

How to Install Zammad on AlmaLinux VPS

To install Zammad on AlmaLinux VPS, follow the steps below:

1. Update the System

   sudo dnf update -y sudo dnf install epel-release nano -y sudo dnf install imlib2 -y

2. Set Hostname (Optional but Recommended)

   hostnamectl set-hostname support.yourdomain.com

   Add your IP and hostname to /etc/hosts:

   sudo nano /etc/hosts

   Example entry:

   127.0.0.1 support.yourdomain.com support

3. Disable SELinux (or set to permissive)

   Check status:

   sestatus

   If enforcing, set to permissive:

   sudo setenforce 0

   To make it permanent:

   sudo nano /etc/selinux/config

   Change:

   SELINUX=permissive

   Reboot if needed.

4. Add Dependencies

   sudo dnf install postgresql nginx nodejs redis memcached sqlite-devel libyaml libyaml-devel -y curl -fsSL https://get.pnpm.io/install.sh | sh -

5. Add Elasticsearch

   sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/elasticsearch.repo << EOF [elasticsearch-7.x] name=Elasticsearch repository for 7.x packages baseurl=https://artifacts.elastic.co/packages/7.x/yum gpgcheck=1 gpgkey=https://artifacts.elastic.co/GPG-KEY-elasticsearch enabled=1 autorefresh=1 type=rpm-md EOF

   Install Elasticsearch:

   sudo dnf install java-11-openjdk-devel -y rpm --import https://artifacts.elastic.co/GPG-KEY-elasticsearch sudo dnf install elasticsearch -y

   Configure Elasticsearch:

   sudo nano /etc/elasticsearch/elasticsearch.yml

   Add the following:

   cluster.name: es-almalinux node.name: es-node network.host: 127.0.0.1

   Start and enable Elasticsearch:

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload sudo systemctl start elasticsearch sudo systemctl enable elasticsearch

6. Add Zammad Repository

   Zammad provides its own YUM repo:

   sudo rpm --import https://dl.packager.io/srv/zammad/zammad/key sudo wget -O /etc/yum.repos.d/zammad.repo \ https://dl.packager.io/srv/zammad/zammad/stable/installer/el/8.repo

   (Replace /el/8.repo with /el/9.repo if you’re using AlmaLinux 9.)

7. Install Zammad

   sudo dnf install zammad -y
   sudo chmod -R 755 /opt/zammad/public/
   

   This will install:

   • Zammad app
   • Nginx (as web server)
   • PostgreSQL (as database)
   • Elasticsearch (for search functionality)
   • Systemd services

8. Start and Enable Services

   sudo systemctl enable --now zammad sudo systemctl enable --now elasticsearch sudo systemctl enable --now nginx

9. Configure Firewall

   Open required ports:

   sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https sudo firewall-cmd --reload

10. Access Zammad Web Installer

    Open your browser and go to:

    http://your-server-ip/
    

    Or:

    http://support.yourdomain.com/
    

    Follow the web-based setup wizard to:

    • Create an admin user
    • Configure email (for ticketing)
    • Connect Slack or chat (optional)
    • Set branding

11. Secure with SSL (Recommended)

    Install Certbot:

    sudo dnf install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

    Edit Nginx configuration:

    sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

    Configure ServerName directive:

     server { server_name support.yourdomain.com; root /usr/share/nginx/html;

    Run Certbot:

    sudo certbot --nginx -d support.yourdomain.com

    Follow the prompts to get your free Let’s Encrypt SSL cert.

    Set up auto-renewal:

    echo "0 3 * * * root certbot renew --quiet" | sudo tee -a /etc/crontab

12. You’re Done 🎉

    Zammad should now be fully operational. Log into the admin interface and start customizing workflows, email templates, triggers, and user roles.

✅ Tips

• Keep Zammad and your server updated.
• Set up regular backups (use zammad run rake for exporting data).
• Monitor logs (/var/log/zammad/) for issues.

Troubleshooting

Port 9200 not open? Elasticsearch might not be running. Restart it:

sudo systemctl restart elasticsearch

Permission issues? Run:

sudo zammad run rake zammad:permissions:reset

Got questions or hit an issue? Drop a comment or check out Zammad’s docs—they’re well-written and active.

Conclusion

You now know how to install Zammad on AlmaLinux VPS.