Preparations

Before installing Octeth and its add-ons, ensure you have the following prerequisites ready.

Required Resources

Main Octeth Server

A vanilla Ubuntu 24.04 or newer VM server for running the Octeth application:

• Minimum Specs: 4 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 80 GB SSD
• Recommended: 8 vCPU / 16 GB RAM / 160 GB SSD
• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (fresh installation, no control panels)
• Access: Root SSH access

Link Proxy Server (Optional)

If you plan to use the Link Proxy add-on, you'll need a separate server:

• Minimum Specs: 2 vCPU / 4 GB RAM / 40 GB SSD
• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (fresh installation)
• Access: Root SSH access

Domain and DNS

• Domain Name (optional but recommended): A root or subdomain to access Octeth
  • Example: octeth.yourdomain.com or mail.yourdomain.com
• DNS Access: Ability to create A, TXT, and CNAME records for your domain

Octeth Software

Software Package

Download the latest Octeth package from the Octeth Client Area:

• File format: ZIP archive (e.g., oempro-rel-v6.0.2.zip)
• Size: Approximately 200-300 MB
• Version: v6.0.1 or newer to use the signed license key described below

License Key

Octeth v6.0.1 and newer read a signed license key for one domain: the host of the Application URL (APP_URL) you install with. Get it from the Octeth Client Area:

1. Open Licenses and click your license.
2. Under Domains and license keys, enter your installation's domain in Add a domain (for example mail.example.com) and click Add domain. Each add counts as a domain change, and the page shows how many of the license's domain changes you have used.
3. In the license key panel for that domain, click Show license key, then click Copy. To save it as a file instead, click Download as file, which saves it as octeth.license.

About the key:

• Format: one line of about 800 characters. It is not the short OCT-... key that identifies the license in the client area.
• It is bound to one domain. Changing or adding a domain needs a new key, which you get the same way.
• You will be prompted for it during installation. You can also leave it empty and paste it later on Settings > License in the administrator area (see License). Until a valid key is set, the installation runs with the Community limits (one user account, 10,000 subscribers).

Octeth v6.0.0 and older

Versions before v6.0.1 do not read the signed license key. They use the short OCT-... license key in LICENSE_KEY, and the client area still offers a license.dat file for them in the v5 and older column. To move such an installation to the signed key, upgrade to v6.0.1 or newer and set the key as described in Upgrading Octeth.

Additional Requirements

Email Infrastructure

• SMTP Server Access: For sending emails (can be third-party like SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, or your own)
• Sender Domains: Domains you plan to send emails from
• DNS Control: Ability to add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records

Skills and Access

• Basic Linux command-line knowledge
• SSH client software
• Text editor familiarity (vi, nano, etc.)
• Understanding of DNS management

Cost Considerations

Server Hosting: Costs vary by provider, typically:

• Main server: $6-20/month depending on specifications
• Link proxy server: $3-10/month (if using)

Octeth License: Check Octeth Pricing for current license costs

Email Sending: SMTP service costs vary based on volume (some free tiers available)

Next Steps

Once you have all prerequisites ready:

1. Proceed to Server Requirements to verify your server meets specifications
2. Follow Server Initialization to set up your VM
3. Continue with Server Setup to prepare the server for Octeth installation

Checklist

Before proceeding, ensure you have:

• [ ] Ubuntu 24.04 server(s) with root access
• [ ] Octeth software package downloaded
• [ ] Signed license key copied for your domain
• [ ] Domain name ready (optional)
• [ ] SMTP server access configured