This is for CentOS/RHEL based servers. Steps in WHM: Log into WHM and go to Basic cPanel & WHM Setup Change the Primary IP here with the option that says \"The IP address (only one address) that will be used for setting…
How to change the primary IP address of a WHM/cPanel Server
Last updated: April 2026
Reading time: ~2 min
Audience: Boxis customers and administrators.
What you'll accomplish
- Complete the configuration or task described in this guide for your Boxis service.
Prerequisites
- Access to the interface, device, or server described below.
- Information or credentials you received from Boxis (contract, welcome e-mail, or client area).
Note Boxis: Offers and screens may differ slightly depending on your product. When in doubt, open a support ticket with your service reference.
This is for CentOS/RHEL based servers.
Steps in WHM:
- Log into WHM and go to Basic cPanel & WHM Setup
- Change the Primary IP here with the option that says "The IP address (only one address) that will be used for setting up shared IP virtual hosts"
- Note: This might not actually be necessary.
Log in to SSH, and do the following:
- Edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0
- Change the IPADDR and GATEWAY lines to match the new IP and Gateway for the new ip
Edit /etc/sysconfig/network
- Change the GATEWAY line here if it does not exist in the ifcfg-* file.
Edit /etc/ips
- Remove the new primary IP from this file if it is present
- Add the old primary IP to this file with the format ::
Edit /var/cpanel/mainip
- Replace the old primary IP with the new primary IP
Edit /etc/hosts
- Replace the old primary IP with the new one if needed. The hostname's dns will need to be updated too
Restart the network service to make the new IP the primary****
- service network restart
- Note: You're probably going to be disconnected at this point, and have to log in to ssh using the new primary ip.
Restart the ipaliases script to bring up the additional IPs****
- service ipaliases restart
Run ifconfig and make sure all IPs show up correctly Update the cpanel license to the new primary IP Verify you can still log in to WHM and there is no license warning
Expected result
- The product behaves as described in each step (connectivity, message, or UI state).
If something goes wrong
- Repeat the step and check for typos (hostnames, passwords, ports).
- Note the exact error message or screenshot.
- Open a ticket in the Boxis client area with the service name, time of the test, and any trace (e.g. traceroute) if it is a network issue.
See also
- Other articles in the same category in the Boxis knowledge base.
/knowledgebase/— main knowledge base index.