Most of the users would be in confusion about maintaining a VPS server. So, I decided to help the users who were trying to know how to manage a brand new VPS server and as well as who were on a fence whether to order a VPS or not? Let me explain you what is a VPS? When to order it? and basic's of VPS management.
What is a VPS?
A virtual private server (VPS) is a virtual machine which was provided by most of the web hosting providers in today's market. A VPS runs on its own operating system, and customers would be providing superuser (SHELL) access with complete control. They can also install any of the software which was compatible with their OS and the version they run. This will give you the basic idea about what is a VPS?.
How to select a VPS and When?
Once you know what is a VPS? You should check where to order VPS and when? There are different scenarios where you require a VPS. I will discuss few common situations I have seen.
1. When you don't want to share resources with other users.
2. If you decided to test dedicated environment which helps you test with minimum budget?
3. If you own a reseller hosting and suppose to have a dedicated environment for your customers.
1. When you require Dedicated Resources?
Don’t want to share your resources with anyone? and when you decide to host only your domain in a server? Than definitely, its time to try VPS server.
2. Testing Dedicated Environment
When you want to try any new application, where it could not be possible to test in shared server? Than definitely, you should think about having a VPS for testing your new application.
Also, if you need shell access for your applications or to check different shell scripts, commands? Yes, it's time to order your VPS at http://www.fastwebhost.in
3. Reseller to VPS server
If you are using reseller hosting on a shared environment? And do your clients requesting more resources other than what they have? Yes, it's time to switch to a VPS server with a cPanel License which would keep your clients happy.
In cPanel VPS Hosting, you can manage everything from your end with no issues. Even you will be provided basic support from cPanel directly.
Even shell access can be enabled if your users request. You will get overall control on your server.
Ok let’s discuss few basic server side settings when you order your first VPS. I want to discuss about the CentOS VPS with a cPanel.
1. How to login to Linix server using Putty?
2. Check if your VPS is setup with latest version?
3. How to check RAM?
4. How to check no. of users logged in?
5. How to check load on your server?
6. How to configure SSH-Key based authentication?
7. How to change SSH Port?
8. How to setup firewall on your server?
Here are the steps to follow once your VPS is ready.
1. How to login to Linux shell using Putty
There are different ways to login to Linux shell(SSH).
If you are using a Linux OS, then its pretty easy login to SSH using a terminal application.
Whereas if you are using Windows then I recommend to follow this article on how to login to Linux server using Putty
www.fastwebhost.in/blog/connecting-to-a-linux-server-using-putty/
2. How to check the version of your OS running currently
You can also check the version of your Operating System from the below command.
cat /etc/centos-release or cat /etc/redhat-release
3. How to check Free RAM on your server?
If you are managing your Linux machine, it's important to understand the output of free command. It shows free system memory.
When you use "free" command the output will be displayed in kilobytes
free
Where as it displays the output in Megabytes which is easy to read.
free -m
4. How to check the number of users logged in on your machine?
When you were managing your Linux machine it is important to know, how many users logged to your machine and you can check that from your shell.
w
It displays all the users who logged currently
who
who command works with almost all Linux and UNIX Operating systems. It displays information about currently logged in users. By default, this includes the login name, tty name, date and time of login and remote hostname if not local.
5. How to check load on your server?
There are different commands to check the load on your Linux machine when you manage on your own.
uptime
top
w
Let me show you the output of “TOP” command
top - 04:16:46 up 289 days, 20:20, 3 users, load average: 1.93, 1.73, 1.62
Tasks: 515 total, 2 running, 508 sleeping, 0 stopped, 5 zombie
Cpu(s): 8.5%us, 1.7%sy, 0.0%ni, 89.2%id, 0.2%wa, 0.0%hi, 0.3%si, 0.0%st
Mem: 16285156k total, 13036884k used, 3248272k free, 1975672k buffers
Swap: 8191996k total, 1535688k used, 6656308k free, 6173884k cached
It shows current time of the server, uptime in days, number of users logged in and average load on the server. We will discuss in detail about “top” command in our next article.
6. How to configure SSH Key-Based Authentication
I recommend you to enable SSH Key-Based authentication on your server to make it more secure.
About this we have discussed in another article which you can check this from the below URL
http://www.fastwebhost.in/blog/configuring-ssh-key-based-authentication/
7. How to change port on your Linux server
Once you decide to manage your server more securely, I can suggest you to change your default SSH port 22 to some other which disables the access to hackers.
We already posted the best article on this and you can check from the below URL
http://www.fastwebhost.in/blog/changing-ssh-port-in-linux-server/
8. How to install firewall on your Linux server?
Yes, installing firewall on your VPS server is always the best practise to handle your server securely with a basic knowledge.
I can recommend you to install ConfigServer Firewall(CSF) which is one of the most popular firewall for Linux Operating Systems.
You can get more information from the below URL
https://configserver.com/cp/csf.html
Conclusion
By this time you would have a better idea of what is a VPS? why you need it? and when you need to purchase? So, I think you enjoyed reading this article. Please leave your comments in the below if you have any queries. I will recommend the best VPS if you let me know your requirements.