How does VPS Hosting function, and how can you set one up?
So, is it your first time to set up your VPS server? Worry not!
Just read this post; it will help you understand what a VPS server is and how you can set it up all by yourself.
So, let’s get started…
What is a VPS Server?
Servers are sophisticated computers that hold all of the data and files that make up your website in one place. And VPS or Virtual Private Server is one such sophisticated computer. These servers help online searchers to “serve up” your website when they enter a domain name. In order to create several virtual servers from a single powerful server, VPS utilizes virtualization technologies.
Think of it this way: it’s a single piece of hardware that acts as if it were a number of distinct servers. The meaning of the word “private” is self-explanatory. This implies that you don’t need to share your virtual server’s resources, such as RAM, CPU, etc., with any other users.
How do virtual private servers benefit you?
Well, VPS hosting comes with immense benefits and advantages; some of them are as follows:
Complete Control
Unlike shared hosting, VPS hosting lets you have full control over your resources. This implies that you don’t need to share your resources with other users and have complete control.
Reliability
It’s much less stressful to deal with any latencies caused by spikes in traffic from other websites when you have complete control, excellent storage capacity, and your own assigned bandwidth.
Security & Protection
Security is one of the major concerns today. And VPS hosting provides you with complete security. Since VPS hosting is secured by virtualization technology, it is entirely secure. Unlike shared hosting, with VPS hosting, you don’t have to worry about your website being compromised by the flaws of other sites. Moreover, VPS hosting provides better data security and makes server backups a breeze.
Speed
When you’re in an ecosystem competing with numerous other businesses, you cannot ignore speed. Your website needs to run wonderfully at all times so as to provide the best customer experience.
VPS hosting has enough power to keep your website running smoothly and rapidly.
Scalability
Expansion is what every business personnel looks for. Scalability is what makes VPS hosting the best. You can scale up or scale down your VPS hosting needs at any time with Go4Hosting.
Cost-effective
A virtual private server (VPS) is a cost-effective option for businesses that want more control and power but don’t need to spend the money on a dedicated machine.
Customizability
Unlike shared hosting, VPS hosting lets you choose your operating system, applications, and practically every other resource that you’ll need to run your business efficiently.
How does VPS Hosting work?
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting gives you the feeling of having a dedicated server while sharing the physical server with other customers. Your web hosting service provider uses virtualization technology to add a virtual layer on top of the server’s operating system. This layer lets each user install their own operating system and software on the server.
A virtual private server (VPS) is genuinely a private server since it separates your files from those of other users at the operating system level.
As a result, you can be confident that your website is safe and secure at all times. Also, you can have access to all of the server resources needed to run a server.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up A VPS Server
You need not be tech-savvy to set up a VPS server. Follow these steps, and you’re good to go…
Here is what you’ll need to set up a VPS server:
- Unix-based operating system (such as CentOS or Ubuntu) installed by your VPS provider
- Remote SSH root access to your machine.
STEP 1: Choosing a UI
Install a control panel if you plan to run an Apache web server and a mail server on your VPS. A control panel is a web-based interface for managing web domains, email, and backups.
Common control panels include cPanel (paid), Plesk (free), and DirectAdmin (paid).
STEP 2: Update OS and Packages
The command below updates the latest kernel fixes and programs. Because these updates may contain security patches, run this command immediately after logging in.
# yum update && yum upgrade
If you still want a control panel and your VPS provider has pre-installed it, update it to the current version by following the instructions in their documentation.
STEP 3: Enable SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux)
Verify SELinux is enabled (enforcing/permissive):
# sestatus
# cat /etc/selinux/config
# getenforce
To enable SELinux (if currently disabled):
enable permissive SELinux in /etc/SELinux/config (targeted SELinux);
make an a.autorelabel file in the root of the filesystem.
SELinux will add extended attributes (labels) to all files after reboot.
# touch /.autorelabel
reboot;
# reboot
update SELinux’s mode to enforcing in /etc/SELinux/config;
STEP 4: Rename the Host
Your VPS provider assigns you a default hostname.
vps-2487-1356.myvpsprovider.cloud
To see your current hostname, type:
# hostnamectl
Modify the default hostname to something more human-readable if you plan to operate several servers later; certain programs may write the server hostname in log files.
# hostnamectl set-hostname –static yourhostname
You can modify it to the server’s principal domain name for which you have set up rDNS for this server.
STEP 5: Set time zone
To verify your time and timezone, use the following command:
# timedatectl
It is best to run servers in the UTC timezone and save database dates and times in UTC. Writing applications that show and manage dates for users from different time zones will be significantly easier.
# timedatectl set-timezone UTC
NOTE: Legacy programs that require the server to be set in the local timezone may not want to be changed.
STEP 6: Localize
Print the system locale with localectl and locale:
# localectl
# locale
You can localize however you want it to be.
STEP 7: Set time with NTP
Execute the following command to enable NTP:
# systemctl status ntpd.service
If not, perform the following commands:
# yum install ntp
# systemctl start ntpd.service
# systemctl enable ntpd.service
# systemctl status ntpd.service
STEP 8: Add a User
It is safer to login and run commands as a non-root user. For more information, see the User Passwords section.
# adduser username
# passwd username
Adding a user to the unique wheel group lets them run root commands using sudo.
# gpasswd –add username wheel
To create a new user shell:
# su – username
Even though the created user gets root rights using the sudo program, you must now be clear when performing tasks requiring higher privileges.
Run the following command to switch to root user:
$ sudo -i
STEP 9: Disable root SSH login
It will help you have complete protection. Attackers won’t be able to gain access to the root user upon disabling the root SSH login.
# vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Change PermitRootLogin to no. AllowUsers username
# systemctl restart sshd.service
STEP 10: Authenticate with SSH public key
For better security and protection, it is recommended to authenticate with SSH Public Key. You’ll need a private and public key pair for this. The server gets a copy of the public key, and only your local machine has the private key. Only a user with a private key can successfully authenticate to the server. You can use your private and public key pair on various servers.
So, follow these steps, and you’re done!!
