Servers
A VPS or cloud server is your own server with root access, and you look after its operating system and software. These guides cover choosing, connecting to and securing a server, and running a control panel such as cPanel, Plesk or ISPConfig on it.
Topics in this section
VPS and cloudChoose a server, connect with SSH, secure Linux, take snapshots and pick a control panel.
- Web hosting, VPS or cloud?
Compare shared web hosting, a VPS and a cloud server by control, resources, skills needed and billing, and find out which one suits your project.
- Connect with SSH
Open a secure command-line session to your Linux server from Windows, macOS or Linux, set up SSH keys and fix common connection errors.
- Secure a new Linux server
A first-hour checklist for a new VPS or cloud server, covering updates, a sudo user, key-only SSH, a firewall, automatic security updates and backups.
- Snapshots and backups
How server snapshots differ from backups, why you need copies outside the server, and how to take consistent database backups and test restores.
Control panelsChoose a control panel for your server and get started with cPanel, Plesk or ISPConfig.
- Choose a control panel
Decide whether your VPS needs a control panel, compare the main panel options, and install one safely on a fresh server.
- cPanel and WHM on your VPS
Set up cPanel and WHM on your own VPS or cloud server, from first sign-in to hosting accounts, SSL, email, backups and security.
- Plesk on your VPS
Set up Plesk on your own VPS or cloud server, from first sign-in to subscriptions and websites, SSL, email, backups and security.
- ISPConfig on your VPS
Set up the open-source ISPConfig panel on your own VPS or cloud server, from first sign-in to clients and websites, SSL, email and backups.