A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a virtualized server that mimics a dedicated server within a shared hosting environment. It provides users with root access, allowing them to install and configure software, manage server resources, and host websites or applications. VPS offers a balance between cost and control, making it suitable for businesses and developers needing more flexibility and performance than shared hosting but at a lower cost than a dedicated server.
VPS cheatsheet
Basic VPS commands and configuration quick reference
# Getting started
What is a vps?
Operative System
A VPS can have various types of operating systems, depending on the user's needs. The most common types are:
- Linux The most popular choice for VPS. Common distributions include: Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, Fedora
- Windows Preferred for running specific Windows applications or using technologies like ASP.NET.
- BSD Known for stability and security, with options like FreeBSD.
Establish a secure SSH connection
To establish a secure SSH connection, generate first a Private SSH Key and a Public SSH Key, then copy the Public Key to the VPS
ssh-copy-id -i key_name.pub root@IP_ADDRESS
If the above command does not work, a manual copy of the key can be executed
cat key_name.pub | ssh root@IP_ADDRESS "mkdir -p ~/.ssh && chmod 700 ~/.ssh && cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys"
The first time connecting, the root password of the VPS must be inserted. After, the connection with the VPS can be established with the command
ssh -i key_name.pem root@IP_ADDRESS