FAQ: VPS 256 - Setup

Home > Virtual Private Server > VPS 256 > FAQ > Setup

Can I firewall my VPS?

You can firewall your VPS by setting up a software firewall such as IP Tables on a Linux-based machine or Windows Firewall on a Microsoft-based server. There are several tutorials on the web to help you do this.

Can I manually reboot my VPS?

Yes you can. If something is not working correctly you can simply reboot it in the control panel available in the Account Management area of this page.

Can I reinstall a different distribution or start over on my VPS?

You can reinstall at anytime. However, this will be an embryonic installation and all data will be lost. You will need to backup any data that you want to maintain before you do this. Please note that this is not the same as restoring from a backup. It is a fresh install of the operating system image. You will need to manually restore any settings or software that you have installed.  Remember:  reinstalling or reimaging your VPS will remove all data from your VPS.  Make sure you have a backup before you do this.

Does it make a difference what type of desktop computer I use?

The internet is a homogenous collection of different types of servers and operating systems.  It only matters what type of Desktop you use if you have developed system specific scripts.  If you have developed scripts on your desktop computer that use technologies specific to a certain operating system or environment, then you will need a server that runs the same OS or environment.  The rule of thumb is to try to develop on the system (or a simliar system) that it will eventually be hosted on.  This allows you to know if things work properly before you upload everything.

You may want to also consider purchasing a second identical account for development and testing ensure things will work perfectly on your live server environment.

How do I access my Virtual Private Server?

You can access your Linux Virtual Private Server over a SSH connection by using a program such as: Terminal in Mac OS X, or Putty and SecureCRT in Windows. Use the username and password along with the IP of the machine that was given to you in your welcome letter from Nethosting.com. 

Windows VPS accounts can be administrated over Remote Desktop using the standard Remote Desktop Client from Microsoft (included in Windows XP and newer versions of Windows).

If you have added a Control Panel like Cpanel or DirectAdmin, you can go to your IP address or domain name followed by :2222 in DirectAdmin or your IP address or domain name followed by :2086 in Cpanel.

-- Examples --

Direct Admin:  http://www.domain.com:2222

Cpanel: http://www.domain.com:2086

You can get additional information on DirectAdmin here: http://www.site-helper.com.

How long does it take for my account to be ready after signing up?

This can vary on the package you select.  Typically, we can have your Virtual Hosting up as soon as you finish the sign up process.  VPS or Dedicated servers can be ready within 10-15 minutes of your order depending on the options you choose.  We pride ourselves on being the only provider in the industry with a ten minute or less install of a basic Dedicated or Virtual Private Server.

What if I forget my Username or Password?

Our support team can help you reset the password for your account or provide your user name if you call us. We will need to verify some of your account details to protect your security of course. VPS accounts use a real administrative account and password so if you forget what it is we may have to reimage the server to recover or remove the password. That means your server will be restored to its initial, blank state so make sure you keep a written copy of that password stored in a safe place where you won't lose it.