HOWTO: Basic Server Tutorial

This HOWTO explains basic information about linux servers. It's meant for people who are new to Linux and are looking at VPSLink as a solution.

WARNING: If you have never used Linux before you should think very hard about whether or not you are ready to maintain a live server. Server maintenence, though it can be done by anyone, is very difficult without prior knowledge.

First you will need to login to the VPSLink control panel and install your operating system. Picking the right operating system is mostly a matter of personal choice. If you don't want to have to setup a server and just want it working to begin with, use FC5 with LAMP, it's preconfigured for a webserver. Install your OS, then click "change password" and change the root password.

NOTE: The root password gives full access to the system. Crackers commonly attack this service and try every password combination to gain access. This password MUST be secure. Use letters and numbers. The ideal password will use capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For best security, change your root password every month or so.

Once your OS is installed, you need to connect to your server. You will have at least 1 IP address for your server, and SSH is enabled by default. SSH is a secure connection system that basically gives you a command line on your server. The easiest way to connect to your server through this from a Windows computer is to use Putty. Download putty, run the file, enter one of your server's IP addresses in the system, and click "open". You will get a popup with your server's encryption key. Click yes to this popup just this once. If you ever receive this popup again it means that someone hijacked your connection...do NOT try to login. Your username is root and you password is the one you set before.

If all goes well, you are now logged into the system. Here are some commands you should know: