Rebuild or reinstall a VirtFusion server with a new OS

A VirtFusion rebuild wipes the server's disk and installs a fresh operating system from a template. It is the quickest fix for a broken or compromised VPS, or for switching distributions, and the server keeps its IP addresses and package.

Before you start

• Access to the VirtFusion control panel (customer) or admin area (provider).
• A recent backup or copies of the data you need (VirtFusion backups).
• An SSH public key if you prefer key login.

Rebuild a VirtFusion server from the control panel

1. Log in and open the server.
2. Open the Rebuild (or reinstall) section.
3. Choose the operating system template, for example a recent Ubuntu, Debian or AlmaLinux release.
4. Set the hostname and either a strong root password or your SSH key.
5. Confirm the warning and start the rebuild.
6. Wait until the status returns to running, then connect with ssh root@SERVER_IP.

Rebuild from the admin area

1. Open Servers and select the server.
2. Use the build or rebuild action, pick the template and options, and confirm.
3. Tell the customer the new login method; never send passwords over unencrypted chat.

Check afterwards

• SSH works and cat /etc/os-release shows the chosen OS.
• Your SSH client warns that the host key changed. That is expected after a rebuild; remove the old key with ssh-keygen -R SERVER_IP.
• Update packages right away: apt update && apt upgrade -y or dnf upgrade -y.

Troubleshooting

• Rebuild fails immediately: the template may not be available on that hypervisor; an admin should check the template list.
• Server boots but has no network: the template may not support the network configuration method; try another template and report it to your provider.
• Cannot log in with the password: use the VNC console to check, or rebuild again with an SSH key.

Frequently asked questions

Do I keep my IP address after a rebuild?

Yes. The IPs belong to the server record, not the operating system.

Are backups deleted when I rebuild?

Backups stored by the backup system are separate from the disk, but check your provider's policy before relying on them.

Can I install an OS from my own ISO instead?

If your provider enables ISO mounting, you can boot an ISO and install manually through the console.

Next steps

• OS templates and ISOs
• Use the VNC console
• Secure SSH on a new VPS