Step-by-step help for your hosting

• Fix "You are in emergency mode" on a Linux VPS

  Get a Linux VPS out of systemd emergency mode: read journalctl to find the failed mount, fix a bad /etc/fstab entry or UUID, repair the filesystem with fsck and boot normally.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Fix grub rescue> and error: unknown filesystem on a Linux VPS

  Get a Linux VPS out of the grub rescue prompt: find the boot partition, boot manually with set root and insmod normal, then reinstall GRUB permanently from the system or a rescue ISO.

  AdvancedLinux VPS2 min read

• Install Joomla 5 on a Linux VPS with Nginx

  Install Joomla 5 on an Ubuntu or AlmaLinux VPS with Nginx, PHP-FPM and MariaDB, including the PHP extensions, an Nginx config with SEF URLs, SSL and post-install hardening.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Install PrestaShop on a Linux VPS with Nginx and PHP-FPM

  Set up PrestaShop 8 on an Ubuntu or AlmaLinux VPS with Nginx, PHP-FPM and MariaDB, including the right PHP extensions, an Nginx config, SSL and post-install security.

  IntermediateLinux VPS3 min read

• Install OpenCart on a Linux VPS with Nginx

  Install OpenCart 4 on an Ubuntu or AlmaLinux VPS with Nginx, PHP-FPM and MariaDB: PHP extensions, database, config files, SEO URL rules, SSL and securing the storage folder.

  IntermediateLinux VPS3 min read

• Run WordPress on OpenLiteSpeed with LSCache on a VPS

  Build a fast WordPress VPS on OpenLiteSpeed: install lsphp and MariaDB, create the virtual host, enable the server cache module, install the LiteSpeed Cache plugin and confirm cache hits.

  IntermediateOpenLiteSpeed VPS3 min read

• VPS slow with high I/O wait: how to find and fix disk bottlenecks

  Is your VPS slow while CPU looks idle? High I/O wait means processes are waiting on the disk. Learn how to measure it with top and iostat, find the culprit and fix it.

  AdvancedLinux VPS2 min read

• VPS not booting: how to troubleshoot a boot failure

  Your VPS will not boot or is stuck at GRUB, emergency mode or a kernel panic? Learn how to use the VNC console and rescue mode to find the cause and recover the server.

  AdvancedLinux VPS2 min read

• Move a site from cPanel hosting to a Linux VPS

  The reverse migration: take a site from cPanel shared hosting to your own Linux VPS with nginx or Apache, PHP and MariaDB, including email options and DNS cut-over.

  AdvancedcPanel to Linux VPS2 min read

• Back up and restore a Linux VPS: rsync, tar, mysqldump and snapshots

  A practical Linux VPS backup and restore plan: provider snapshots, tar archives, mysqldump, rsync to off-site storage, automation with cron and test restores.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Migrate sites from a LAMP or LEMP VPS to cPanel hosting

  Move websites from a plain Linux VPS (Apache or nginx, PHP, MySQL) to MdmHost cPanel: find vhosts, dump databases, copy files with rsync, convert rules and switch DNS.

  AdvancedLinux VPS to cPanel4 min read

• Set up a private network between VPS servers

  Connect web, database and cache servers privately: provider private networks and VLANs, configuring a second interface with Netplan, binding services to private IPs, firewalling, and VPN alternatives.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Migrate from an OpenVZ or LXC VPS to a KVM VPS

  Move websites, databases and services from a container-based OpenVZ or LXC VPS to a KVM VPS: why moving beats converting, inventory, preparing the KVM server, copying data and switching over.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Hacked VPS? Incident response steps for a compromised server

  What to do when a Linux VPS is compromised: signs of intrusion, isolate the server, preserve evidence with a snapshot, find the entry point, rebuild cleanly, rotate credentials and prevent a repeat.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Run Hyper-V, WSL2 or Docker Desktop inside a Windows VPS on KVM

  Why Hyper-V, WSL2, Docker Desktop and Windows Sandbox fail on most Windows VPSs, how nested virtualization on the KVM host fixes it, the host and guest settings needed, and alternatives.

  AdvancedWindows VPS on KVM2 min read

• Encrypted, deduplicated VPS backups with restic

  Back up a Linux VPS with restic to S3-compatible storage or SFTP: initialise an encrypted repository, back up files and database dumps, apply retention policies, verify and restore.

  IntermediateLinux VPS2 min read

• Attach and use a block storage volume on a cloud VPS

  Add extra block storage to a cloud server or VPS: attach the volume, find the new disk, format and mount it persistently, move data like databases onto it, and resize or detach safely.

  IntermediateCloud servers and VPS2 min read

• VDI explained: virtual desktops vs RDS vs a Windows VPS

  What virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is, how it differs from Remote Desktop Services session hosts and a simple Windows VPS, the protocols involved, costs and when each fits.

  BeginnerWindows and remote work2 min read

• Change Linux kernel boot parameters in GRUB on a VPS

  View and change Linux kernel command-line parameters on a VPS or VM: edit /etc/default/grub, regenerate the config on Debian or RHEL, use grubby, test temporary changes and recover safely.

  IntermediateLinux VPS and VMs2 min read

• Run an IPv6-only VPS: reaching IPv4 sites with NAT64 and DNS64

  Why IPv6-only VPS plans exist, what breaks without IPv4, how NAT64 and DNS64 let you reach IPv4-only services, configuring a public NAT64 resolver, and making your site reachable for IPv4 visitors.

  AdvancedLinux VPS2 min read

Browse by topic

• Getting startedYour first hour with a new server: access, logins and basics.83 guides
• cPanelFiles, databases, email, domains and every cPanel tool, step by step.67 guides
• WHM & resellingWHM, packages, reseller accounts, WHMReseller and running a hosting brand.53 guides
• WordPressInstall, secure, speed up, migrate and fix WordPress sites.49 guides
• Email & webmailMailboxes, webmail, forwarders, spam filters and email delivery.67 guides
• DomainsRegistering, transferring and managing domains and nameservers.27 guides
• SSL certificatesFree AutoSSL, Let's Encrypt, paid certificates and HTTPS.41 guides
• CloudLinuxCloudLinux setup and use: LVE limits, CloudLinux Manager, CageFS and PHP/Node.js selectors.31 guides
• LiteSpeedLiteSpeed Web Server, LSCache and the LiteSpeed Cache plugin: install, settings and tuning.35 guides
• Imunify360Malware scanning, firewall and proactive defence with Imunify360.24 guides
• SoftaculousInstall, update, clone and back up apps with Softaculous.24 guides
• WP SquaredcPanel's WordPress platform: sites, plugins, staging and backups.9 guides
• SitePadBuild and publish websites with the SitePad builder.9 guides
• SitejetDesign, edit and publish sites with the Sitejet builder.9 guides
• WHMResellerAlpha and master resellers with WHMReseller: install, setup and use.12 guides
• VirtFusionInstall, set up and manage VirtFusion: hypervisors, packages, servers and WHMCS integration.28 guides
• VirtualizorManage your VPS with Virtualizor: power, OS reinstall, VNC, IPs and backups.44 guides
• PleskWebsites, email, databases and settings in the Plesk panel.53 guides
• DirectAdminUsers, domains, email and reseller tools in DirectAdmin.41 guides
• WHMCSBilling, automation, products and client management with WHMCS.52 guides
• Control panelscPanel & WHM, Plesk, DirectAdmin and other panels on your VPS.107 guides
• SecurityKeys, passwords, firewalls and keeping a server patched.138 guides
• Networking & DNSIP addresses, reverse DNS, ports and traffic.72 guides
• Websites & appsWeb servers, WordPress, PHP, Node.js, SSL and app hosting.83 guides
• DatabasesMySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis and MongoDB on a VPS.80 guides
• Billing & accountInvoices, renewals, the client area and your account.9 guides
• TroubleshootingWhen something is not working: checks and fixes.127 guides
• Linux VPSSSH, packages, services and everyday Linux administration.265 guides
• Windows VPS & RDPRemote Desktop, Windows Server settings and Admin RDP tips.73 guides
• Docker & DevOpsContainers, Git deploys, automation, monitoring and backups.82 guides