Step-by-step help for your hosting

• Set up a private remote work desktop on Admin RDP

  Secure your Admin RDP, install everyday apps, personalise it, and learn when to disconnect versus sign out so your work keeps running.

  BeginnerWindows server3 min read

• Diagnose network problems with ping, traceroute, nslookup, dig, curl and telnet

  A practical toolkit for finding out why a website or server is unreachable: test reachability, the route, DNS answers, ports and HTTP responses.

  IntermediateWindows · macOS and Linux3 min read

• Use SSH keys in PuTTY with Pageant

  Log in to your Linux VPS with an SSH key in PuTTY, either by pointing a saved session at a.ppk file or by loading keys into the Pageant agent, and start Pageant automatically with Windows.

  IntermediateLinux server5 min read

• AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux: which RHEL alternative to pick

  AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are both free, RHEL-compatible distributions with long support windows. Compare their origins, compatibility approach, release timing, migration tools and panel support to pick one for your VPS.

  BeginnerLinux server6 min read

• Allow RDP port 3389 through your PC's firewall or antivirus

  Your own computer's security software can block Remote Desktop to port 3389. Find the block, add a narrow exception for mstsc or TCP 3389, and keep protection switched on.

  IntermediateWindows server5 min read

• Restrict RDP port 3389 to your own IP addresses

  Limit the Windows Firewall rule for RDP port 3389 to the IP addresses you connect from, so bots elsewhere cannot even reach the login screen.

  IntermediateWindows server5 min read

• Troubleshooting IIS application pool recycling and crashing

  Find out why an IIS application pool keeps recycling or stops completely, read the event log evidence, and apply a fix that sticks.

  IntermediateWindows server8 min read

• How much CPU, RAM and disk does my VPS need?

  A practical sizing guide for VPS plans: typical RAM and CPU needs for WordPress, PHP apps, Node.js, databases, Docker and Windows, how to estimate disk, and how to measure and adjust.

  BeginnerVPS2 min read

• VMware ESXi vs Proxmox VE vs Hyper-V: choosing a hypervisor

  Compare VMware ESXi, Proxmox VE and Microsoft Hyper-V on licensing, management tools, storage, clustering, Linux and Windows guest support, and which fits labs, SMBs or hosting.

  IntermediateServers2 min read

• Hardware-assisted virtualization: check and enable VT-x or AMD-V

  Learn what Intel VT-x and AMD-V do, check whether your CPU supports them on Linux or Windows, enable them in BIOS/UEFI, and understand related features like EPT, NPT and VT-d.

  BeginnerServers and workstations2 min read

• KVM vs OpenVZ vs LXC: which VPS virtualization type to choose

  Compare KVM, OpenVZ and LXC VPS virtualization: kernel access, resource guarantees, Docker support, performance and which type suits websites, apps, VPNs or Windows.

  BeginnerVPS hosting2 min read

• Use SSH with a DirectAdmin account (access and SSH keys)

  Get SSH enabled for your DirectAdmin user, add SSH keys in the panel, connect from Windows, macOS or Linux, and run common commands like WP-CLI, Composer and mysql.

  IntermediateDirectAdmin2 min read

• Set up cPanel email in Mozilla Thunderbird

  Add a cPanel mailbox to Thunderbird on Windows, macOS or Linux with IMAP 993 and SMTP 465, check folder and deletion settings, and fix certificate and login errors.

  BeginnercPanel hosting2 min read

• Reinstall the operating system on a Virtualizor VPS

  Reinstall your VPS with a new OS template such as AlmaLinux, Ubuntu, Debian or Windows in Virtualizor, set the root password, and know what to back up first.

  BeginnerVirtualizor VPS2 min read

• Fix Mac keyboard shortcuts in Remote Desktop

  Make Command, Control and Option behave the way you expect in Windows App on a Mac, and sort out copy and paste, special characters, Fn keys and keyboard layouts.

  BeginnerWindows server6 min read

• Set an account lockout policy against RDP password guessing

  Lock accounts for a short time after repeated failed Remote Desktop logins, choose sensible threshold and duration values, and know how to unlock yourself if it happens.

  IntermediateWindows server5 min read

• Fix the wrong keyboard layout in Remote Desktop

  Stop Remote Desktop switching to a US or wrong keyboard layout. Add your layout on the server, remove extras, set a default input method and tame Alt+Shift.

  BeginnerWindows server5 min read

• Remote Desktop terms explained: session, console, NLA, CAL

  A plain-English glossary of Remote Desktop terms, including session, console, disconnect versus sign out, NLA, CredSSP, RDS CAL, gateway and redirection.

  BeginnerWindows server5 min read

• What is latency (ping) and why it matters for your server

  Learn what latency is, how distance and routing affect it, how to measure ping on Windows, Mac and Linux, and when it matters for websites, games, trading and RDP.

  Beginner4 min read

• Create a backup administrator account on your server

  Add a second administrator account with its own strong password, so a lockout, a forgotten password or a broken profile does not cut you off from your Windows server.

  BeginnerWindows server4 min read

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• 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
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