Choosing between a managed or unmanaged VPS service to manage your company’s virtualization is one of the simplest decisions today. When deciding on the type of service to contract, you can opt for a managed or an unmanaged service. The decision will depend on your needs and the ability to manage the involved systems. Contracting an unmanaged VPS service will require more self-management.
In this sense, having an unmanaged VPS service means the user must perform an initial setup and follow certain protocols to operate the server. Based on this, we will provide some tips on how to begin managing this system and important considerations not to overlook.
When contracting an unmanaged VPS service, you receive access, such as the server's IP address, the root username, and the root account password, in addition to an environment with a basic software configuration. Therefore, one of the first steps to begin using the VPS is to set up what’s necessary to start using it and to be able to use the appropriate commands.
- Use Secure Shell (SSH) Access
SSH access allows you to connect to remote servers. It’s important to remember that this will be your access route. Additionally, SSH is known for its strong security and authentication protocols, reinforcing its convenience and necessity for use.
After this first step, we must access the control panel, where, in the servers section, we can find the contracted VPS package. Available systems are Linux VPS and Windows VPS, which have differences and should be analyzed before selecting the most suitable service.
2. Update the Server
After logging into the VPS, you may see prompts for updates. These refer to software packages that are important system components. Therefore, you must follow the instructions to keep them updated so the server can function correctly. Once the installations are complete, you should update the server with the reboot command, shut it down, and reopen it.
3. Create New Users and Set Privileges
Upon entering the VPS, you will use the root user. However, it is recommended to create a new user with the same privileges to protect the system from potential errors, as configurations made from the root user can seriously affect the system in case of mistakes. This way, commands can be reviewed before execution since they will have the prefix sudo, making them easily identifiable.
4. SSH Key Authentication
SSH key authentication through a public key will provide better security for your server. This is because a two-factor verification system will be used with a public key and a private key that will function as two sides of the same coin. The server will store the public key and use it to authenticate the private key.
5. Firewall Configuration
This last recommendation falls under the category of essential security measures for managing VPS security. Configuring both an internal and external firewall will protect the server from unauthorized or unverified access. Remember that applying any rule in the firewall automatically affects the entire system, so only the rules that are necessary should be applied.
In addition to the general recommendations we’ve provided, we should highlight some sections of an unmanaged VPS that may be the most useful when beginning to configure its use or familiarizing yourself with server management.
- Monitoring Section
This section helps monitor the chosen ports and services so you can receive alerts via email. For example, this can notify you of server failures.
- NFS Backup Section
This section shows data about NFS backup configurations so you can know how much space you're using. The available space on the NFS resource will determine the need to expand your contracted unmanaged VPS package. Additionally, remember that resource configuration and backup creation depend on the service setup.
- Resource Configurator Section
This section allows you to access and configure all your VPS resources, where you can increase or decrease them as necessary. For example, you can increase the number of available CPUs and RAM as needed.
- Expansion Section
In this section, you can upgrade your VPS plan. For example, you can add features like a professional firewall for increased security, Plesk Panel and Plesk Plugins, NFS Backups for easy data protection, among others.
- Logs Section
In this section, you can review the actions performed on the panel to monitor all processes. You can check the user who made the changes, the date and time, the IP address used to access, the country, and a brief description of the action.
By understanding the usefulness of these sections in managing an unmanaged VPS, it will be possible to more efficiently handle this system. Additionally, by following security protocols, the full potential of the VPS can be maximized.
Conclusion
Opting for an unmanaged VPS means assuming responsibility for its management and operation. Therefore, it should be decided after evaluating the capabilities of the personnel responsible for the company’s systems, to determine whether to hire a managed or unmanaged VPS system without putting operations at risk due to errors or inadequate practices.
Adopting more specialized management systems and carrying out the virtualization of operations always implies growth, but also taking on the new risks that arise. However, with proper management of the processes, the features can be fully leveraged and enhanced according to the organization's growth.
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