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Thread: Managing VPS

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
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    77

    Managing VPS

    Hello,

    I'm new to the VPS service, but have experience managing linux.

    I have some question regarding running remote linux VPS:

    Do I have console access to the VPS?

    Can I run software updates like "yum update"?

    What abut kernel updates?

    I there any limitation on what I can install on the VPS?

    How can I reset the VPS if it hang?



    Regards,
    Addady

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Butler,TN
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    Hi!
    An easy one!

    1) No..I've never seen a vps come with KVM/console. Access is through SSH and (normally) a custom control panel.

    2) I guess that depends if Yum is installed! Speaking only for openvz..Some vps's don't even come with yum..and it has to be installed by you. yes..if Yum is installed..you can run "yum update"..certainly. up2date and yum upgrade are out, though.

    3) The only type of vps that allows for a custom kernel is vmware vps's..in my experience. I've never seen that anywhere else.

    4) Of course. It all depends on resource allocations: cpu time is not a big factor..but memory and hard drive are..I've had many a install fail due to good ole
    privvmpages on both openvz and virtuozzo.

    5) Normally..yes. This is done via a custom control panel supplied by the host.
    With Virtuozzo..this can be accomplished though the power panel.

    Alrighty! Done!

    Bryon
    Bryon L Harvey
    Soil Relocation Engineer

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    Do I have console access to the VPS?
    almost all VPS providers give you root login access.

    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    Can I run software updates like "yum update"?
    Of course!

    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    What abut kernel updates?
    Virtuozzo VPS kernels are configured by swsoft and they provide kernel updates for VPS themselves.

    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    I there any limitation on what I can install on the VPS?
    Almost there is no limitation, but there is a little exceptions.
    These exceptions wouldn't make any sense for hosting business.

    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    How can I reset the VPS if it hang?
    Virtuozzo has power panel for clients. you can use that to reboot, reinstall, backup and etc your VPS.
    DWS (Desktop Whois System), an easy to use desktop application to whois domains in many TLDs...

    IR5.Net Europe Shared Hosting, Reseller accounts and VPS Provider...

  4. #4
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    Hi!
    Console access is not root access..

    Bryon
    Bryon L Harvey
    Soil Relocation Engineer

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Posts
    77
    Hi,

    Thank you for all the answers.

    I'm use CentOS Linux I run on daily base "yum update"
    What going to happen when the is new kernel RPM?

    What are you guise doing regarding all the security package updates?

    Not updating mean that the OS is unsecured.


    Regards,
    Addady

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by bryonhost1
    Console access is not root access..
    I know, but usually console access is used as root access. a wrong used phrase, I just said root access is available.

    Quote Originally Posted by addady
    What are you guise doing regarding all the security package updates?
    Due to different kernels using Virtuozzo VPS, sometimes bugs are not available on VPS. but if a bug has effect on VPS too, we have to wait for swsoft updates.
    I've never seen anyone be familiar with VPS kernels, but I bet somes do.
    DWS (Desktop Whois System), an easy to use desktop application to whois domains in many TLDs...

    IR5.Net Europe Shared Hosting, Reseller accounts and VPS Provider...

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Due to different kernels using Virtuozzo VPS, sometimes bugs are not available on VPS. but if a bug has effect on VPS too, we have to wait for swsoft updates.
    I've never seen anyone be familiar with VPS kernels, but I bet somes do.
    So do you run all the updates except kernel?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
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    Butler,TN
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    Hi!
    Actually...it up to the host to update the kernel. Again..I have no experience as a Virtuozzo host..but updates can be automatically done using yum by the host.

    I think the kernel is on a don't update list. I have not learned how it does it..but that it does. I don't think it would matter...even if it downloaded the kernel RPM..I think the system has been designed to accomidate for it and ignore it.

    Console access is console access. Either it is local (you are sitting at the computer) or you are using a kvm (or kvm-like) remote console.

    SSH access is very different...and..trust me...we need not get the two confused.
    Console does not need a port open to connect...SSH must have...or it can't work.

    I know..I've had to use console access with a yet-another (cough) misadventure with a firewall that decided to ignore the instrustions I gave it..and block *ALL* ports. It's a very good thing to have access to...other things happen...and that's the only way to fix it.

    If there are security updates in the update...they get installed on the vps. After all...a security update for ubuntu would not work to well on the main node that
    that runs a differerent OS..in my case...it's always Centos.

    Bryon
    Bryon L Harvey
    Soil Relocation Engineer

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
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    Many Xen VPS providers that I have experience with actually gives you console access. Some via SSH to a specific port, and some via web-based terminal emulation program (SliceHost & AjaxTerm for example).

    Console access is good as it is like having a KVM without the actual hardware, and it connects directly to getty running on /dev/tty1 (instead of pseudo tty). Very useful when you are locked outside the mis-configured firewall or mis-configured network routing.

    With Virtuozzo/OpenVZ, it should be *possible* to provide console access using something like 'vzctl enter' to jump right into the VPS without going through the network. I haven't seen anyone doing that. Maybe for security reason.

    Scott

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Location
    Butler,TN
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    Hi!
    Interesting..you know..I was thinking along the same lines. Logged in to the main node as root...I can do anything I want with a running vps by using:

    vzctl exec <vpsnumber> <command>

    as:

    vzctl exec 854 service httpd start

    enter may work as well..I don't think it's in the manual.

    It is a interesting idea..and I may incorporate it into my control panel <groan>..uhhh..later!

    Bryon
    Bryon L Harvey
    Soil Relocation Engineer

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Butler,TN
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    Hi!
    Excellent! it does indeed work on openvz!

    vzctl enter <vpsnumber>

    Thank ya! Thank ya berry much!

    Bryon
    Bryon L Harvey
    Soil Relocation Engineer

  12. #12
    You can do virtually anything on a vps, you are only limited by the amout of memory/harddisk space, and perhaps cpu power.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Labrador, Canada
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    988
    Quote Originally Posted by Silvest
    You can do virtually anything on a vps...
    That made me smile -- no offense intended!

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