Getting Started With A Dedicated Server
A dedicated server is a physical server located in one of our data centres. Unlike Web Hosting plans, also known as "shared hosting", which are technically managed OVHcloud's servers, dedicated servers are yours to manage.
This guide will help with the initial steps to managing your dedicated server.
- Access to the OVHcloud control panel - A dedicated server in OVHcloud account – Administrative access (root), via SSH or remote desktop (Windows), to your server
This guide is for Eco products.
Instructions
When your dedicated server arrives, you will be able select the operating system that will be installed.
Reinstalling or installing your dedicated server
You can easily reinstall your server or choose a different OS in your OVHcloud Control Panel. From the General information tab, click on ... next to the operating system and then click Install.
Select one of these installation options from the popup windows
Install from an OVHcloud template: You can select the OS and customise the server configuration. Install one your templates: You will need to have at least one server configured saved to be able to apply a customized template. To do this, check the option Save this installation in step 4 of the installation process. Install from custom image: This allows you to install an external image on the server. To learn more about this functionality, please refer the BYOI manual.
Additional fees may be required for certain proprietary operating systems and platforms, such as Plesk and Windows. You can purchase licences through OVHcloud or an external reseller. You will need to apply your license either in the operating software or via your OVHcloud Control Panel.
All your licences are accessible in the Bare Metal Cloud section. You can order or add licences in this section by clicking on the Actions link.
Click Next to continue.
After selecting Install from OVHcloud template, you will be able to select the operating systems from the drop-down menus.
You can modify the partitioning scheme of your operating systems by checking the box "Customise the configuration" before clicking on Next.
Once you're done with your adjustments click Next.
Optional: Adding an SSH Key
You can add your SSH key to an operating system that is GNU/Linux-based in the final step of the installation.
If you already have an SSH key registered, it will be listed in the drop-down menu under "SSH keys" at the bottom. If not, you will need one to be added in the "My services” section.
To do this, click on your name at the top right corner of the sidebar navigation and then use the shortcut Service management.
Switch to the SSH keys tab in "My Services" and click Add an SSH key.
When installing a dedicated server, ensure that you select "Dedicated" from drop-down menu. This is also applicable to a VPS.
In the new window, enter an ID (a name of your choice) and the key itself (of type RSA, ECDSA or Ed25519) into the respective fields.
For a detailed explanation on how to generate SSH keys, please refer to this guide.
OVHcloud provides you services for which you are responsible. This includes their management and configuration. You are therefore responsible for ensuring they function correctly.
This guide is intended to help you with common tasks. We recommend that you seek professional assistance if you have any questions about the administration, usage, and implementation of services on servers.
Logging on to your server
After installation is completed, an email with instructions for admin access will be sent. You can connect to your server through a command terminal or with a third-party client by using SSH which is a secure communication protocol.
The following examples will help you log on to your server. You can replace the credentials with your real information (IP address, server reference name)
Example with root:
Example with a pre-configured user:
This guide will provide more information about SSH.
Once the installation is completed, you will receive an email containing your password for administrative (root) access. These credentials will be required to connect to the server via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). After logging in, Windows will guide you through an intial setup.
Please also refer to our guide on Configuring a new Windows Server installation.
Restarting your dedicated server
Sometimes a reboot is necessary to update configurations or fix an issue. If possible, use the command line to perform a "soft restart".
However, you can carry out a "hard reboot" at any time in your OVHcloud Control Panel. Click on the General information tab. Next to "Status", click on... and then click Restart.
Securing your dedicated server
As explained in the "Objective" section of this guide, you are the administrator of your dedicated server. As such, you are responsible for your data and its security. This guide will help you secure your server.
OVHcloud Monitoring
You can set the monitoring status to a dedicated server via the General information tab of your OVHcloud Control Panel. (section Service status).
If Monitoring is enabled, you will be notified via email each time the server behaves unexpectedly. You can disable these messages by clicking on the... button.
This guide has more information on OVHcloud Monitor.
Configure your network
Network bridging
Network bridging is the action taken by network equipment to create an aggregate network from either two or more communication networks, or two or more network segments. Bridging is different from routing, which allows networks to communicate independently but remain separate.
The Network Bridge configuration is most often used in virtualisation to allow Virtual Machines to have their own public IP addresses.
Refer to our guide Network Bridging for more information.
IP aliasing
IP aliasing involves associating more than one IP address to the same network interface. This allows your server to establish multiple connections to a network, each serving a different purpose.
For detailed instructions on how to configure IP aliasing, please refer to this guide.
Configuration IPv6
All OVHcloud dedicated servers come with a /64 block IPv6. You will need some network configuration changes to be able to use the addresses in this block. Please refer to our guide: IPv6 Configuration.
Rescue mode
To resolve any type of issue, you should first reboot your server into rescue from your OVHcloud Control Panel. This is a good way to identify any server issues and exclude software-related issues before you contact our support teams.
Refer to the rescue mode guidelines.
Access using IPMI
OVHcloud deploys all dedicated servers with an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) console which runs in your browser or from a Java applet, and enables you to connect directly to your server even if it has no network connection. This makes it an excellent tool for troubleshooting issues that might have taken your server offline.
Refer to our guide: Using IPMI with dedicated server for more information.
Backup storage
OVHcloud dedicated server have access-controlled storage space as a complimentary service option. It can be used as a backup option in the event that the server loses data.
This guide will help you activate and use your backup storage.
Go further
Join our community of users on https://community.ovh.com/en/.
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