# Linux VPS at HyperDC: what you get and how to start > What a HyperDC Linux VPS includes: KVM, root access, a dedicated IPv4 address, current Linux images and optional panels, and your first steps. Difficulty: Beginner\ Tested on: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Debian 12, Debian 13 A HyperDC Linux VPS is a virtual private server on KVM: your own Linux system with full root access, a dedicated IPv4 address and the resources your plan allocates. This guide explains what is included, how to choose the image and what to do in the first hour. Compare plans on the [Linux VPS](/linux-vps-hosting) page. ## What you get - **KVM virtualization.** Your server boots its own kernel. You can install any software the distribution supports, load kernel modules and run containers. - **Full root access** over SSH. - **One dedicated IPv4 address**, so you can point domains and certificates at it directly. - **SSD storage** and the CPU and memory listed for your plan. - **Free weekly and monthly backups.** Keep your own off-site copies as well; see [backup strategy](/guides/backup-strategy-3-2-1). - **A choice of locations.** The order form lists the data centers for each plan; see [choose a data center location](/guides/choose-a-data-center-location). - **Outbound port 25 is closed by default.** For services bought for a term of 3 months or longer, it is opened on request when you open a support ticket. Until then, send mail through a relay on port 587. A VPS does not offer nested virtualization. If you need to run your own virtual machines or emulators, choose a [VDS](/guides/vds-nested-virtualization). ## Choose the image Pick a current long-term support release for a new server: | Distribution | Notes | |---|---| | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Standard support until May 2031 | | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Widely documented, standard support until May 2029 | | Debian 13 | Standard support until August 2028, Debian LTS until June 2030 | | AlmaLinux 10 / Rocky Linux 10 | RHEL-compatible, security updates until May 2035 | Older images, such as CentOS 7, Ubuntu 18.04 or Debian 10 and 11, no longer receive free security updates. Use them only when existing software requires it. ### Control panels You can run the server without a panel, or choose one in the order form. HestiaCP, CyberPanel and aaPanel are free options; cPanel, cPanel with CloudLinux and Plesk are paid options whose price the order form shows. Choosing a panel at order time saves you installing it yourself; some panels are also offered as ready-made images. ## From order to a secured server 1. **Order** and pay the first invoice: [create an account and order](/guides/create-account-and-order). 2. **Find the login details** in the welcome email: IP address, `root` and the password. 3. **Connect over SSH:** [connect to your Linux server](/guides/connect-to-linux-server-ssh). 4. **Secure the server** in the first hour: [secure a new Linux server](/guides/secure-a-new-linux-server). 5. **Point your domain** at the server: [point a domain to your server](/guides/point-domain-to-server). ## Check your resources Once logged in, confirm what the server has: ```bash nproc free -h lsblk df -h / ip -brief address ``` **Verify:** `nproc` shows the number of vCPUs, `free -h` the memory, `lsblk` the disk, and `ip -brief address` your public IPv4 address, matching **Primary IP** on the service page. ## Common next steps - **Containers:** install Docker from Docker's official repository: [install Docker on Ubuntu](/guides/install-docker-ubuntu). - **Firewall:** [UFW firewall](/guides/ufw-firewall). - **Automatic security updates:** [automatic updates](/guides/automatic-updates). - **Reverse DNS** for a mail server: [reverse DNS (PTR)](/guides/reverse-dns-ptr). ## Growing Move to a bigger plan from the client area when you need more CPU, memory or disk: [upgrade or downgrade a service](/guides/upgrade-or-downgrade-service). Disks cannot be made smaller, so moving to a plan with a smaller disk means a new server and a restore. Moving to a VDS or a dedicated server is a migration to a new server. ## Troubleshooting **I cannot connect after the order.** Check that the invoice is paid and the service is **Active**, then see [SSH connection problems](/guides/ssh-connection-problems). **The server feels slow.** Measure first: [high CPU or memory usage](/guides/high-cpu-memory). **The disk is full.** See [disk full](/guides/disk-full). ## Next steps - Compare lines: [VPS vs VDS vs dedicated server](/guides/vps-vs-vds-vs-dedicated-server). - Moving from another host? [Move a website without downtime](/guides/move-website-without-downtime). ## Frequently asked questions ### Which virtualization do Linux VPS plans use? KVM. Each server runs its own Linux kernel, so you can load kernel modules, run Docker and configure the system as on any Linux machine. ### Is a dedicated IPv4 address included? Yes. Every Linux VPS plan includes one dedicated IPv4 address. If your project needs more addresses, contact us before you order. ### Which Linux distribution should I choose? A current long-term release: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS or 24.04 LTS, Debian 13, AlmaLinux 10 or Rocky Linux 10. Choose an older image only when existing software requires it, and plan an upgrade. ### Are backups included? Yes. Free weekly and monthly backups are included. For data that changes often, also keep copies of your own off the server, so you can restore exactly the version you need. ### Can I run Docker or my own virtual machines? Docker, yes: it runs like on any Linux machine. Your own virtual machines need nested virtualization, which VPS plans do not offer; choose a VDS for that. --- Source: \ Updated: 2026-10-09