Set up an Unmanaged VPS for Newbies – VPS BIBLE

Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

• 

  Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

  Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
• 

  VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated

  Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
• 

  Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution

  Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
• 

  Set Up Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY

  Now we’ve got a server to play with, we’ll connect to it, using the ’ssh’ protocol for a super-secure link.
• 

  Create a Linux User & Set Permissions

  Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
• 

  Encrypt Data with OpenSSH & Auto-Login with PuTTY

  Now we can use ‘authentication keys’ to shore up our connection while simplifying login to an automated, password-free yet secure process.
• 

  Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall

  The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
• 

  Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates

  We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
• 

  Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS

  To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
• 

  Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix

  In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
• 

  Install PHP5 & MySQL – The One-Stop FastCGI Index Page

  Add PHP5 & MySQL, but which FastCGI method is best? Here’s the benchmarking, 4 ways to install/compile, add caching modules & more.
• 

  Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server

  Let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
• 

  Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)

  There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
• 

  Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts

  We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
• 

  Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx

  Need a sub-domain? If you do, here’s how to add subDomain.yourSite.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file.
• 

  Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc

  For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
• 

  Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email

  GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
• 

  Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site

  Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.

• 

  Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide

  Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
• 

  VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated

  Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
• 

  Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution

  Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
• 

  Create a Basic Local to Remote Server SSH Connection

  Let’s gain an initial connection to the VPS server in the most basic way, using a password and the ssh protocol.
• 

  Create a Linux User & Set Permissions

  Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
• 

  Setup openSSH for Linux-to-Linux

  Now to create ‘authentication keys’ to shore up a local-remote connection while easing login to an automated, password-free process.
• 

  Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall

  The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
• 

  Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates

  We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
• 

  Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS

  To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
• 

  Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix

  In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
• 

  Install PHP5 & MySQL – The One-Stop FastCGI Index Page

  Add PHP5 & MySQL, but which FastCGI method is best? Here’s the benchmarking, 4 ways to install/compile, add caching modules & more.
• 

  Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server

  Let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
• 

  Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)

  There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
• 

  Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts

  We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
• 

  Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx

  Need a sub-domain? If you do, here’s how to add subDomain.yourSite.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file.
• 

  Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc

  For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
• 

  Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email

  GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
• 

  Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site

  Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.

Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration

Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration

• 

  Nginx Control Panel: Here’s the Deal

  You’re migrating shared-to-VPS and want a GUI like cPanel? No you don’t, not after you read this! What’s more, you don’t need one either.
• 

  Nginx Control Panel Workarounds

  For every control panel module there’s an equivalent (and faster) terminal command. Let’s compare these.
• 

  Upgrade to Nginx Latest Version with ZERO Downtime

  Keep Nginx up-to-date – and optimized for security. This guide shows precisely how *with no missed server requests*.
• 

  Compile an Advanced Nginx Module Configuration

  Need special web server functions? Here’s how to install or upgrade Nginx with bespoke required modules & parameters.
• 

  Add Web Sites Nginx Cheatsheet

  Once you’ve set up your first site, adding more gets easier. Especially when you refer to this. (Let’s face it, I’m just too good to you.)
• 

  Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx

  Rather than add somesite.tld, maybe you want some.subsite.tld? Here’s how to set your A record using a DNS manager and the vhost file for Nginx.
• 

  Add/Delete MySQL Database from Command Line

  Need a database? Want to bin an old db? This tutorial shows you how using the terminal command line console whatnot.
• 

  Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL

  Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
• 

  Backup/Export MySQL DB with CLI & mysqldump

  Here’s how to backup a database from the command line using the handy mysqldump utility.
• 

  Import MySQL Database using Command Line

  Import data to a new database with this simple mysqldump guide .. great for reinstating an old backed-up db, for instance.
• 

  Batch Replace/Delete Data in MySQL Database

  Change repetitive db data with a single command. Rather than manually find & alter each instance, isolate the lot & update multiple content.
• 

  LOST a MySQL Password? How to RESET it

  Lost your MySQL password? That’s a bit of a bummer .. or it would be if you didn’t have this new password setup guide, huh.
• 

  Backup or Upload with Secure Copy SCP (Linux to Linux)

  Never mind FTP m8! Save time and download/upload your files using encrypted SCP (secure copy), the #1 Linux-Linux file transfer solution.
• 

  Backup or Upload with PuTTY PSFTP (Windows/Linux)

  Equivalent to the above, how to transfer your files if you’re unlucky enough to be running Windows for your local PC. Not that I’m biased.
• 

  *USEFULLY* Park A Spare Domain with Nginx

  Got a spare domain name sat around doing nothing? Put it to some use, have it point its traffic at your primary domain. Here’s the deal ..
• 

  Password Protect Nginx Web Files/Directories

  Maybe you want a hidden website directory, say, for projects, or are developing a site and want it off-limits ’till launch day. Top tip ..
• 

  Redirect Web Pages with Nginx Rewrite Rule

  Here’s the syntax to point a site or blog to another domain. That way, for instance, traffic from a passive site benefits an active one.
• 

  Nginx Error & Access Logs

  Need to troubleshoot some error, or want to find out who’s trying to hack your site? Here’s a start .. those tell-tale logs.
• 

  Subversion for Easy CMS Updates ie WordPress/Drupal/etc

  A brief introduction to install and know about the power of Subversion, the version control system to keep scripts and platforms up-to-date.
• 

  You Tell Me …

  Something missing? Probably. Let me know what you’d like included. And if it’s listed below, shout out anyhow and I’ll try to bump it.