> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.breezehost.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with VPS

> Order your VPS, choose an operating system, and configure initial security settings

# Getting Started with VPS

This guide walks you through ordering a VPS at Breeze Hosting, selecting your operating system, and performing critical security configuration.

## Ordering Your VPS

Follow these steps to order your first VPS through our dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Visit the Billing Panel">
    Navigate to [dash.breezehost.xyz](https://dash.breezehost.xyz) and log in with your Breeze account credentials. If you don't have an account, create one by clicking "Register".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse VPS Plans">
    Click on "Services" or "Products" in the main menu and select "VPS Hosting". You'll see our available VPS plans with different CPU, RAM, and storage configurations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Plan">
    Select a plan that matches your needs. Plans vary by CPU, RAM, and storage — browse the available options on the site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Operating System">
    Choose your preferred Linux distribution from the available options during checkout.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Additional Options">
    Review and configure:

    * **Hostname**: Set your server's hostname
    * **Additional IPs**: Optional extra IP addresses
    * **Backup Service**: Add automated backups if available
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and Checkout">
    Review your order summary, select your billing cycle (monthly, quarterly, annual), and proceed to checkout. Complete payment using your preferred method.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Server Deployment">
    Your server will be deployed automatically within minutes. You'll receive an email with your server IP address and root password once provisioning is complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## After Your VPS is Deployed

Once you receive your server credentials, you'll have:

* **Server IP Address**: Used to connect and configure DNS
* **Root Username**: Usually "root"
* **Root Password**: Your initial login password (change this immediately)
* **SSH Port**: Usually 22 (standard SSH port)

## Your First SSH Login

### On Linux/Mac

Open your terminal and connect:

```bash theme={null}
ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
```

You'll be prompted for the password. Enter the root password from your welcome email.

### On Windows

Use a terminal application like:

* **Windows Terminal** (built-in)
* **PuTTY** (free SSH client)
* **WSL 2** (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

In Windows Terminal:

```powershell theme={null}
ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
```

<Warning>
  The first time you connect, you may see a security warning about the server's SSH key fingerprint. Type "yes" to accept and continue. This is normal.
</Warning>

## Critical Security: Change Your Root Password

Your first action should be to change the root password from the temporary one provided.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connected to SSH">
    You should be logged in as root.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run passwd Command">
    Type the command:

    ```bash theme={null}
    passwd
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Current Password">
    Enter your current root password (from the welcome email)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter New Password">
    Create a strong, unique password (15+ characters, mix of upper/lowercase, numbers, symbols)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm New Password">
    Re-enter your new password to confirm
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to generate and store complex passwords securely.
</Tip>

## Basic Security Hardening

After changing your password, implement these essential security measures.

### 1. Update Your System

```bash theme={null}
apt update && apt upgrade -y
```

This updates your package manager and installs security patches. (Commands shown for Ubuntu/Debian; use `yum` or `dnf` for CentOS/AlmaLinux/Rocky)

### 2. Configure Firewall (UFW)

UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is built into Ubuntu/Debian.

```bash theme={null}
# Enable UFW
ufw enable

# Allow SSH (critical - don't lock yourself out!)
ufw allow 22/tcp

# Allow HTTP and HTTPS
ufw allow 80/tcp
ufw allow 443/tcp

# Check firewall status
ufw status
```

<Warning>
  Always allow SSH (port 22) before enabling the firewall, or you'll lock yourself out.
</Warning>

### 3. Set Up SSH Key Authentication

Using SSH keys is more secure than passwords. Generate a key pair on your local machine:

**On Linux/Mac:**

```bash theme={null}
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"
```

Follow the prompts. Your keys are saved to `~/.ssh/id_ed25519` (private) and `~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub` (public).

**Copy your public key to the server:**

```bash theme={null}
ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
```

Or manually append your public key to `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` on the server.

### 4. Disable Root Password Login (Optional but Recommended)

Once SSH keys are working, you can disable password-based root login:

```bash theme={null}
# Edit SSH configuration
nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
```

Find these lines and modify them:

```
PermitRootLogin prohibit-password
PasswordAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes
```

Save (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter). Restart SSH:

```bash theme={null}
systemctl restart sshd
```

<Warning>
  Test your SSH key login before disabling password authentication. Open a new terminal and verify `ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP` works before restarting SSH.
</Warning>

### 5. Create a Regular (Non-Root) User

Running everything as root is risky. Create a regular user:

```bash theme={null}
adduser myusername
usermod -aG sudo myusername
```

Replace "myusername" with your preferred username. The `sudo` group allows administrative commands with `sudo`.

## Next Steps

Congratulations! Your VPS is now secure and ready for applications.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Managing Your VPS" icon="sliders" href="/vps/managing-vps">
    Learn to start, stop, restart, and reinstall your VPS through the dashboard.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Networking Guide" icon="network-wired" href="/vps/networking">
    Configure DNS, firewalls, and reverse proxies for your applications.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Proxmox Details" icon="server" href="/vps/proxmox-panel">
    Understand the virtualization technology powering your VPS.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Keep your server updated with regular `apt update && apt upgrade` runs. Security patches are critical for maintaining a secure system.
</Note>