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Operating System Selection

Choose the right operating system for your VPS based on your application requirements and expertise.

Available Operating Systems​

Linux Distributions​

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)

  • Long Term Support: 5 years of security updates
  • Package Management: APT package manager
  • Community: Largest community support
  • Use Cases: Web servers, development, general purpose

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)

  • Stable Release: Proven stability for production
  • Extended Support: Available until 2025
  • Legacy Compatibility: Better for older applications
  • Use Cases: Legacy applications, stable environments

CentOS Stream​

CentOS Stream 8

  • Enterprise Grade: Based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Package Management: YUM/DNF package manager
  • Security: SELinux enabled by default
  • Use Cases: Enterprise applications, security-focused deployments

Debian​

Debian 11 (Bullseye)

  • Stability: Known for rock-solid stability
  • Package Management: APT package manager
  • Minimal: Lightweight default installation
  • Use Cases: Servers, minimal installations, security-focused

Rocky Linux​

Rocky Linux 9

  • RHEL Compatible: 100% bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL
  • Community Driven: Community-maintained enterprise Linux
  • Enterprise Features: Advanced security and management tools
  • Use Cases: Enterprise environments, RHEL migration

AlmaLinux​

AlmaLinux 9

  • RHEL Alternative: Binary compatible with RHEL
  • CloudLinux Backed: Supported by CloudLinux
  • Enterprise Ready: Production-ready enterprise features
  • Use Cases: Enterprise applications, CentOS replacement

Windows Server​

Windows Server 2022​

  • Latest Features: Most recent Windows Server release
  • Enhanced Security: Advanced security features
  • Container Support: Windows containers and Kubernetes
  • Use Cases: .NET applications, Active Directory, Exchange

Windows Server 2019​

  • Proven Stability: Mature and stable release
  • Hybrid Cloud: Azure integration features
  • Container Support: Docker and Windows containers
  • Use Cases: Legacy .NET applications, stable environments

Windows Server 2016​

  • Legacy Support: For older applications
  • Nano Server: Lightweight server option
  • Container Introduction: First Windows Server with containers
  • Use Cases: Legacy applications, specific compatibility needs

Choosing the Right OS​

By Use Case​

Web Development​

Recommended: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

  • LAMP/LEMP Stack: Easy installation of web server components
  • Package Availability: Extensive package repositories
  • Documentation: Abundant tutorials and guides
  • Community Support: Large developer community

Enterprise Applications​

Recommended: Rocky Linux 9 or AlmaLinux 9

  • Enterprise Features: Advanced security and management
  • Compliance: Meets enterprise compliance requirements
  • Support: Commercial support available
  • Stability: Enterprise-grade stability

.NET Applications​

Recommended: Windows Server 2022

  • Native .NET Support: Optimal performance for .NET applications
  • IIS Integration: Built-in web server
  • Active Directory: Native directory services
  • Microsoft Ecosystem: Seamless integration with Microsoft tools

Containers & Microservices​

Recommended: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

  • Docker Support: Excellent Docker and container support
  • Kubernetes: Native Kubernetes support
  • Container Registries: Easy access to container registries
  • Orchestration: Support for various orchestration tools

Database Servers​

Recommended: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or Rocky Linux 9

  • Database Packages: Pre-compiled database packages
  • Performance Tuning: Kernel optimizations for databases
  • Security: Enhanced security features
  • Monitoring: Built-in monitoring tools

By Experience Level​

Beginners​

Recommended: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

  • User-Friendly: Intuitive package management
  • Documentation: Extensive beginner-friendly documentation
  • Community: Helpful community forums
  • GUI Options: Desktop environment available if needed

Intermediate Users​

Recommended: Debian 11 or CentOS Stream 8

  • Flexibility: More configuration options
  • Learning Opportunity: Deeper system understanding
  • Stability: Rock-solid stability
  • Customization: Highly customizable

Advanced Users​

Recommended: Rocky Linux 9 or Custom Images

  • Full Control: Complete system control
  • Enterprise Features: Advanced security and management
  • Customization: Extensive customization options
  • Performance: Fine-tuned performance optimization

Installation & Configuration​

Linux Post-Installation​

Initial Setup​

# Update system packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf update -y                      # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

# Install essential packages
sudo apt install curl wget git vim htop  # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install curl wget git vim htop  # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

Security Hardening​

# Configure firewall
sudo ufw enable                    # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo systemctl enable firewalld   # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

# Disable root login
sudo sed -i 's/PermitRootLogin yes/PermitRootLogin no/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
sudo systemctl restart sshd

# Create non-root user
sudo adduser username
sudo usermod -aG sudo username     # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo usermod -aG wheel username    # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

Web Server Setup​

# Install NGINX
sudo apt install nginx            # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install nginx            # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

# Install Apache
sudo apt install apache2          # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install httpd            # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

# Install PHP
sudo apt install php-fpm          # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install php-fpm          # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

Windows Post-Installation​

Initial Configuration​

  1. Windows Updates: Install all available updates
  2. Remote Desktop: Configure RDP access
  3. Firewall: Configure Windows Firewall
  4. User Accounts: Create administrative users

IIS Installation​

# Install IIS
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-WebServerRole

# Install ASP.NET
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-ASPNET45

.NET Framework​

# Install .NET Framework
# Download from Microsoft website or use Chocolatey
choco install dotnetfx

Package Management​

Ubuntu/Debian (APT)​

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Install package
sudo apt install package-name

# Remove package
sudo apt remove package-name

# Search packages
apt search keyword

# List installed packages
apt list --installed

Rocky/Alma/CentOS (DNF/YUM)​

# Update packages
sudo dnf update

# Install package
sudo dnf install package-name

# Remove package
sudo dnf remove package-name

# Search packages
dnf search keyword

# List installed packages
dnf list installed

Windows (PowerShell)​

# Install Chocolatey
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

# Install packages
choco install package-name

# Update packages
choco upgrade all

Performance Considerations​

Linux Optimization​

# Optimize kernel parameters
echo 'vm.swappiness=10' >> /etc/sysctl.conf
echo 'net.core.rmem_max=16777216' >> /etc/sysctl.conf
echo 'net.core.wmem_max=16777216' >> /etc/sysctl.conf

# Apply changes
sudo sysctl -p

Windows Optimization​

  1. Disable unnecessary services
  2. Configure virtual memory
  3. Optimize startup programs
  4. Configure Windows Update

Security Features​

Linux Security​

SELinux (Rocky/Alma/CentOS)​

# Check SELinux status
sestatus

# Set SELinux mode
sudo setenforce 1  # Enforcing
sudo setenforce 0  # Permissive

AppArmor (Ubuntu/Debian)​

# Check AppArmor status
sudo apparmor_status

# Manage profiles
sudo aa-enforce /path/to/profile
sudo aa-complain /path/to/profile

Fail2Ban​

# Install Fail2Ban
sudo apt install fail2ban        # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install fail2ban        # Rocky/Alma/CentOS

# Configure
sudo cp /etc/fail2ban/jail.conf /etc/fail2ban/jail.local
sudo systemctl enable fail2ban
sudo systemctl start fail2ban

Windows Security​

  1. Windows Defender: Enable real-time protection
  2. Windows Firewall: Configure inbound/outbound rules
  3. User Account Control: Enable UAC
  4. BitLocker: Encrypt drives (if supported)

Migration & Upgrades​

Linux Distribution Upgrades​

# Ubuntu LTS upgrade
sudo do-release-upgrade

# Debian upgrade
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

Windows Server Upgrades​

  1. In-place Upgrade: Upgrade existing installation
  2. Migration: Move to new server instance
  3. Backup: Always backup before upgrading

Troubleshooting​

Common Linux Issues​

  • Package conflicts: Use package manager to resolve
  • Permission issues: Check file/directory permissions
  • Service failures: Check systemd logs
  • Network issues: Verify network configuration

Common Windows Issues​

  • Service failures: Check Event Viewer
  • Permission issues: Verify user permissions
  • Network issues: Check network adapter settings
  • Update failures: Use Windows Update troubleshooter

Best Practices​

General​

  • Regular Updates: Keep OS and packages updated
  • Security Hardening: Follow security best practices
  • Monitoring: Set up system monitoring
  • Backups: Regular system backups

Linux Specific​

  • Use package managers: Avoid manual compilation when possible
  • Follow FHS: Adhere to Filesystem Hierarchy Standard
  • Log monitoring: Regularly check system logs
  • Service management: Use systemd for service management

Windows Specific​

  • Use PowerShell: Leverage PowerShell for automation
  • Group Policy: Use Group Policy for configuration
  • Event Logs: Monitor Windows Event Logs
  • Windows Features: Use Windows Features for role installation

Next Steps​