Computing history: from mainframe to your VPS
The VPS you rent is a direct descendant of 1960s time-sharing. Trace the line through CTSS, Multics, Unix, IBM VM/370, Xen and KVM, and what never changed.
#virtualization
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What Is a VPS? A Plain-English Answer
A VPS is a private server built with virtual machines or containers on shared hardware. Learn what root access gets you, and where the limits are.
Will it run on a VPS? Check before you buy
Before you buy a VPS, check these spec sheet lines: virtualisation type, /dev/net/tun, nested KVM, AES-NI, IPv6, GPU and the outbound port 25 block.
Incus system containers on a VPS
Incus gives you a container with its own init, users and services. Set one up on a VPS: virtualisation checks, storage pools, networking, and what breaks.
Proxmox at home vs renting a VPS
The real cost of a Proxmox box at home versus a rented VPS: hardware and power math, what each is better at, and the hybrid setup most people run.
VDS vs VPS: is there a difference?
VDS and VPS usually mean the same thing. Learn where the terms came from, and run four commands that show whether you bought a KVM machine or a container.
CPU steal time and noisy neighbours on a VPS
Steal time is the CPU your VPS was ready to use and never got. Learn to read the vmstat st column and to tell a noisy neighbour from your own overload.
Confidential computing on a VPS
On an ordinary VPS the host can read your guest memory. What AMD SEV-SNP and Intel TDX change, what attestation proves, and how to check the server you have.
Enable nested virtualization in Proxmox VE 9
Nested virtualization in Proxmox VE 9: check kvm_intel or kvm_amd, set nested=1 in modprobe.d, give the VM a host CPU, verify in the guest, or turn it off.
KVM vs Xen vs LXC: what your VPS runs
KVM, Xen and LXC decide whether your VPS has its own kernel, real swap, working nested virtualisation and honest steal time. Find out which one you bought.
Why your VPS clock drifts, and how to fix it
Your VPS has three clocks and only one matters. Find the drift, read chronyc and timedatectl output, and fix the sync that broke your 2FA login.