Step-by-Step VDS Server Setup Guide

1. Choose a VDS Provider

Start by selecting a reliable VDS provider such as DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, or any Turkey-based hosting provider for local projects.

2. Select Your VDS Plan

Choose a VDS plan that matches your project’s requirements. For small to medium-sized projects, the following resources are recommended:

• 2 CPU Cores

• 4-8 GB RAM

• 40-100 GB SSD Storage

3. Choose Your Operating System

Select an appropriate OS during the installation process. Popular options include:

• Ubuntu – Easy to use with strong community support.

• CentOS – Provides robust security and stability.

• Windows Server – Ideal for ASP.NET-based applications.

4. Connect to Your VDS

Once your OS is installed, connect to your VDS:

• For Windows: Use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

• For Linux: Use SSH via ssh root@yourserverip.

5. Configure Security Settings

After connecting, follow these security steps:

• Change Root Password: Set a strong and complex password.

• Install a Firewall: Use ufw (Ubuntu) or firewalld (CentOS).

• Change SSH Port: Changing the default SSH port from 22 improves security.

6. Install Required Software

Install the services your project requires:

• Apache/Nginx (Web server)

• MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL (Database server)

• PHP/Python/Node.js (Programming languages)

7. Install an SSL Certificate

To enhance security, install an SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

8. Point Your Domain to Your VDS

Update your domain’s DNS settings with an A record pointing to your VDS’s IP address.

9. Configure Backups and Recovery

Set up automated backup solutions to protect against data loss.

10. Performance and Security Testing

Perform performance and security tests to ensure optimal functionality:

• Use GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights for performance testing.

• Use SSL Labs for SSL security testing.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully set up and optimize your VDS server. Prioritizing security, performance, and backups ensures your server runs efficiently and securely.