Overview
Setting your Dedicated Server to unmanaged in the DreamHost panel gives you full root access and stops DreamHost from handling key configurations like software updates and web server setup. You become responsible for managing Apache or Nginx, security settings, operating system updates, and other server-level configuration, so this option best suits users with advanced technical knowledge or specific customization needs.
Please consider the following before switching:
- Apache and Nginx configurations must be handled by you, DreamHost doesn’t set these up automatically.
- You can update the operating system on your own, or contact support for assistance.
- You may request a security scan for hosted websites by submitting a ticket, however DreamHost is not responsible for security threats that occur due to custom configurations.
- If your server becomes non-functional due to changes, DreamHost is able to re-image it for a $100.00 (USD) fee.
How do I set a Dedicated Server to unmanaged?
To configure your server:
- Navigate to the Servers & Usage page.
- Click the Manage button to the right of your server.
- Under Server Configuration, toggle the Web Server to deactivate this feature.
DreamHost will then stop applying major updates automatically, giving you full control over your web server settings.