Overview
This article explains how to change your Dedicated Server to unmanaged in your DreamHost panel.
Background
When you set your server to unmanaged, DreamHost no longer handles key configurations such as software updates or web server configurations. You gain full root access, which means you're responsible for managing Apache or Nginx, security settings, operating system updates, and other server-level configurations.
This option is best suited for 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.
Setting a Dedicated Server to unmanaged
To configure your server:
- Navigate to the Servers 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.