Configuring and connecting to a Self-managed VPS

Overview

A Self-managed VPS gives you full root access to a Linux environment that you configure, maintain, and secure yourself. You purchase and configure it in the DreamHost panel, then connect to your server over SSH once it finishes provisioning. For a description of the product, base OS choices, and the app library, see the Self-managed VPS overview.

How do I configure a Self-managed VPS?

To purchase and configure a Self-managed VPS:

1. Navigate to the Servers & Usage page.
2. Click the +Add Service button. A pop-up displays.
3. Select Self-Managed VPS from the list. The Self-Managed VPS page opens.
4. On this page, select a billing term (Monthly, Yearly, or 2 Years) and a plan size (Stack 4, 8, 16, or 32).
5. Click Select Plan. A cart page opens with your order.

Next, configure your server image, access, and domain on the cart page:

1. Under the Select Your Configuration section, choose a base OS or app image.

   • Base OS — Debian is the default OS. You can also choose Ubuntu or AlmaLinux.
   • Apps — Choose app images to add to your server.

   This selection cannot be changed after the server launches without reprovisioning.

2. Under the Secure VPS Access section, choose an authentication method (see the options below). The credentials you choose are set during provisioning and are not stored by DreamHost. Make sure to save your credentials during this step.
3. Under the Connect a Domain section, select an option to enter a domain name. This step is optional and can be configured after provisioning.
4. Click Submit Order.

Your server begins provisioning automatically. Once complete, it appears on the Servers & Usage page, where you can select the App Info tab to monitor your new server.

Authentication method — SSH key (recommended)

An SSH key lets you securely access your VPS without a password. You can either add a public key you've already created on your computer, or generate a new key pair directly in the panel.

Option 1 — Add an existing public key

First create a key pair on your Windows or Mac/Linux computer, then add the public key during configuration.

1. Click the Add New Key button.
2. In the Name field, enter a label to identify this key (for example, my-laptop).
3. Copy and paste the entire contents of your .pub key file into the SSH Key field. This was created when you originally created the key pair.
4. Click Save SSH Key.

Option 2 — Generate a new key in the panel

If you don't have an SSH key, the panel can generate an ed25519 key pair for you. The private key is displayed only once and is not stored by DreamHost, so you must save it before completing this step.

1. Click the Add New Key button.
2. In the Name field, enter a label to identify this key (for example, my-laptop).
3. Click Generate Key. The private key displays in the SSH Key field.

4. Click the Copy icon, then save the private key on your computer as a plain text file named id_ed25519 in your .ssh folder: 

   • Mac/Linux: ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
   • Windows: C:\Users\yourusername.ssh\id_ed25519
   If a file named id_ed25519 already exists in that folder, do not overwrite it. Save the new key with a different name (for example, ~/.ssh/dreamhost_vps) and use the -i flag when connecting (see below).

5. On Mac/Linux, set the correct permissions on the file:

   [local]$ chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
   

6. Click Save SSH Key.

   The private key is only displayed during this step and cannot be recovered afterward. If you lose it, you will need to provision a new server.

Authentication method — root password

A root password gives you full server control. It is not possible to set a custom password.

1. Click Generate Password.
2. Check the confirmation box, then click the Confirm button. A password is automatically generated and displayed once.
3. Click the eye icon to view the password.
4. Save this password somewhere safe, as it is not possible to view it after this order is complete.

How do I connect to my server?

Once your server finishes provisioning, connect to it over SSH:

1. Navigate to the Servers & Usage page.
2. Click Manage next to your new server.
3. Select the App tab. Here you will find the server's IP address, login user, and a ready-to-use SSH login command.
4. Run the command that matches your key (see below) to connect.

Default key name — If your key is in the default location (~/.ssh/id_ed25519), SSH detects it automatically. Use the command shown in the App tab:

[local]$ ssh user@your-server-ip

Custom key name — If you saved your key with a custom name or path, use the -i flag to specify it:

[local]$ ssh -i ~/.ssh/your-key-name user@your-server-ip

Replace ~/.ssh/your-key-name with the actual path to your private key file, and user with the login user shown in the App tab.

See also

• Self-managed VPS overview
• Creating a new Key pair in Windows
• Creating a new Key pair in Mac OS X or Linux
• Virtual Private Server (VPS) overview
• Refunds and Account Credits