In our blogs on Zebyte Cloud, we have discussed many times how VPS is a boon for small and medium businesses. (You may check them here - VPS Hosting Blogs)

It is for this reason, that VPS offers the best of both worlds. It provides more reliability and data security as compared to shared hosting while being more affordable than dedicated hosting.

However, when it comes to VPS management, businesses often face technical issues. Many organizations opt for managed VPS so they can focus on business and leave technical issues to be handled by the hosting provider.

This may be a good idea for those who can afford a managed VPS. However, those facing financial limitations must tackle the technical intricacies themselves. This is why we have decided, to initiate a series on VPS management from the beginning.

In this blog, we will start with the most basic step—how to restart a VPS.

There are several benefits and many ways to restart a VPS. In this blog, we will specifically discuss how to restart your VPS using the PuTTy client.

Why Restart a VPS?

This is an obvious question. Let me answer it by asking you another question: What is the first thing you do when your phone hangs? What do you do when your laptop becomes too unresponsive?

Before digging deeper into the issue or taking your device for repair, we usually opt for a restart.

This is the same with VPS management. Whatever changes you want to make or technical issues you want to solve, you need to initiate a restart first.

Here are some specific reasons why it is important to reboot a VPS:

• Testing the reboot function: As mentioned above, the reboot command is a basic step in VPS management. It's essential for various functions, so it’s wise to test the restart function before you actually need it for critical updates.
• Hardware Replacement: You might need to restart your VPS when replacing hardware in the server. If you are managing your VPS independently, monitoring and replacing hardware is your responsibility.
• Software Updates: Your software may receive updates that rectify numerous issues, fix security vulnerabilities, and enhance overall performance. In this case, a shutdown command may be necessary before applying the update.

What is PuTTy?

To connect your device to the server, an emulator is required. It establishes the connection between your computer and the server. If you need to access the server for any reason, such as updating software or making changes, you have to connect using the SSH connection. This protocol ensures secure communication between your computer and the server.

To deploy the SSH protocol, there are various methods. Several SSH clients can be utilized for server connection. Here are a few options:

• PuTTy
• OpenSSH
• EasySSH
• Cyberduck
• Solar-PuTTy
• WinSCP
• MobaXterm

Among these, PuTTy is the most popular and widely used. PuTTy is a free emulator that acts as a command terminal, providing access to the server. It is favored by developers for effortless management and seamless VPS connection, supporting various Linux-based machines.

How to Restart Your VPS Using PuTTy

1. Open the PuTTy client: Launch the terminal window.
2. Enter your server IP: Use the IP address of your VPS.
3. Log in: Provide the server username and user password for access.
4. Initiate the SSH connection: You may use the ssh command to establish a connection.
5. Use the command prompt: Enter the systemctl command for managing services.
6. Execute the restart process: You can use the reboot command or a shutdown command with the force option for a forceful restart if necessary.

By mastering these essential commands, you can effectively manage your VPS. Remember, regular restarts can help in maintaining performance and resolving common errors.

For further assistance, consider engaging with the online community on platforms like Stack Exchange or consulting installation guides for specific configuration tasks.

This approach gives you a comprehensive level of control over your VPS, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.