--- title: "Getting started with a VPS" description: "Find out how to manage a VPS in your OVHcloud Control Panel and discover the first steps of its use, including remote connections and security measures" url: https://docs.ovhcloud.com/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/starting-with-a-vps lang: en lastUpdated: 2026-01-21 --- # Getting started with a VPS ## Objective A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a server that you fully administer. Unlike a managed web hosting service, you are responsible for the following: - Configuration: managing and setting up your server. - Security: protecting your VPS against attacks. - Maintenance: keeping the server up to date and operational. - Backups: regularly testing your backups to ensure data recovery. ## Requirements - An active [VPS](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/vps/) offer in your OVHcloud Control Panel. *** ### OVHcloud Control Panel Access - **Direct link:** VPS management - **Navigation path:** Bare Metal Cloud > Virtual private servers > Select your VPS *** ## Instructions To understand the management interface of your VPS and the available actions in the OVHcloud Control Panel, refer to our [guide dedicated to getting started with the OVHcloud Control Panel for VPS](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/understand-vps-control-panel.md). **Content overview** - [Step 1: Initial connection](#initial-connection) - [GNU/Linux distribution](#linuxconnect) - [Windows distribution](#winconnect) - [Step 2: Using the root account](#rootaccount) - [Step 3: Securing your VPS](#secure) - [Step 4: Linking a domain name](#domain) ### Step 1: Initial connection [](#) #### Linux: [](#) When you connect to your VPS for the first time, note that **the account you connect with is not root**. At OVHcloud, for security reasons and to protect our customers' services, we automatically create a **username linked to the operating system you selected** when you placed your order. The exact username to use for the connection is clearly indicated in your VPS delivery email. For example: - For **Debian**, the username will be **debian**. - For **Ubuntu**, the username will be **ubuntu**. - For **Rocky Linux**, the username will be **rocky**. The temporary password associated with this account is sent to you via a secure link in your delivery email. :::info **Important note**: during your **first connection**, you will be asked to **change this temporary password**. Once the password is changed, **the session will be automatically closed**. This is normal behavior. You will then need to **reconnect using your new password**. ::: ```bash ssh username@IPv4_VPS ``` - Replace "username" with the user corresponding to your OS. - Replace "IPv4\_de\_votre\_VPS" with the IP address indicated in your delivery email. #### Windows: [](#) ##### Finalising the installation of Windows Once the Windows operating system is installed, you receive an email with the default username `Windows user`. You will then need to complete the Windows installation process by setting your display language, keyboard layout, and administrator password. This is done in the VPS KVM console: in the `Home ` tab, click the `... ` button next to your VPS name in the **Your VPS** section and select `KVM `. Find more information about this tool in our "[KVM guide](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/using-kvm-for-vps.md)". To finalise the initial configuration of your Windows VPS, follow the steps below by browsing the tabs: **1. Regional settings** Once the KVM session is established, complete the initial Windows configuration by setting your **country/region**, preferred **Windows language**, and **keyboard layout**. Then click on the Next button in the bottom right. ![KVM](/images/assets/screens/other/windows/windows-locale.png) **2. Administrator password** Set a password for your Windows `Administrator`/`admin` account, confirm it, and then click Finish. ![KVM](/images/assets/screens/other/windows/windows-admin.png) **3. Login screen** Windows will apply your settings and then display the login screen. Click on the Send CtrlAltDel button in the top right to log in. ![KVM](/images/assets/screens/other/windows/windows-vnc.png) **4. Administrator login** Enter the `Administrator` password you created in the previous step and click on the `arrow`. ![KVM](/images/assets/screens/other/windows/windows-login.png) ##### Connecting to the server with RDP On your local Windows device, you can use the "Remote Desktop Connection" client application to connect to the VPS. ![Windows remote](/images/assets/screens/other/windows/windows-rdp.png) Enter the IPv4 address of your VPS, then your username and password. Usually, a warning message appears, asking you to confirm the connection due to an unknown certificate. Click `Yes ` to connect. You can also use another third-party application compatible with RDP. This is required if Windows is not installed on your local device. :::info If you experience difficulties with this procedure, check that remote connections (RDP) are allowed on your device by checking system settings, firewall rules, and possible network restrictions. ::: To facilitate troubleshooting in case of problems, we recommend **enabling Windows boot logs** by following our [dedicated guide](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/windows-boot-logs.md). ### Step 2: Using the root account (optional but recommended) [](#) The root user is disabled by default for the security of your product. For administrative tasks, use sudo from your main user: ```bash sudo command ``` If you wish to enable root: ```bash sudo passwd root ``` ### Step 3: Securing your VPS [](#) If you wish to secure your VPS, we recommend following our guide "[Securing a VPS](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/secure-your-vps.md)". This guide walks you through the process and details the following actions: - Updating the system. - Changing the default SSH listening port. - Configuring the internal firewall. - Installing fail2ban to block repeated login attempts. - Backing up your system and data. ### Step 4: Linking a domain name (optional but recommended) [](#) Putting your VPS online usually involves using and configuring a domain name. For this, we recommend performing the following actions: - [Edit the DNS zone](/en/guides/web-cloud/domains/dns-zone-edit.md) by adding the necessary entries to point the domain to the IPv4 address of your VPS. - [Enable a free SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt)](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/install-ssl-certificate.md) to secure access to your websites via HTTPS. ## Go further [VPS FAQ](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/vps-faq.md) [SSH introduction](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/dedicated-servers/ssh-introduction.md) [Securing a VPS](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/secure-your-vps.md) [How to recover access to the server in case of lost user password](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/dedicated-servers/replacing-user-password.md) Join our [community of users](https://community.ovhcloud.com/).