Welcome to your Hoopla Hosting Cloud VPS. This page is the best place to start. It explains what's included, how to manage your server, and how to log in, with links to step-by-step guides for each part.
What is a VPS?
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is your own server, with dedicated resources and full root access. You can install whatever software you need, such as websites, apps, databases or development tools, and configure it exactly how you like.
Self-managed: what we look after, and what you do
Our Cloud VPS plans are self-managed.
We look after:
- The hardware your VPS runs on
- The network and its uptime
- Your VPS management page in the client area
You look after:
- Installing and configuring your software
- Security, including updates, firewall and passwords
- Backups of your data, unless you've added VPS backups to your plan
- Troubleshooting and day-to-day administration
If you'd rather we manage the server for you, take a look at our Managed cPanel VPS plans.
Step 1: Find your login details
You'll need your VPS IP address, the username root, and the root password you chose when you ordered. We also email your login details when your VPS is set up.
Step 2: Get to know your VPS management page
In the client area, go to Services → My Services and click Manage next to your VPS. From there you can power your VPS off and on, reboot it, open a browser console, reinstall the operating system, see your IP addresses, and check your usage graphs.
- Manage your VPS from the client area
- Use the web console to access your VPS
- Reinstall your VPS with a different operating system
You can choose from AlmaLinux, Debian, Rocky Linux and Ubuntu, in several versions. If you need a different operating system or a custom ISO, open a support ticket and we'll help.
Step 3: Connect over SSH
SSH is how you log in to your server and run commands on it.
- Connect to your VPS over SSH from Windows
- Connect to your VPS over SSH from macOS or Linux
- Set up SSH keys to log in to your VPS securely
- Fix common SSH connection errors
Step 4: Secure and update your server
Once you've logged in, update your server straight away:
apt update && apt upgrade -y # Ubuntu/Debian
dnf upgrade -y # AlmaLinux/RockyThen set up SSH keys, change your root password if you'd like to, and set up a firewall that only allows the ports you need.
Step 5: Install your apps
Our Popular Linux Applications for VPS guides walk you through installing popular software, including:
Prefer a control panel? See How to manually install cPanel. You'll need a cPanel licence, which you can add to your plan.
Backups
If you've added VPS backups to your plan, click Login To Panel on your VPS's management page to see and restore them. If not, keep your own backups of anything important, stored off the server. You can add backups at any time using Upgrade/Downgrade on your VPS's management page.
Where is my VPS?
Our VPS platform runs in Auckland and Sydney. See Where are your servers located?
Need help?
If something on our side isn't working, such as the network, or your VPS won't boot, open a support ticket. Don't have a VPS yet? See our Cloud VPS plans.
