Author: Vasilenko Sergiy

Today we will talk about how to install the popular MetaTrader trading terminal on virtual server VPS with the Linux operating system.

Why use VPS for MetaTrader?

Using a virtual server (VPS) for trading on MetaTrader has a number of advantages:

• The well-known interface. A well-established interface, clear and uncluttered.
• 24/7 operation. Your trading terminal will work 24/7.
• Stability and speed. High-speed internet connection and minimal latency.
• Safety. VPS servers have a high level of data protection.

Preparing for installation

Before you start installing MetaTrader on a Linux VPS, you need to prepare the following:

• VPS with installed Linux OS (Ubuntu 20.04 or Debian 12).
• SSH client (for example, PuTTY).
• RDP client for remote access.

Step 1: Connect to the server via SSH

Launch PuTTY, enter the server IP address, click “Open” and enter your credentials.

Step 2: Installing the graphical shell and XRDP

sudo apt update sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop sudo apt install xrdp sudo systemctl enable xrdp sudo systemctl start xrdp

Step 3: Configure the Firewall

sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp sudo ufw enable

Step 4: Connect to the server via RDP

Open RDP client, enter VPS IP address and connect.

Step 5: Install Wine

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 sudo apt update sudo apt install wine64 wine32

Step 6: Download and Install MetaTrader

Download the MetaTrader installation file from your broker's official website and run the installation:

wine path_to_installation_file.exe

Step 7: Launch MetaTrader

wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/MetaTrader/terminal.exe

Installing MetaTrader on a Linux VPS may seem like a daunting task, but by following this guide you will be able to set up a working environment for effective trading.

Happy trading and stable connection!

If you decide to deploy Laravel on a virtual server (VPS/VDS) running Linux (in our case it was Ubuntu), but don't know where to start, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll look at installing Laravel on Ubuntu 20.04 — from preparing the environment to setting up the web server.

“Laravel is not just a framework, but an entire ecosystem for developing PHP applications. The simplicity of the syntax and powerful built-in tools make it the number one choice for many developers.”

Step 1: Preparing the VPS

Before installing Laravel, make sure your virtual server is updated. Run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

You will also need to create a user with sudo access and configure UFW (firewall). If all this is already done, let's move on!

Step 2: Install Composer

Laravel requires Composer, a package manager for PHP. Let's install it:

sudo apt install curl php-cli php-mbstring unzip git curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | php sudo mv composer.phar /usr/local/bin/composer

Let's check:

composer --version

If we see the version number, then everything is ok.

Step 3: Installing the LEMP stack

For Laravel to work, you need to deploy LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP):

sudo apt install nginx mysql-server php-fpm php-mysql

Launch and add to startup:

sudo systemctl enable --now nginx mysql php7.4-fpm

Step 4: Install Laravel

Now download Laravel:

cd /var/www sudo git clone https://github.com/laravel/laravel.git

Go to the project folder:

cd /var/www/laravel sudo composer install

Step 5: Setting up access rights

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/laravel sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/laravel sudo chmod -R 777 /var/www/laravel/storage

Now Laravel has the required permissions.

Step 6: Setting up the environment

Create a configuration file:

cp .env.example .env

Generate an application key:

php artisan key:generate

“The .env file is the heart of Laravel’s configuration. It’s where you set up database settings, operating modes, and other critical settings.”

Edit .env:

nano .env

Update database parameters:

DB_CONNECTION=mysql DB_HOST=127.0.0.1 DB_PORT=3306 DB_DATABASE=laravel DB_USERNAME=laravel DB_PASSWORD=your-password

Save the changes.

Step 7: Configure MySQL

Let's create a database and a user:

mysql -u root -p CREATE DATABASE laravel; CREATE USER 'laravel'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your-password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON laravel.* TO 'laravel'@'localhost'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; EXIT;

Step 8: Configure Nginx

Editing the config:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/laravel

Add:

server { listen 80; server_name your-domain.com; root /var/www/laravel/public; index index.php index.html index.htm; location / { try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string; } location ~ \.php$ { include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf; fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock; fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name; include fastcgi_params; } location ~ /\.(ht|git|env|svn) { deny all; } }

Save, create a symbolic link and restart Nginx:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/laravel /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/ sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 9: Test and Launch

Let's run database migrations:

php artisan migrate

Open your browser and go to https://sidata.com.ua. If everything is done correctly, we will see the Laravel start page!

Now Laravel is successfully running on your virtual server. As you can see, there is nothing complicated, the main thing is to follow the instructions and check for errors if something went wrong.

“The best way to learn Laravel is to deploy it on a VPS and start developing your first project!”

WordPress has long ceased to be just a tool for blogging. Today it is a full-fledged ecosystem, on which both small sites and huge marketplaces operate. But any owner of a WP project sooner or later faces the question: which server to choose so that the site flies, and not crawls?

Virtual server (VPS) is the golden mean between traditional shared hosting and expensive dedicated-machines. It provides more power, flexibility and stability. But not every VPS can handle WordPress on 100%. Let's figure out what the ideal server for WP should have.

“WordPress loves speed. And speed means power, proper optimization, and the right choice of hosting.”

1. Performance

What to look for when choosing a VPS? Three key parameters are important:

• CPU. The more powerful the processor, the faster the server will process PHP requests.

• RAM. WordPress does not like a lack of RAM. The minimum is 2 GB, but for WooCommerce and busy sites, 4 GB is better.

• Disk. SSD or NVMe - this is not discussed. Hard disk drives (HDD) slow down the site.

Good virtual servers also support optimized stacks: Nginx + FastCGI, MariaDB instead of MySQL, PHP 8+.

2. Caching - the fewer requests, the faster the site

WordPress can be quite capricious. The more content, plugins and traffic, the greater the load on the server. Caching solves the problem. Let's look at the main levels:

“Caching is like anticipating user requests. The faster the server responds, the higher the visitor’s satisfaction.”

Opcode Cache

PHP code is executed line by line on the server. Each time it is compiled anew - this takes a long time. Opcode Cache allows storing the compiled code in RAM, reducing the load.

Object Cache

WordPress makes dozens of SQL queries every time a page is opened. Object Cache stores the results in memory (RAM), which speeds up access. Powered by Redis or Memcached.

Full Page Cache

If your site is a blog or an online store, the content does not change every second. It makes sense to simply save the HTML version of the page and give it to users, bypassing PHP and MySQL.

HTTP Accelerators

Instead of writing the cache to disk, you can store it in RAM. Varnish or FastCGI handle this with flying colors.

3. Server location: the closer, the faster

Clients from Europe? Renting servers in Germany or the Netherlands will give you minimal ping. Working for the American market? It is better to take a VPS in the USA.

In addition to physical location, CDN support is important. Cloudflare, BunnyCDN or similar networks will deliver content closer to the user.

4. Security: SSL, firewall and backups

WordPress is a tasty morsel for hackers. A good VPS should support:

• Automatic SSL Certificates

• Firewalls (UFW, CSF)

• DDoS protection

• Regular backups

Additionally, you can install Fail2Ban to protect against brute force attacks and hide the standard paths of the administration panel.

5. Why VPS and not shared hosting?

Shared hosting is like living in a dorm: shared resources, constant problems with neighbors, lack of productivity. VPS is your own apartment. You choose the configuration, install software, manage resources yourself. Plus, if the project grows, you can easily scale up.

“Shared hosting is a compromise. VPS is freedom.”

VPS according to needs

The best VPS for WordPress is a server that suits your project’s needs. A small site will be fine with 2GB of RAM and an SSD, but a large store will need at least 4–8GB of RAM, a powerful processor, and advanced caching settings.

Look at reliability, support, geolocation, and additional features. And remember: site speed is not just convenience, but a ranking factor in Google. Fast site = more customers.

DDoS attacks have long ceased to be a rarity and are no longer limited to large corporations or government agencies. Today, even a small online store, blog or web service can become a victim. If your business uses VPS or a dedicated server, the risk of encountering this threat is extremely high. But is it possible to effectively protect virtual servers from DDoS?

“Any resource connected to the internet can become a target. The only question is how powerful and sophisticated the attack will be.”

What is a DDoS attack and why is it dangerous?

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) is a cyber attack method in which attackers send a huge volume of requests to a server until it stops responding. Essentially, the server simply suffocates from the flow of false requests and stops serving legitimate users.

It is important to understand that VPS and other virtual servers have bandwidth and resource limitations. When an attack exceeds these limits, the service stops working.

Types of DDoS attacks and their goals

There are several types of attacks, but the main ones can be divided into two categories:

• Volumetric attacks – overload the server with a huge number of requests. The most common method is SYN flood, when the botnet sends out many half-open connections, filling all available slots.

• Application layer attacks – are aimed at exhausting server resources at a deeper level. For example, they can send slow but complex queries that require more computing power.

Both of these techniques can be used simultaneously, making DDoS protection a challenging task.

How to protect VPS hosting from DDoS?

Protection against DDoS attacks requires a comprehensive approach that includes several levels of defense:

1. Early detection and filtering of traffic

The best way to protect a virtual server (VPS/VDS) or dedicated server – prevent attacks at early stages. Modern anti-DDoS solutions analyze traffic and block suspicious activity based on known patterns of malicious requests.

For example, if a server sees a spike in traffic from the same IP addresses over a short period of time, it may automatically blacklist them.

2. Using CDN networks

CDN (Content Delivery Network) – is a network of servers distributed around the world that can take on some of the load. They cache content and allow users to download data from the nearest server, reducing the load on the main dedicated server or VPS.

“CDN is not a panacea, but for most attacks at OSI model layers 3-4 it is one of the best defenses.”

3. Intelligent routing system

Some VPS providers offer built-in intelligent traffic routing solutions. They analyze data flows in real time, automatically redirect suspicious requests to isolated servers, and minimize damage.

For example, if traffic comes from a region that your site doesn't typically visit, the system may lower the priority of those packets or reject them altogether.

4. Limiting connections and using captcha

To protect against DDoS at the application level, you can implement mechanisms to limit the number of requests from one IP address and use CAPTCHA to prevent automated attacks.

While captchas are not always user-friendly, they can be an effective barrier to bots.

5. Choosing a reliable VPS provider

One of the most effective ways to protect your virtual server is to initially choose VPS hosting with protection against DDoS attacks. Many providers offer special tariffs with pre-installed security measures, such as hardware and software filters, automatic load balancing, and 24/7 monitoring.

“A good VPS hosting with DDoS protection is more expensive, but its price is incomparable to the losses that a successful attack can cause.”

What to do if your VPS has already been attacked?

If you have already encountered an attack, there is no need to panic. Follow these steps:

• Notify your VPS provider - they may have tools to automatically block the attack.

• Temporarily restrict access to the resource for external users until the threat is eliminated.

• Configure your firewall to block suspicious IP addresses.

• Use specialized cloud services that can redistribute the load and protect your server.

Multilayered VPS protection: from hardware to software

The good news is that modern DDoS defenses attack the attackers themselves. They force bots and attackers to face a wall of filters, intelligent algorithms, and automated threat detection systems.

1. Physical infrastructure

The more powerful the equipment, the higher the stability. In this regard, large server rental providers implement advanced processors, filtering systems and traffic analyzers. Virtual servers located on such sites receive an additional line of defense.

2. Automated monitoring systems

Machine learning technologies analyze traffic anomalies and block suspicious requests in real time. Solutions like BitNinja or Imunify360 are trained on thousands of attacks and adapt to new threats.

3. Load balancing and redirection of malicious traffic

The goal is not only to block the DDoS, but also to redirect it to a place where it will not cause harm. Server centers use a load distribution network, allowing to minimize damage.

DDoS and risks: what's at stake?

The question is not whether an attack will happen, but when it will happen.

According to statistics, every 39 seconds a cyber attack occurs in the world. For a VPS business, this means potential service downtime, loss of customers and a reputational blow. And if the server is used for an online store on WooCommerce or another large project, the losses amount to thousands of dollars per hour, depending on what kind of business you have.

Anti-DDoS Solutions: What to Choose?

“A good server is not just about power, but also about security. A VPS without protection is like a house built on sand.”

1. Built-in protection from the hosting provider

Large server rental providers offer data center-level protection. Before choosing a VPS, it is worth clarifying which DDoS protection mechanisms are included in the tariff.

2. CDN networks and cloud filters

Cloudflare and similar services allow you to minimize the load on the server by cutting off fake requests before they reach the system.

3. Firewall and individual security settings

On a VPS, you can install and configure iptables, fail2ban and other tools that restrict access based on abnormal behavior.

Protection is a process, not a destination.

DDoS attacks are becoming more complex, but protection technologies are not standing still either. A protected VPS is not just an “option”, but a mandatory standard for businesses operating online. And if your server is not protected today, the only question is when it will come under attack.

Choose VPS at the moment it is not an easy task, there are simply many hosting providers who offer their services everywhere, promotions for the first month, cheap tariffs and free support, but what is hidden behind the screen of low rates and will you end up paying double with your reputation and lost orders? In this article, we will answer these and other questions.

When you choose a VPS for your online store, you make a key decision, which is comparable to buying an apartment in a good or bad area, where in a good area you will find peace and orderly development - life without failures and downtime, and in an unlucky area - stress and sadness - loss of customers and nerves.

The rented virtual server directly affects the performance, security and reliability of your e-commerce project. But how to choose a VPS when at first, there is no way to overpay for high-quality solutions from branded providers without losing quality? In this article, we will analyze what is important to consider when choosing a VPS, what mistakes to avoid and what to pay attention to in order not to overpay for VPS rental, but at the same time get stable and fast server operation.

What is VPS and why is it needed?

VPS is a virtual server that runs on a physical server divided into several virtual machines using a hypervisor (such a program). This solution helps save money compared to renting a physical dedicated server - example, while providing greater flexibility and resources than regular hosting (which in turn was also divided into clusters). Previously, VPS was ordered only in case of high traffic, but at the moment, even simple Woocommerce can no longer handle regular hosting, failures occur and the hosting software simply “cuts off” visitors - literally visitors are given an error or 403 or 505.

Let's look at the advantages of VPS:

1. Isolation: Resources are at your disposal only

Each virtual environment on a VPS operates independently of the others, reducing performance and security risks.

2. Flexibility: customization and management

You can configure the server for specific tasks, install the necessary programs and select the operating system, we will talk about the operating system below.

3. Low cost: not always great

Compared to a dedicated server, a VPS will be cheaper, but will provide more resources than shared hosting.

4. Selecting software and operating system: Linux or Windows

When choosing a VPS, you can choose which operating system you prefer: Windows Server or Linux. The choice of Windows VPS or Linux VPS depends on which stack you are using, for example, if you have a product written in .NET, it is obvious that you should use a VPS with the Windows operating system, more details about Windows VPS at the link https://sidata.com.ua/ru/windows-vps/.

You also have the option to choose a Linux distribution, be it the stable Debian or the latest Ubuntu.

How to choose an inexpensive but high-quality VPS?

Let's look at the key points that you should pay attention to when choosing an inexpensive but high-quality VPS.

1. Let's start by analyzing your needs

Before you start looking for a suitable VPS, it is important to understand what resources you really need, what traffic will be at the start, what advertising budget you will master, what functionality will be from the start and whether it will be revised in the next couple of months or years. You should not focus only on the minimum hosting requirements, you need to think several steps ahead and take a reserve. 

Now what characteristics should you pay attention to?

• Processor (CPU): If you plan to work with a large number of requests or complex calculations, you will need a more powerful processor. For example, you have a complex catalog, with many filters, relationships, connections (colors, modifications and all this affects the price) then in this case it is better not to skimp on the CPU, because it is the CPU that will have to process all this instantly, and if it slows down, what will be the result? That's right, the visitor will freak out and leave the site, and this is equivalent to a loss, because you have already invested in this client the price for attracting him.

• Random Access Memory (RAM): The more RAM, the more tasks the server can process at a time. If the CPU processes requests, then where should this processing take place? It takes place in RAM. If you expect up to 100 visitors a day and they will all visit the site evenly, then you don’t need a lot of RAM, but if they come in groups, then it’s better not to save here, otherwise the site will start to slow down and you will lose everyone. So, for small sites with up to 100 products, 2-4 GB is enough, for large projects with 1000 products, you need at least 8 GB or more.

• Disk space (SSD or NVMe): NVMe drives provide higher performance than SSD, but they are more expensive. Choose SSD if you care about performance, if you see HDD - do not take VPS with them, for an online store, they are outdated and too slow. HDD are only good for storing files, nothing more.

• Data transmission channel: This is an important point if you work with a lot of traffic. The more bandwidth, the faster your site will load. It is better to immediately pay attention to providers that have a 1 Gbps channel.

2. Quality of technical support

An inexpensive VPS is, of course, good, but what if something goes wrong? This is where it is important to understand that support plays a key role. It is necessary to evaluate in advance how quickly and effectively they will be able to help you in case of problems, and there will be problems, it is important that they guide you free of charge and promptly indicate what the problem is.

Some companies offer 24/7 support via chat, phone, and email. The faster the technical support responds, the better. In the case of inexpensive VPS, it is important that not only the prices are attractive, but also the technical support is up to par, this is very important. After all, you yourself do not understand VPS management and are unlikely to be able to deeply understand the problem.

Don't forget to also clarify what language the support works in and whether there are specialists available who can solve non-standard problems for an additional fee; find out the cost of such work in advance.

3. Check reviews and reputation

Reviews are a vital part of the VPS selection process, especially when it comes to budget options. It is important to understand that both positive and negative comments can be found online, and it is important to be able to filter them.

How to find honest reviews?

• Look for independent resources where real user opinions are published. An example of such sites is a hosting provider forum or specialized sites like HostingReview.com or uk.hostadvice.com
• Check comments on social networks. You should pay attention to what users write on the provider's Facebook or Twitter pages. Often, real reviews can be found in discussions on these platforms.
• Monitor the dynamics of reputation. If the provider is constantly fixing problems and working to improve the service, this is a positive sign.

Why are reviews important?

Reviews give a real idea of how the provider solves server problems, how stable its service is, and how the support works. For example, if on one resource you see that all the clients praise the fast technical support, and on another they complain about long responses - this is an important signal.

4. Cost and quality match

Cheap VPS may look attractive, but it is important to understand that for a low price you may not get the best resources and support, especially hosting providers are guilty of selling your resources to your server neighbor. It is important to find a balance here: choose not the cheapest VPS, but the one that offers the best combination of cost and quality.

Don't be fooled by the lowest price. Cheap hosting providers can hide unpleasant surprises - from weak technical support to the lack of necessary software, be it the latest version of MariaDB or PHP. To avoid disappointment, make a thorough comparison between providers on key parameters, such as the processor, RAM and disk space.

5. Testing the service

Some hosting providers offer free tests of their VPS or at least a money-back guarantee within a week. This is a chance to check in practice how the server works, how stable it is in real conditions.

Feel free to take advantage of this and test it before making a final decision. For example, you can install your online store on a VPS and see how it works under load using a loader service such as loadforge.com or pingdom.com. This will help you assess how suitable the server is for your needs.

6. Clarify security details

VPS security is an issue that should not be put off for later. When choosing a cheap VPS, you need to make sure that the hosting provider provides the necessary protection.

• Firewall. Check if your provider provides basic protection against external threats.
• Security updates. Find out how often your server receives security updates.
• Backup. It is important that you have the ability to make regular backups of your site or that they are made automatically on a regular basis.

In the case of low-cost VPS, you need to check whether there are additional security options. For example, if the provider only offers basic protection, you will have to set up additional security measures on your VPS or install Cloudflare.

So how do you choose the right VPS?

Choosing an inexpensive but high-quality VPS is a task that requires attention and careful preparation. It is necessary to consider not only the price, but also the resources, quality of support, reputation and security.

1. Don't chase the cheapest price

Choose what suits your requirements and will not harm the quality of the site.

2. Check reviews - this is an important aspect to avoid falling into the hands of scammers or unscrupulous providers.

3. Test the server - If possible, use the free trial period to make sure that the VPS is working stably.

4. Make sure it is safe — data protection must come first.

Thus, by approaching the choice of VPS consciously and paying attention to all key points, you will be able to find a reliable provider with a good price-quality ratio.

If you want your virtual server VPS worked faster and consumed significantly fewer resources, and also had a stable uptime, then optimizing server resources is a must. Whatever server you take, it will always fall before numerous requests or to the database, or under endless filters and long requests to the database. 

Many processes can be accelerated using various caching and load balancing technologies. Let's look at several popular tools that help save resources and improve performance.

1. Memcached

Memcached is an in-memory caching system that helps speed up access to data stored in a database by temporarily storing it in RAM. When a VPS needs to retrieve data, instead of constantly accessing the database, looking for the right row in the right table, loading the database server, it first checks the Memcached cache, which stores the data in a static form. If the data is already there, the VPS returns it immediately, without unnecessary load on the database server.

What do we gain?

• Significantly speeds up the performance of web applications or websites.
• Reduces the number of database queries, which reduces the load on the virtual server.
• Saves resources because memory access is much faster than disk access.

Saving resources: Memcached can reduce the load on the database and reduce the response time of the application. This leads to savings in computing resources and memory. If you configure caching correctly, you can significantly reduce the load on the processor and RAM.

2. Redis

Redis is another caching solution, but with additional capabilities. Unlike Memcached, Redis supports more complex data structures such as lists, sets, hashes, and others. It can also be used not only for caching, but also for managing task queues and storing temporary data.

What is it useful for?

• Redis works with more complex data structures, making it ideal for storing sessions and user data.
• It allows you to effectively manage task queues by distributing the load between multiple servers (Apache and Nginx).

Saving resources: Redis not only speeds up data access, but also reduces the load on servers by distributing data more efficiently and storing it in RAM. Applications using Redis can run faster while consuming fewer resources, which is important for VPS where resources are limited.

Redis works in a clear memory range that you have allocated to it, each product, be it an application or a website, can use its own storage to store cached data.

3. Nginx

Nginx is a web server and reverse proxy server that is used for load balancing, most often for caching static files: images, files for downloading. Nginx is often used to handle a large number of simultaneous connections, which significantly reduces the load on the server and increases its performance. Nginx can work as a server, but most often it is used as an unloader for the Apache server, in conjunction with Apache, the work will be most effective.

How it helps:

• Handles a huge number of simultaneous requests with minimal server load.
• Can be used to cache static files such as images, CSS and JavaScript, which reduces page load times.
• Works as a load balancer, which allows you to distribute requests between itself and Apache servers.

Saving resources: Using Nginx allows you to significantly reduce the load on the server due to effective traffic distribution and caching. This allows servers to serve more requests with less resource consumption. This is especially important if your site or application has a high load.

4. Varnish

Varnish is a high-performance HTTP accelerator used to cache web pages. It is ideal for sites with a lot of static content, such as news portals, online stores, and blogs. Varnish also allows you to manage the cache of other applications, and if there is a need to clear the cache, you can do it in one fell swoop, rather than clearing the cache of each program.

What is the benefit?

• Caches web pages, which reduces the number of requests to the main server.
• Works at the HTTP level, making it very fast and efficient for dynamic sites.

Saving resources: By using Varnish, you can reduce the load on your web server and speed up response time. Since frequently requested pages will be cached in memory, this results in savings on CPU and memory on the server.

5. Other tools and technologies

In addition to Memcached, Redis, Nginx and Varnish, there are other tools to optimize VPS performance. For example:

• OPcache - caching of compiled PHP scripts, which speeds up the operation of PHP applications.
• PHP-FPM — improves the processing of PHP requests, reducing the load on the server and speeding up code execution.

Saving resources: Each of these tools helps to significantly improve the performance of your VPS by speeding up response time and reducing server load. All of these technologies help to save resources such as CPU time, RAM, and disk space, allowing your VPS to run more efficiently.

Impact on the server and resource savings

In combination, the use of technologies such as Memcached, Redis, Nginx, Varnish allows not only to speed up the work of web applications and sites, but also to save VPS resources. This is especially important if you have a limited budget and need to use the available resources efficiently.

What results can be expected as a result of such VPS optimization:

• Reduce the load on the processor and RAM.
• Reduce the number of database requests and speed up query processing.
• Save on the need to scale servers, as performance can be improved through optimization.
• Improved response time and website loading speed, which in turn has a positive impact on SEO and user experience.

Properly configuring and using caching technologies can not only improve the performance of your VPS, but also save resources that can be used more efficiently.

If you have ever hosted websites or applications on a server, sooner or later you will encounter increasing demands on its resources. Sometimes the server you have chosen to host on the Internet cannot provide the necessary resources to fully process the traffic. In such cases, you may need server migration.

Server migration is the process of moving data from your current server to another.

In addition to transferring data, the new server must be configured to accept it. If you are hosting a website, this may involve additional database setup, copying sites and their configurations, and changing DNS information so that users can navigate to your site on the new server.

In this article, we'll look at the different types of server migrations, the steps required to perform the migration, and what to look out for during the process.

Types of Server Migration

There are several types of migration and ways to perform it, as well as several technologies that are widely used for this process. Migration methods may vary depending on where the information is being transferred from and to.

Migration from physical to physical server (P2P)

This method involves transferring data from one physical server to another without using virtual resources. During the migration process, server drivers are removed using special software tools.

Migration from physical to virtual server (P2V)

In this case, data is migrated from a physical server to a virtual machine that runs in a virtual environment. The process may involve pre-separating the data before the migration begins.

Migration from virtual to virtual server (V2V)

When you need to migrate data from one virtual server to another, V2V migration is used. Most virtual environments include software to perform such migration. However, sometimes standard tools are not enough, especially if the migration is to a different platform with a different configuration.

Migration to the cloud

Migration to the cloud involves transferring data from a server to the cloud, either in whole or in part. It may also involve transferring data from a physical server to a cloud server or between two cloud servers.

Operating System (OS) Migration

Operating system migration involves replacing the current server operating system with another. This is more like an operating system upgrade. Such migration is necessary, for example, when switching from Windows to Linux.

Database Migration

Database migration involves moving data from one database to another. During the migration, all users must update their credentials to access the new database.

Application Migration

This type of migration involves moving applications to another server. The target server can be either cloud or virtual. Organizations often use this method as part of a technology optimization and standards update strategy.

Migrating data to a virtual server

The process of migrating to a virtual server includes several steps:

Step 1: Installing the migration software

To migrate from a physical to a virtual or virtual to a virtual server, you need to install special conversion software. There are both paid and free solutions. Paid options usually perform the entire migration process, but can be quite expensive, especially when moving large amounts of data.

Examples of migration programs:

• Virtual Box
• Hyper-V
• KVM
• VM Cloud Converter
• VHD
• vMotion

Step 2: Preparing the system

Before migration, you must disable the following system elements:

• Antivirus software;
• Firewalls (except for required ports);
• File sharing;
• Programs that write or read data;
• Access control for users.

Step 3: Activate the migration software and select the source

To migrate data, you will need administrative access to the current server. After that, you will need to select the source server and its IP address.

Step 4: Assigning a target system

After selecting the source server, you must specify the destination server, including its IP address or DNS server, as well as the destination server type.

Step 5: Select data to transfer

Before you start migrating, it's a good idea to carefully review the data on your current server. It's recommended that you only migrate the data that's necessary to make your new server run faster and more efficiently. This will also help reduce migration costs.

Step 6: Assess Bandwidth Requirements

Assess the requirements for a successful migration, including time, internet speed, network bandwidth, and the need for CPU control.

Step 7: Performing the migration

At this stage, it is important to work with the technical team to resolve any issues that may arise during the migration process. Once the migration is complete, it is important to verify that the data on the new server is functioning correctly.

Temporary retention of the old server for additional security

After the migration is complete, we recommend leaving the old server active for two weeks in case of problems with the new server.

Mistakes to Avoid When Migrating

1. Do not migrate during peak traffic periods.
Perform migrations during off-peak hours to minimize impact to users and reduce network load.

2. Don't start migration at the same time as introducing new features or strategy.
Initiating migration during this period may result in failures in both new functions and the migration itself.

3. Do not start migration until you have done your research.
Lack of understanding of the process can lead to failures and functional errors after migration.

4. Don't hide your migration plans from your employees.
Inform your colleagues about the upcoming migration, as it may impact their work tasks.

Using Services to Assist with Server Migration

Many hosting providers offer server migration services. It is important to check in advance whether they can help in your case, as the specifics of migration depend on the volume of data and the type of infrastructure.

Your hosting provider can offer support at every stage of the migration and even after its completion.

Data migration can be an easy and stress-free process if you approach it wisely and prepare properly. We hope this article has given you an insight into the migration process and what mistakes to avoid while performing this task.

As a result of research and statistics, it was established that a user can wait up to 9 seconds for a page to load, then, if there is no result, the user closes it. Therefore, on the scene comes CDN (Content Delivery Network), which is becoming one of the most important tools for website owners. Let's take a look at what a CDN is, how it works, and why using it is critical for any business that wants to stay ahead of the game.

What is CDN?

In simple terms, a CDN is a network of servers located around the world that serve to cache and quickly deliver website content. The idea is to speed up data access for users, regardless of where the server hosting is physically located. Instead of sending each request to your main server (origin server), a CDN routes requests to the closest server on the network, which significantly reduces response time and speeds up loading.

Imagine you have a visitor from Japan and your server is located in Ukraine. Without using a CDN, its requests would travel a long time across continents, which would slow down the site loading. Now imagine that this content is cached on a server in Tokyo — the user will get access to your site much faster. This is the magic of a CDN.

How does CDN infrastructure work?

To understand how this network works, let's look at its main elements:

1. Origin server — this is your main server where all the content is stored. For example, your website, videos, images, etc. When someone requests content that is not yet on the CDN servers, the request is forwarded to the origin server, and only then is the content cached on the edge servers.

2. Edge servers — these are servers that are located all over the world and cache content initially downloaded from the origin server. They are responsible for speeding up the delivery of data, being as close to the user as possible.

3. PoP (Points of Presence) — Points of presence, where edge servers are located. These points are strategically distributed around the world to ensure maximum coverage and performance. For example, the SIDATA provider may have PoPs in key cities in Europe and Asia, which allows them to effectively serve users from different regions.

How does loading a page from a CDN actually happen?

Imagine that your website is running on a server in Kyiv, but you have many users from the US. Without a CDN, requests will go across the ocean, taking longer and increasing latency. But if you use our servers, users in the US will have their requests processed by the closest servers, for example, in New York or San Francisco. As a result, the page will load faster, and visitors will be happy.

How does CDN work?

Let's look at a simplified process of how a CDN works:

1. The user enters your website address into the browser.
2. The browser sends a request to the DNS server to determine the IP address.
3. If your site is configured to use a CDN, the DNS server returns the IP address of the closest PoP.
4. The request is sent to the edge server, which checks whether the required content is in the cache.
5. If the content is already cached, it is immediately returned to the user. If not, the request is passed to the origin server and then cached on the edge server for subsequent requests.

What benefits do you get by using a CDN?

Using a CDN not only helps speed up your website, VPS, but also solves several other serious problems:

• Reducing server load. If you have a lot of visitors, requests can overload the main server. With a CDN, most of the traffic is redirected to edge servers, which reduces the load.

• Protection against DDoS attacks. Many CDNs offer built-in solutions to protect against DDoS attacks and other threats, such as web firewalls and SSL/TLS encryption.

• SEO Optimization. A fast loading site has a positive effect on search engine rankings. Google and other search engines take loading speed into account when determining search engine rankings.

• Reliability and fault tolerance. If one server fails, the CDN can redirect traffic to another, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
• Scalability. CDN automatically handles traffic surges, which is critical for advertising campaigns or during major promotions.

Examples of CDN use

1. Sites with a global audience: If you have an online store and your customers are located in different countries, using a CDN can reduce loading times for all users, regardless of their location.

2. Streaming and multimedia: For sites with a lot of video content, CDN is a must-have. For example, if you are posting educational video courses or live broadcasts, then with CDN the content will be delivered faster and without delays.

3. Mobile applications: For traffic-intensive applications, CDN helps reduce latency, ensuring smooth performance even under heavy load.

When should you consider using a CDN?

Using a CDN is not necessary for everyone, but if your site loads slowly for users from other countries, or you often experience sudden traffic surges, this is already a reason to think about implementing a CDN from SIDATA. This will help you not only speed up your site, but also save on resources and protect it from possible attacks.

Services offering CDN

The CDN services market is quite large, and finding the right solution can be challenging. It is important to choose a service that provides the optimal combination of speed, reliability, and security. Let's look at a few popular providers:

1. Cloudflare

Cloudflare is one of the most well-known and popular CDN providers, which offers a wide range of features to speed up and protect websites.

• Free plan with basic features for small sites.
• Encryption support and built-in DDoS protection.
• Additional performance optimization tools, including automatic image optimization and file size reduction.

However, for sites with high traffic volumes and special speed requirements, free options may not be enough and you will need to upgrade to paid plans.

2. Akamai

Akamai is one of the oldest and largest CDN providers on the market. It is focused on serving large corporations and projects with high loads.

• A vast network of thousands of servers worldwide.
• Powerful security and analytics features.
• Suitable for large sites and corporate clients with high requirements for reliability and speed.

Despite its capabilities, Akamai can be overkill and too expensive for small companies and startups.

3. Amazon CloudFront

Amazon CloudFront is a CDN service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that is ideal for those already using Amazon's cloud offerings.

• Deep integration with other AWS services such as S3, EC2, and Route 53.
• Wide customization and scalability options.
• HTTPS support and built-in attack protection mechanisms.

However, for those new to the world of AWS, using CloudFront can be challenging due to the abundance of settings and the high complexity of the interface.

4. Fast

Fastly is a high-performance CDN provider that focuses on minimizing latency and supporting dynamic content.

• High response speed and flexibility in customization.
• Capabilities for delivering streaming video and complex web applications.
• Suitable for media platforms and e-commerce.

Fastly is more suitable for advanced users who need deep customization and high performance.

Speed is of the essence these days. If you want to stay competitive and attract more users, a CDN is a tool worth adding to your website’s arsenal.

CPU load in VPS servers — is one of the key metrics that can seriously affect the performance and stability of the system. Recent studies show that 68% system failures occur precisely because of high CPU load. Therefore, it is important to understand what loads the CPU and how to control it. In this article, we will consider how to identify the causes of high load and optimize the operation of a virtual server.

What is CPU load in VPS?

Simply put, CPU Load shows how many tasks are currently being processed or waiting to be executed. This is an important indicator that reflects the current state of the system. If the processor is overloaded, it can slow down the execution of tasks and degrade the performance of all applications running on the server.

Load metrics are typically displayed as an average over three time intervals: 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 15 minutes. For example:

• 1 minute value reflects the instantaneous load over the last minute.
• 5 minute value smooths out short-term fluctuations and shows a more stable indicator.
• 15 minute value helps to see the big picture over a longer period.

What load is considered normal?

The optimal load level depends on the number of processor cores and the specific tasks the system performs. For a single-core processor, a value below 1.0 is considered normal, as this means that the processor handles all tasks without delays. If this indicator is above 1.0, it means that some processes are starting to wait for their turn, which can slow down the system.

For multi-core processors, the load is distributed among the cores. For example, for a processor with four cores, a value of 4.0 indicates that all cores are fully utilized. If the load is higher, it may indicate overload.

Causes of high CPU load

1. Intensive computational tasks. Performing complex calculations, such as processing large amounts of data or rendering video, can put a lot of strain on the processor.
2. Too many simultaneous tasksRunning multiple applications and processes at the same time can lead to a lack of computing resources.
3. Problematic or looping processes. Sometimes processes can use more resources than they need or get stuck in an infinite loop, which increases the load on the CPU. This is especially true for improperly optimized software.
4. Attacks on the server — DDoS attacks or malware can consume processor resources, slowing down the system.

How to reduce CPU load?

If your VPS CPU load becomes critical, there are several ways to reduce it:

1. Termination of problematic processes. Using top or htop, you can quickly find and terminate processes that are overloading the system.

   kill -9 

   Where — this is the identifier of the problematic process

2. Application Optimization. Update programs and scripts to the latest version to eliminate memory leaks and other bugs that cause CPU overload.
3. Setting up autoload. Sometimes the server loads with many unnecessary services. Check and disable everything unnecessary:

   systemctl list-unit-files --type=service

4. Using cachingIf your server serves a website, implementing caching systems such as Redis or Memcached can significantly reduce CPU load.
5. Scaling resources. If none of the methods help, perhaps the server simply does not have enough resources. In this case, it is better to switch to a tariff with a more powerful processor from the SIDATA provider.

How to track CPU usage on VPS?

There are various commands for monitoring CPU load in Unix-like systems:

• top — a command that displays real-time information about processor load, memory consumption, and running processes.
• uptime - allows you to quickly see how long the system has been running and what the load was in the last 1, 5 and 15 minutes.
• p.s. — displays a list of running processes with their CPU and memory usage. For example, the command (see below) can show the 10 processes with the highest CPU usage.

ps -eo pcpu,pid,user,args | sort -k 1 -r | head -10

For Windows users, the most convenient tool is the Task Manager, which shows the processor load in real time. You can also use the Resource Monitor by entering the command resmon in the Run line (Win+R).

Difference between booting and booting to kernel

When working with VPS servers, it is important to understand the difference between the overall CPU load and the load per core. These two metrics allow you to more accurately assess how efficiently your server resources are being used and where a performance bottleneck may be occurring.

What is total load and load per core?

• Total CPU load — is a metric that shows how many tasks are simultaneously processed by the processor or waiting to be processed in a queue. It is measured as an average value over different time intervals: 1, 5 and 15 minutes.
• Loading onto the kernel — is a metric that shows the load on each individual processor core. If your VPS has multiple cores, it is important to consider not only the overall load, but also the distribution of this load across the cores.

Why is this important?

The difference between these metrics is that single-core and multi-core processors operate differently.

• Single core processor: all tasks are executed sequentially on one core. If the load exceeds the value 1.0, this means that the processor is fully loaded and additional tasks will have to wait for their turn.

• Multi-core processor: tasks can be distributed across multiple cores, allowing more tasks to be processed simultaneously. This is where the importance of 1.0 means loading one core, and for a processor with 4 cores the normal value will be 4.0.

Examples in practice

1. Single Core VPS: Let's imagine that you rent a VPS with one core from SIDATA. Your system is performing tasks under load. 1.2. This means that one core is fully loaded, and another 20% tasks have to wait for their turn. For example, if a server is running a website, a database, and background scripts at the same time, some tasks will be delayed, causing slow page loading and query execution.

2. Multi-core VPS: Now imagine you have a 4-core VPS. If the total load is 4.0, this means that each of the four cores is loaded at 100%. In this situation, the server is working at its maximum capabilities, but there are no delays yet. However, if the load increases to 6.0, this means that two additional task streams are forced to wait. For example, if you are sending out mass mail or processing large amounts of data, the server will begin to slow down.

How to reduce CPU load?

If the server is overloaded, it can negatively affect its performance. There are several ways to reduce the load:

1. Termination of problematic processes. Teams like top or p.s. will help you identify applications that are consuming the most resources and terminate them if necessary.
2. Updating software and drivers. Outdated versions may contain errors that increase the load on the system. Updating helps optimize the work.
3. Reinstalling or rolling back programsIf an application consistently causes high load, you can reinstall it or roll back to a more stable version.
4. Rebooting the serverSometimes a simple reboot will solve problems with temporary processes that may be stuck in the system.

Summary

Monitoring CPU load is an integral part of managing virtual servers. We SIDATA We offer reliable solutions for renting VPS and VDS, which allow you to flexibly configure the server to your needs and monitor its condition. Maintaining the load at a level below 70% helps extend the service life of the equipment and ensure stable operation of applications.

Using monitoring tools and timely detection of problematic processes allows you to optimize the operation of the virtual server and avoid possible failures. It is important to regularly check the system status and, if necessary, adjust its settings so that the rented VPS continues to operate stably and without interruptions.

We have already written a specific article about how organize a CS2 game server. What other games can you play by creating your own VPS server?

In the world of online games, the ability to create your own server is virtual server (VPS) opens up incredible opportunities. It's cool to create your own rules and your own world, enjoy maximum customization without the restrictions that public servers always impose. Today we'll tell you about the TOP-15 games that are ideal for installation on a VPS server. We'll back up all the examples with real rates server provider SIDATA, so that you can immediately evaluate not only the resources needed to organize a game server, but also the price for renting a server.

What games can I play on a rented VPS?

In this article, we will tell you about 15 games that you can easily install on a VPS and play with pleasure with friends or just strangers.

1. Minecraft

In Minecraft, you have to survive by exploring a randomly generated world, mining resources, crafting tools, and fighting monsters. For those who don't like extreme sports, there is a creative mode where an infinite number of resources are available to create any buildings.

Setting up your own server gives you the opportunity to add new mods, PvP modes or set up unique game rules, which will make your world even more interesting.

For a stable Minecraft server we recommend:

• Tariff: I2-R2-SD40 (2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 40 GB NVMe)
• This is enough for 10-15 players, if you don't abuse modifications.

2. Counter-Strike 2

A classic tactical shooter where teams compete to complete missions. Ranked games are available on official servers, but for more variety you can deploy your own server and add custom modes like surf or bunny-hop.

For your own CS2 server you will need:

• Tariff: I2-R4-NV60 (2 cores, 4 GB RAM, 60 GB NVMe) — 900₴ per month
• A Linux system with this config will provide excellent performance for several dozen players.

3. DotA 2

This multiplayer battle arena masterpiece from Valve has captivated millions of players. In DotA 2, each team of five controls unique heroes and aims to destroy the "Ancient" in the enemy base.

Having your own DotA 2 server opens up access to creating custom modes like Auto Chess. The game inspired by this mod became so popular that it spawned an entire genre.

Minimum requirements for DotA 2 server:

• Tariff: BASE+ (4 cores, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe) - 1150₴ per month
• This will be enough to run most gaming sessions smoothly.

4. DayZ

In DayZ, players must survive in an open world filled with dangers: zombies and hostile survivors will not let you relax. On a private server, you can set up your own rules, for example, a ban on attacks on unarmed players.

Additionally, mods like DayZ Dog (your personal assistant dog) add unique elements to the gameplay.

For DayZ server you will need:

• Tariff: MEDIUM (4 AMD cores, 8 GB RAM, 120 GB NVMe) — 1600₴ per month
• Ideal for large maps and custom modifications.

5. Rust

Rust is a survival game in a world of battles, construction and resource extraction. Servers allow you to change the gameplay to suit your needs: increase the speed of extraction, speed up crafting or change the length of day and night.

Players who love challenges can turn on the Hardcore mode - the difficulty level will increase significantly.

For stable operation of the Rust server you will need:

• Tariff: PROF (5 AMD cores, 10 GB RAM, 140 GB NVMe) - 1800₴ per month
• This will ensure smooth play for dozens of players even with modifications.

6. Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 is a classic hero shooter where each character is unique. It has a bunch of modes: from capture the flag to King of the Hill or cooperative play against bots. You can install mods on your server - for example, packs with new textures or character and weapon models.

Minimum server requirements:

• Processor: 2 cores
• RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 5GB
• Network: 1 Mbps

The minimum tariff will do I2-R2-SD40 from SIDATA for 350₴ per monthIt has 2 Intel cores and 2GB of RAM - more than enough to add more slots for players.

7. ARK: Survival Ascended

ARK: Survival Ascended is an improved version of ARK: Survival Evolved. Players will have to survive on an island with dinosaurs, collect resources, build bases and tame prehistoric animals.

On your server, you can set up mods and change game parameters, for example, speed up taming or add custom quests. But ARK is very demanding on resources.

Minimum server requirements:

• RAM: 16 GB
• CPU: 6 cores
• Storage: 70 GB

For stable operation it is better to choose a tariff A6-R12-NV160 — 2050₴ per month with 12GB RAM and 6 AMD cores.

8. Valheim

In Valheim, you play as a Viking and prove your skills by exploring dangerous lands. The official server supports up to 10 players, but you can increase the number of participants on your own and add mods to make the game more challenging and interesting.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 4 cores, 2.8 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 2 GB

Rate I4-R4-NV80 for 1150₴ per month perfect fit: 4 Intel cores and 4 GB of RAM will provide stable gaming even with mods.

9. Squad

Squad is a tactical shooter with a focus on realism and teamwork. Up to 100 players can participate in a single game, and to manage such a scale, the server will need good performance.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 4 cores
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 55 GB

Select a tariff A4-R8-NV120 for 1600₴ per monthto ensure smooth, lag-free gaming.

10. Risk of Rain 2

Risk of Rain 2 is a co-op game where you and your friends fight alien monsters. The mobs get stronger with each level, and you need to balance between upgrading and clearing quickly.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 2 cores
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 5 GB

Rate I2-R4-NV60 for 900₴ per month is ideal for this task.

11. Factorio

Factorio is a game about building factories and managing resources. If you run your own server, you can avoid lags and customize the game to your liking with mods.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 2.4 GHz, 2 cores
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 10 GB

Rate I2-R4-NV60 (900₴ per month) will easily cope with this task.

12. Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative zombie horror game where you need to survive and complete missions. You can add custom maps to your server to diversify the game.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage: 10 GB

Even the most affordable tariff I2-R2-SD40 (350₴ per month) suitable for hosting a server.

13. Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod is a sandbox without a specific goal, where you can create any game scenarios. On the server you can run popular modes such as Prop Hunt or Trouble in Terrorist Town.

Minimum server requirements:

• CPU: 2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• vRAM: 512 MB
• Storage: 5 GB

The tariff is suitable for this game I4-R4-NV80 for 1150₴ per month.

14. Enshrouded

Enshrouded combines puzzles and survival elements. On your server, you can experiment with the settings, making the game easier or harder.

Minimum server requirements:

• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage: 30 GB
• CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD equivalent

For stable operation, we recommend the tariff A7-R16-NV200 for 2400₴ per month.

15. Palworld

Palworld is a mix of crafting, survival and world domination with unique creatures that can be tamed and used in battle.

Minimum server requirements:

• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 40 GB
• CPU: multithreaded

The tariff is perfect for this project A5-R10-NV140 for 1800₴ per month.

What is the outcome of this whole undertaking?

So, that's why it's worth bothering and setting up your own gaming server on a VPS. By setting up a server yourself, you gain control over the gaming environment and the ability to customize it to your style, whether it's strict rules or complete freedom for friends. Also, hosting games on your own virtual server has a number of advantages over the official ones provided by developers. Plus, there's minimal latency and reliable performance, because resources will be allocated only for your game, without any outside loads. This is especially cool for projects like Minecraft or Counter-Strike 2, where every millisecond decision can affect the outcome.

Virtual server rates from SIDATA for organizing a game server

If you are looking for a gaming VPS hosting, SIDATA is a good choice. Their pricing plans look impressive:

• XL - 7 cores and 16 GB RAM, which is enough for most games.
• XXL+ - 8 cores and 20 GB RAM, ideal choice if you plan on multiplayer sessions or multiple games on one server.
• XXXL+ — 12 cores and 24 GB RAM for the most demanding projects and gamers who want maximum freedom.

With such an arsenal, you will have no problems with setting up and scaling the server. The main thing is a stable infrastructure and the ability to customize the game without restrictions. In general, launch the server and play without worries!

If you want to try your hand at this, SIDATA offers flexible terms with great plans to choose from.