Choose a VPS management approach: direct administration, Cockpit or HestiaCP. Check operating-system and preparation choices before configuring your server.
Choose the administration work you want to do
The panel choice should follow the tasks you need to perform. Direct administration suits someone who will configure the Linux system and applications through their own tools. Cockpit provides a browser interface for system administration. HestiaCP focuses on managing a website-hosting environment.
No panel means that you arrange the administration tools and workflow yourself. Plan access, service configuration, updates, logs and recovery before putting an application online. A panel can make some tasks easier to access, but it does not remove the need to understand changes or establish a managed-service contract.
Scroll the table horizontally if needed.
Management choices offered in the VPS configurator| Choice | Main purpose | What to plan |
|---|
| No panel | Direct administration using your chosen tools. | System access, application configuration and maintenance. |
|---|
| Cockpit | Browser-based Linux system administration. | User permissions and the extensions your tasks require. |
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| HestiaCP | Administration of a website-hosting environment. | A compatible fresh OS and panel-led software setup. |
|---|
Prepare direct SSH administration and recovery access
Use Cockpit for system administration
Cockpit lets an administrator work with a Linux system through a web interface. Its access follows the system user’s permissions; privileged changes depend on the system’s configured permissions. Treat the management interface as administrative access and decide who needs it.
Cockpit extensions cover different tasks. Check the delivered extensions before relying on a feature. Its published container application uses Podman, so choosing Cockpit does not by itself provide a Docker dashboard. You can request the Docker preparation profile separately where the configurator allows it, and administer Docker with appropriate tools.
Choose HestiaCP for a clean website-hosting setup
HestiaCP is a panel for a website-hosting environment. Its installer requires a fresh operating system. In the VPSLibre configurator, HestiaCP is available with Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 12 and the operating-system-only preparation profile.
The configurator prevents pairing HestiaCP with the separate initial Docker or Nginx profile. This keeps the requested initial setup consistent; it does not mean HestiaCP cannot use Nginx. Let the panel’s own setup define its web stack, then review any later changes as a server-administration task.
Compare clean-panel preparation with a web-server workflow
Check compatibility before placing the order
Select the distribution, preparation profile and panel together. An unavailable combination requires an explicit choice of another option. The configurator does not silently replace your operating system to make a panel available. Review the quotation after changing any selection.
Adding a panel to an existing server is a different task from ordering a clean environment. Inventory applications and configuration, make recoverable copies and plan a tested move if the panel needs a fresh OS. Do not run an installer over a live server simply because the same panel can be selected for a new VPS.
Review Docker preparation and panel compatibility
Verify the delivered access and keep a recovery path
After delivery, use the supplied service information to verify the requested environment and management access. Check your own application setup before directing users to the server. Choosing a panel records a requested setup; an unpaid order or payment awaiting confirmation does not establish a working panel.
Keep a recovery path that does not depend entirely on the panel interface. Record the changes you make and test recoverable copies before important upgrades. For a container project, also read the Docker preparation guide; for administrative access, use the VPS security checklist.
- Confirm that the requested OS, preparation profile and panel form an available combination.
- Assign system administration and updates to a named person.
- Verify management access and the actual panel features after delivery.
- Protect administrative credentials and limit access to the people who need it.
- Keep independent recovery information and test backups before major changes.