Where can I administer my server?

You use two places: Virtualizor in your Hostworld account for power, console and rebuilds, and SSH inside your server for AlmaLinux 9 or Ubuntu 24.04 administration.

Do not use cPanel for VPS power, console or reinstalls. That is Virtualizor.

Before you start

• Sign in at portal.hostworld.uk. If you cannot sign in, click Forgotten Password on the login page, then follow the verification email before setting a new password.
• Have your VPS IP address and SSH login user to hand.
• Use an SSH client and a key. ED25519 keys are recommended.

Step 1: Open Virtualizor from your Hostworld account

Sign in at portal.hostworld.uk, open your VPS service page, then use the Single Sign‑On link to launch Virtualizor. In Virtualizor you can start, stop and reboot the VPS, open the HTML5/noVNC console, reinstall the OS and mount an ISO.

Important: Re‑Install OS creates a fresh VPS and removes existing data. Do not click it unless you intend to wipe the server. For custom installers, use the Enduser ISO option and boot it via the VNC console.

If SSH is broken because of a firewall, sshd_config or networking change, open the VNC console in Virtualizor to regain access and fix it.

Step 2: Connect to your server over SSH

This command connects to your server using an ED25519 key. Replace username and SERVER_IP with your details.

Ubuntu 24.04

ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 username@SERVER_IP

This updates package lists and installs available updates.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This checks the SSH service status.

sudo systemctl status ssh

AlmaLinux 9

ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 username@SERVER_IP

This updates installed packages to the latest versions.

sudo dnf upgrade -y

This checks the SSH service status.

sudo systemctl status sshd

Step 3: Keep access while changing firewall or networking

Allow SSH before enabling or tightening the firewall. Keep a second SSH session open, or have the Virtualizor VNC console ready.

Ubuntu 24.04

This permits SSH through UFW.

sudo ufw allow OpenSSH

If you are enabling UFW for the first time, turn it on after allowing SSH.

sudo ufw enable

This tests Netplan changes with auto‑rollback if you do not confirm.

sudo netplan try

AlmaLinux 9

This permanently permits SSH in firewalld and reloads the rules.

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=ssh --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

If it does not work

• Cannot get into Virtualizor: Go to portal.hostworld.uk and use Forgotten Password on the login page. You must click the verification/reset link in the email before you can set a new password. Then use Single Sign‑On from your VPS service page.
• SSH key rejected: Older ssh-rsa (SHA‑1) keys are disabled by default in new OpenSSH. Generate an ED25519 key and add its .pub to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on the server. Update your SSH client to use the new key.
• Locked out by firewall or network change: Open the Virtualizor VNC console, revert the last change, and ensure SSH is allowed first. On Ubuntu test edits with sudo netplan try to avoid losing connectivity.

Still stuck? Please open a support ticket and tell us which step you are on.

What next

For a fuller explanation of what belongs in Virtualizor versus inside the OS, see our VPS guides. If you are planning a rebuild or ISO boot, read the guidance there first. If you need another server in the UK, see our Linux VPS.