Prepaid Hoster FAQ

This guide explains how you can connect to a Linux server using SSH, transfer data between two servers, and download files to your own computer. It’s especially helpful if your main server is currently unavailable and you’re using a temporary KVM server.

What is SSH and why do I need it?

SSH (Secure Shell) is a secure protocol that allows you to log into a remote Linux server. It’s used to:

• Run commands remotely
• Access files and directories
• Transfer data securely

You’ll typically use the command line (terminal) to work via SSH. On Windows, you can use tools like PuTTY or WinSCP.

---

How do I connect to a Linux server via SSH?

To connect, you’ll need:

• The IP address of the server
• The username (usually root)
• The password or an SSH key

Example (Linux, macOS, or Windows using WSL):

ssh root@123.123.123.123

When connecting for the first time, you’ll be asked to confirm the fingerprint. Type yes and press Enter. Then, enter your password when prompted.

Tip for Windows users: Use PuTTY as an alternative if you’re not using a terminal.

---

How do I transfer data from one Linux server to another?

Method 1: Using scp (secure copy)

Great for small directories or single files.

Example:

scp -r /var/www/html root@212.87.215.194:/root/html-backup

• -r means “recursive” – it transfers entire directories.

Method 2: Using rsync (recommended for large or repeated transfers)

Efficient for large amounts of data or repeat transfers, as it only syncs changes.

Example:

rsync -avz /var/www/ root@212.87.215.194:/root/html-backup/

• -a: archive mode
• -v: verbose output
• -z: compression during transfer

---

What should I do if my server uses a non-standard SSH port?

Some servers use a custom SSH port instead of the default port 22. You’ll need to specify the correct port manually.

Connect using a custom SSH port:

ssh -p 2222 root@123.123.123.123

Use scp with a custom port:

scp -P 2222 -r /var/www/html root@destination:/root/

Use rsync with a custom port:

rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 2222" /var/www/ root@destination:/root/html-backup/

---

How do I download files from the server to my computer?

On Linux or macOS:

scp -r root@123.123.123.123:/root/html-backup /home/yourname/Documents/

With a custom port:

scp -P 2222 -r root@123.123.123.123:/root/html-backup /home/yourname/Documents/

On Windows using WinSCP:

1. Download WinSCP and install it.
2. Open the program and enter your connection details:
   • Protocol: SCP
   • Host name: Server IP address
   • Port number: e.g. 2222
   • Username: root
   • Password: your SSH password
3. You can now browse server files and drag & drop them to your PC.

---

What commands should I know?

Task	Command/Tool
Connect via default SSH port	ssh root@IP-address
Connect via custom SSH port	ssh -p PORT root@IP-address
Transfer data using scp	scp -r or scp -P PORT
Transfer data using rsync	rsync -avz or rsync -e "ssh -p PORT"
Download data to local PC	scp (Linux/macOS) or WinSCP (Windows)

---

How can I keep transfers running overnight?

Pro tip: If you’re running a large transfer that may take a while (e.g., overnight), it’s best to use the screen tool. This allows the process to continue even if you disconnect from the server or lose your internet connection.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Start a new screen session: screen -S transfer
2. Run your transfer command inside the screen session (e.g., rsync or scp).
3. To detach the screen session without stopping the process:
   • Press: Ctrl + A, then D
4. To resume the session later: screen -r transfer

If screen is not installed:

apt install screen

This way, you avoid interruptions and can safely run transfers in the background.

---

What can I do if I need help?

If you’re unsure or need assistance transferring your data, feel free to contact our support team.

To install Windows Server 2022 on your KVM server, you need to go through a few important steps. This guide will show you how to do it easily and quickly. All you need to do is enable the ISO feature, activate VNC, and prepare the ISO installation. After that, the installation of Windows Server 2022 can begin smoothly!

Note: This guide may look very long and might be intimidating. However, we have documented every single step to ensure you won’t face any unexpected surprises.

Enable ISO Feature

To use the ISO feature in the web interface, you first need to activate it in the settings.

• Click on “Miscellaneous” in the left menu
• Then open “VCP Settings”
• Go to the “Expert Functions” tab
• Set the “Enable ISO Upload for KVM Server” setting to “Enabled”.

A new menu entry will now appear in the navigation of your servers that are compatible with the ISO functionality, called the ISO Installer.

Activate VNC

To manually install your server later, you will need a VNC connection. This can be done easily through the browser.

• Open the cloud manager of the server where you want to install Windows.
• Click on “VPS Settings” in the action panel
• Open the tab named “VNC”.
• Enable VNC if it is not already enabled. You will need to stop and restart the server for the VNC functionality to be activated, allowing you to access the installation via the browser.
• Close the window and stop the server. Wait patiently until the server is fully shut down.
• Restart the server. Wait patiently until the process is complete. The system needs some time to configure VNC.

Prepare ISO Installation

Now it’s time to open the ISO Installer. Click on the corresponding menu entry.

Then let the web interface load all the data. Here you will see all the information about installing with an ISO disk.

• Shut down the server via the action buttons in the ISO Installer if it is still online.
• The ISO URL field will now be activated. Click on “Show Available ISOs” to select a predefined ISO. We have provided many ISOs for you. However, you can also enter your own URL. This must be publicly available.
• For Windows Server 2022, open “Windows” and select Windows Server 2022.
• You can choose a suitable distribution in the ISO Distribution list, but “win” is sufficient here.
• When you are ready, click on “Download and Start”. The process may take a short while. You can monitor the status live.
• Wait until the status switches to “ISO ready, installation can start”.
• Now connect to the NoVNC web console by clicking on “Open VNC Console”.
• If the Windows Installer does not start, you can send a reset (executed in 3 seconds) by clicking “Send Reset Signal”. Sometimes the installation starts only when any key is pressed at startup.

Install Windows Server 2022

Now you are in the Windows Server Setup.

• Select the desired language, time zone, and keyboard layout.
• Click on Next.
• Click on “Install Now”
• Wait for the setup to start.

Choose Operating System to Install

• Now select the operating system. In most cases, you will want to install “Windows Server 2022 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience)”. This is the second entry. Select this one.
• Click on Next.

Accept License Terms

• Accept the Microsoft Software License Terms by checking the box.
• Click on Next.

Select Installation Type

• Click on “Custom: Install Microsoft Server Operating System only” (2nd entry).

Select Disk for Installation

You now need to load a driver so that Windows can recognize the virtual disks. We have already inserted a virtual DVD with the appropriate drivers into your server.

• Click on “Load Driver”.
• Click on “Browse”.
• Find the CD drive “vz-tools-win” and navigate to
  • CD:\viostor\2k22\amd64
• Click on “OK”.

Windows will now load the necessary drivers.

• There should now be an entry for “Virtuozzo VirtIO SCSI controller”.
• Click on “Next”.
• Let Windows load the driver.
• The drives should now be recognized.
• Select each drive once and click “Delete”. This will remove the old operating system (Linux or Windows) from the server.
• Select the remaining drive and click on “Next”.
• Now Windows Server 2022 will be installed.

Wait patiently for this process to complete. The time it takes depends on the number of CPU cores. Windows will restart after the process is complete.

Prepare Windows

Windows has now booted from the disk.

• Enter your desired administrator password.
• Repeat your Windows password.
• Confirm by pressing “Enter” or clicking on “Finish”.

First Login

We are not quite done with the preparation yet. You need to log in via VNC once and enable RDP.

• Send a CTRL+ALT+DELETE signal to the server via VNC to access the login screen. You can find this option in the left menu panel of your VNC browser session.
• Log in with the administrator password you set earlier.

Wait for Windows to start the Server Manager.

Enable Remote Desktop

• In the Windows Server Manager, click on “Local Server”
• Click on “Disabled” next to “Remote Desktop”.
• In the dialog that opens, select “Allow remote connections to this computer”.
• Confirm the following information by clicking “OK”.
• Uncheck “Require Network Level Authentication” (directly below).
• Click “Apply”, then “OK”.
• Click on the “Refresh” icon at the top of the Server Manager to ensure that Remote Desktop is now enabled.

Configure Network

Final Step: Install Network Drivers

To actually connect to your server now, Windows of course needs a network connection. By default, the drivers for the virtual network card are not installed. But once again, the included driver DVD will help.

• Right-click on the Start button in the bottom left.
• Select “Device Manager”.
• Double-click on the entry with a warning triangle named “Ethernet Controller”.
• In the dialog that opens, click on “Update Driver”.
• Click on “Browse my computer for drivers”.
• Click on “Browse”.
• Again, search for the drive “Virtuozzo Tools”. Here you only need to select the drive.
• Make sure “Include subfolders” is selected.
• Click on “Next”.
• Wait for Windows to install the network driver.
• If Windows asks if the PC should be discoverable by other computers on the network, make sure to click “No”!

Complete ISO Installation

Now go back to the web interface and click on “Complete Installation” in the ISO Manager. The server will now be stopped one last time, the ISO will be removed, and the server will then be restarted.

You have now installed Windows and can connect to your server via Remote Desktop!

If you want to send an email from your server, there are many things to consider. You need a clean configuration so other mail providers do not classify your emails as spam or reject them completely. Sometimes the error messages can be a bit confusing.

If there is a configuration problem, Google might reject your emails with the following error message:

550-5.7.1 [45.145.224.X] The IP you're using to send mail is not authorized to 
550-5.7.1 send email directly to our servers. Please use the SMTP relay at your 
550-5.7.1 service provider instead. For more information, go to 

The IP you’re using to send mail is not authorized to send email directly to our servers. Please use the SMTP relay at your service provider instead. For more information, go to …

Why does this error occur?

Google rejects emails sent from IP addresses listed in the Spamhaus database. This is to prevent spam and unwanted emails. This can cause the error message.

How can I fix this problem?

1. Check your IP address: Go to Spamhaus. Enter your server’s IP address to see if it is listed.
2. Remove the IP from the list: Follow the instructions on the Spamhaus website to remove your IP address from the database. Usually, removal is immediate.
3. Use an SMTP relay server: Instead of sending emails directly from your server, configure your mail server to use an SMTP relay server provided by your service provider. This increases the chances of your emails being delivered correctly.

If you have any questions about this topic, you can check Google’s error codes (https://support.google.com/a/answer/3726730?hl=en) or contact our support team.

How can I clone my server?

Cloning a server at Prepaid-Hoster is an easy process that you can complete in a few steps. Here’s how you can clone your server.

Step 1: Enable Data Backup

First, turn on data backup on your old server. This is important to ensure that all your data is securely stored.

Step 2: Create a Backup

Create a backup of your server. This will be used as a template for cloning.

1. Go to the Backup Section: Sign in to the web interface and navigate to the backup section of your server.
2. Start the Backup: Click on “Create Backup.” You may be asked to enter a name and description for the backup.
3. Wait for Completion: The backup process can take a few minutes to several hours, depending on the size of your data.

Step 3: Get a New Server

Get a new server that has at least the same amount of disk space as the original server. This is necessary to transfer the backup to the new server.

Step 4: Transfer Backup

In the management area, select the option “Clone from Backup.”

1. Select the Backup: In the clone section, choose the previously created backup from the list.
2. Select Destination Server: Choose the new server to which the backup should be transferred.
3. Confirm: Check the box “Yes, I understand that my data on the server will be deleted and replaced with the chosen backup!”

Step 5: Start Cloning Process

Click on “Transfer Backup” and confirm. You will then be redirected to the maintenance window. The server will shut down, the backup will be downloaded, and installed on the new server. This process can take varying amounts of time depending on the size of the disk.

Following these steps should help you successfully clone your server. If you have any further questions, our support team is always here to help.

This guide will help you quickly and easily log in to your Windows server with Prepaid-Hoster and use the Remote Desktop Connection.

Preparation:

Remote Desktop is automatically enabled on Windows Servers:

• Note down your server’s IP address.

Find your password in the Cloud Manager:

• Log in to the Cloud Manager and navigate to your server to retrieve the password.

Install Windows after ordering:

Go to your server in the Cloud Manager and select the option to install Windows.

Establish a Connection

Open the Remote Desktop Connection on your Windows PC

• Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter.
• Enter the server’s IP address and click Connect.

Enter your login details

• Username: Administrator
• Password: Your assigned password (from the Cloud Manager)

Accept certificate warning

• A warning may appear that the identity of the remote computer cannot be verified. This is because the certificate does not come from a trusted certification authority.
• Check “Don’t ask me again” and click Yes to proceed with the connection.

Tips

• Security: Ensure your password is strong and secure.
• Performance: Close unnecessary programs to improve connection quality.

Final Notes

This guide helps you access your Windows server efficiently. If you encounter any issues, our support team is available anytime to assist you.