Run your machine, not a support ticket.
Every Hostrena server includes a console you operate yourself. You read its load, take an image, add a disk, change its firewall and reinstall it. Read about each of those areas and which hardware it runs on.
Every area on every machine
VPS and VDS are cloud machines, so they carry the cloud fabric with them. You get images, attachable volumes, private networks and a firewall that sits in front of the machine. A dedicated server is physical hardware, and the rows below state this clearly.
| Console area | VPS | VDS | Dedicated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metrics Read CPU, disk and network usage, plotted from live readings rather than a daily summary. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Backups Keep automatic images on a schedule the platform runs, plus one you take yourself before making a risky change. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Not offered on this hardware |
| Snapshots Take a manual image of the whole disk and keep it until you delete it, with no schedule attached. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Not offered on this hardware |
| Storage Create, format, attach, mount and grow block volumes without rebuilding the machine. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Not offered on this hardware |
| Network Manage public IPv4 and IPv6 with your own reverse DNS, and run private networks between your machines. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Firewall Enforce rules in the network before traffic reaches the machine. A misconfigured host stays closed. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Not offered on this hardware |
| Operating systems Pick a system image and rebuild the machine onto it. You get a fresh root password shown once. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Power and reboot Start, stop and reboot the machine. You watch the state change as it happens. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Refresh from the provider Re-read the machine from the platform it runs on. This makes the console and the hardware agree. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Billing and renewal Check the billing cycle, the renewal date and the renewal amount, right on the machine itself. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware |
| Add-ons Turn on a paid extra, such as automatic backups or a block-storage volume. It joins the same renewal cycle. | Included on this hardware | Included on this hardware | Not offered on this hardware |
Included on this hardware Not offered on this hardware
Seven areas in detail
Each area has its own page covering what it does, what it refuses to do, and the rule that catches people out.
One console per machine
Every server you buy gets its own workspace. The rail on the left holds the seven areas below. The page in front of you is always about one machine, named by its hostname and its reference.
- The hostname, the IP address and the power state show up on every screen.
- Anything that talks to the hardware goes into a queue, so the page never hangs waiting.
- The reference in the URL matches the one on your invoice.
- A machine being built displays its progress instead of an empty page.
What is on by default and what you turn on
Some areas are part of the machine. Two are paid extras, and we state this clearly so you never face a surprise in the console.
You find no switch to flick and no extra line on the invoice.
- Metrics
- Snapshots
- Network
- Firewall
- Operating systems
- Power and reboot
Both are add-ons you activate on the machine. The price joins the server's own renewal, keeping you on a single invoice.
- Automatic backups
- Block-storage volumes
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the same console on a VPS and a VDS?
Yes. Both are cloud machines and carry every area on this page. The difference between them is the hardware you receive, not the tools you get to run it.
Why does a dedicated server have fewer areas?
A dedicated server is a physical machine rather than a slice of cloud fabric, so areas built on that fabric have nothing to attach to. Provider images, attachable volumes and private networks do not apply. Metrics, networking and operating-system rebuilds still work.
What is the difference between a backup and a snapshot?
A backup runs on a platform schedule and is kept for you. A snapshot is one you take by hand and keep until you delete it. The snapshots page sets the two side by side for a clear comparison.
Do I need root access to use any of this?
No. Everything on this page happens outside the operating system, right from the console. You still get full root access to the machine itself, and what you do inside it is your business.
Can I move between plans later?
Yes. Talk to us before you resize and we will tell you what carries across. We explain what needs a rebuild and what it does to your renewal date.
Pick a machine and open the console
Choose a VPS, a VDS or a dedicated server. The console is ready the moment your machine finishes building.