Getting started with FreeBSD on your VPS

FreeBSD is a free, powerful Unix-like operating system known for stability, performance, and security. This guide covers essential first steps after provisioning a FreeBSD VPS at UnderHost. ## 1. Connect via SSH {#connect-ssh} Find your VPS credentials in CustomerPanel under **My Services**. Connect using SSH: ```bash ssh root@your.server.ip ``` Replace `your.server.ip` with your VPS IP address. If prompted, accept the key fingerprint. ## 2. Update the System {#update-system} FreeBSD uses **freebsd-update** for security updates: ```bash freebsd-update fetch freebsd-update install ``` For the ports collection (software packages): ```bash portsnap fetch portsnap extract ``` Or update an existing installation: ```bash portsnap fetch update ``` ## 3. Configure PF Firewall {#firewall-basics} FreeBSD includes **PF** (Packet Filter), a powerful firewall. Check if it's running: ```bash pfctl -s rules ``` Enable PF at boot by editing `/etc/rc.conf`: ```bash sysrc pf_enable="YES" ``` Start PF: ```bash service pf start ``` Edit the PF configuration file at `/etc/pf.conf`. A basic configuration: ``` # Allow SSH pass in on egress proto tcp from any to any port ssh # Allow HTTP and HTTPS pass in on egress proto tcp from any to any port { http, https } # Block everything else by default block in all ``` Apply the rules: ```bash pfctl -f /etc/pf.conf ``` ## 4. Create a Non-Root User {#create-user} Create a regular user for day-to-day tasks: ```bash adduser ``` Follow the prompts. Add the user to the wheel group for sudo access: ```bash pw group mod wheel -m username ``` Enable sudo by editing `/etc/sudoers` (use `visudo`): ```bash visudo ``` Uncomment the line: `%wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL` Test the new user by switching to it: ```bash su - username sudo whoami ``` ## 5. Install Software with Ports or Packages {#install-software} FreeBSD offers two ways to install software: **Ports** (compile from source) or **Packages** (pre-compiled). **Using Packages (faster):** ```bash pkg install nginx pkg install php82 php82-extensions php82-mysqli pkg install mariadb-server ``` **Using Ports (more customization):** ```bash cd /usr/ports/www/nginx make install clean ``` **Web Server (Nginx):** ```bash pkg install nginx sysrc nginx_enable="YES" service nginx start ``` **PHP-FPM:** ```bash pkg install php82 php82-fpm php82-mysqli sysrc php_fpm_enable="YES" service php-fpm start ``` **MySQL/MariaDB:** ```bash pkg install mariadb-server sysrc mysql_enable="YES" service mysql-server start mysql_secure_installation ``` **Git:** ```bash pkg install git ``` ## Next Steps {#next-steps} - Configure your web server (Nginx or Apache) - Deploy your application - Set up SSL certificates with Let's Encrypt - Configure regular backups - Monitor system resources with top or iostat - Read the [OS Comparison guide](/article/os-comparison/) for other options - Visit the FreeBSD Handbook: https://docs.freebsd.org/en/books/handbook/ For more help, see our [VPS management guide](/article/manage-vps/) or [contact support](/article/contact-support/). **Related:** [Getting started with Ubuntu Server on your VPS](/article/ubuntu-server-guide/) | [Getting started with AlmaLinux on your VPS](/article/almalinux-guide/) | [Linux and Windows operating systems for VPS-which to choose](/article/os-comparison/) | [How to choose the right operating system for your VPS](/article/choose-os/)

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