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    Resetting Root Password

    Reset your VPS root password using the control panel

    Table of Contents

    When You Need to Reset

    You may need to reset your root password if:

    • You've forgotten the root password
    • The password was compromised
    • You inherited a VPS without knowing the password
    • You want to improve security with a stronger password

    Resetting via SolusVM Control Panel

    The easiest way to reset your root password is through the SolusVM control panel.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Log into your Client Area
    2. Navigate to your VPS service
    3. Click "Login to SolusVM"
    4. In SolusVM, click "Root Password" or "Settings"
    5. Enter a new password (or generate a random one)
    6. Click "Change" or "Reset Password"
    7. Wait a moment for the change to take effect

    Password Requirements

    When choosing a new password, make sure it:

    • Is at least 8-12 characters long
    • Contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
    • Includes numbers and special characters
    • Is not based on dictionary words
    • Is unique and not reused from other services

    Pro Tip: Generate Strong Passwords

    Use SolusVM's built-in password generator or a password manager to create strong, random passwords. This is more secure than creating passwords manually.

    After Resetting the Password

    Test SSH Access

    Once you've reset the password, test that you can log in:

    ssh root@your-vps-ip
# Enter your new password when prompted

    Update Saved Credentials

    Remember to update your password in:

    • Your password manager
    • Saved SSH connections
    • Documentation or notes
    • Any automated scripts or tools

    Alternative Methods

    Using Console Access

    If you have console access but forgot the password, you can boot into rescue mode or single-user mode to reset the password manually.

    1. Boot VPS into rescue mode via SolusVM
    2. Access console through SolusVM
    3. Mount your root partition
    4. Use chroot to access your system
    5. Run passwd root to set new password
    6. Exit and reboot normally

    Via Support Ticket

    If you can't access SolusVM or console, contact support to help reset your password. You'll need to verify your account ownership.

    Security Best Practices

    After Resetting Password

    • Enable SSH key authentication for better security
    • Disable password authentication once keys are set up
    • Change SSH port from default 22
    • Install fail2ban to protect against brute force attacks
    • Keep software updated to patch security vulnerabilities

    Using SSH Keys Instead

    For enhanced security, consider using SSH keys instead of passwords:

    # Generate SSH key pair on your local machine
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

# Copy public key to your VPS
ssh-copy-id root@your-vps-ip

# Test key-based login
ssh root@your-vps-ip

    Once SSH keys are working, you can disable password authentication in /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

    PasswordAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes

    Troubleshooting

    Password Reset Didn't Work

    • Wait 1-2 minutes and try again
    • Make sure VPS is running
    • Try rebooting the VPS after password change
    • Check if you're typing the password correctly (mind capitals and special characters)

    Still Can't Log In

    • Verify you're connecting to the correct IP address
    • Check if SSH service is running (use console)
    • Look for firewall rules blocking SSH
    • Try accessing via console instead of SSH

    Important Security Notes

    • Never share your root password with anyone
    • Change passwords immediately if you suspect compromise
    • Use unique passwords for each server
    • Enable two-factor authentication where possible
    • Regularly audit who has access to your servers

    Need Additional Help?

    If you're having trouble resetting your password, open a support ticket at clientarea.ramnode.com. Our team can assist you with password recovery.