Server Setup & Administration

Affordable self-hosted servers, built to handle thousands of users

Security configured from the start

Proper setup done right from day one

Self Hosting

We use platforms like AWS and Google Cloud when they genuinely make sense for a project. That said, we’re careful about defaulting to expensive cloud services for everyday web hosting. Many teams have been led to believe that large cloud platforms are the only viable option, when in reality most websites can be hosted far more affordably and with far less complexity on a well-configured self-hosted server or VPS.

It’s also worth remembering that Reddit operated on a single server for years while supporting a substantial codebase and a large, active user base. Today, cloud providers often suggest that this level of performance is only achievable through their high-cost scaling tools, but that simply isn’t the case. Modern self-hosted servers are extremely capable, highly reliable, and more than sufficient to support thousands of users without unnecessary infrastructure overhead.

Running Your Own Server Is Easy - When It’s Set Up the Right Way

Launching a cloud server is simple, configuring it properly is where things really matter. At IBEX Technology, we prepare your server with the same tried-and-tested applications and best-practice stack used by leading web-hosting companies, ensuring you start with a secure, fast and reliable foundation.

From a hardened Ubuntu installation to optimised web-hosting environments, we handle the critical early setup steps: security tightening, software installation, SSL, and more. Once we’ve done the groundwork, running your server day-to-day becomes straightforward and far more capable than an off-the-shelf hosting plan.

Self host your websites on your own server

Use an Ubuntu cloud server from one of the low-cost cloud providers such as Hetzner and DigitalOcean.

With monthly prices for a dedicated Ubuntu server running on shared hardware (Virtual Private Server) starting from €3.49 / $4.09 a month, self-hosting is a really cost-effective option. Host one website on it, or several. With today’s virtual private servers offering ample power for high-usage websites, don’t be fooled by hosting providers’ claims that you need high-priced monthly hosting packages to run high-performance websites.

One-off payment

Secure Ubuntu using best practices, including root account lock down, SSH key pair secure login
Install Apache, MariaDB (MySQL), PHP - the LAMP stack favoured by many hosting providers
Setup server firewall to only permit ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS and SSH access
Install Let's Encrypt for free secure SSL certificates
Setup a single webspace using PHP-FPM (the high-performance FastCGI implementation for PHP)
Configure Apache and PHP for http:// and https:// using a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate
Optimise Apache, PHP and MariaDB for fast performance,
Provide SFTP over SSH connection instructions for VSCode, MobaXterm, Dreamweaver
Provide secure SSH connection instructions for PuTTY, MobaXterm
Provide secure Database admin via SSH instructions for Navicat
Completion report detailing configuration steps taken, connection instructions and all usernames and passwords created
The passwords and keyfiles we create for your server are never stored on a cloud based service other than when securely passed to you. Deletion from our records once your server setup has been accepted

One-off payment

Secure Ubuntu using best practices, including root account lock down, SSH key pair secure login
Install Apache, MariaDB (MySQL), PHP - the LAMP stack favoured by many hosting providers
Setup server firewall to only permit ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS and SSH access
Install Let's Encrypt for free secure SSL certificates
Setup a single webspace using PHP-FPM (the high-performance FastCGI implementation for PHP)
Configure Apache and PHP for http:// and https:// using a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate
Optimise Apache, PHP and MariaDB for fast performance,
Install WordPress ready for you to create your website
Provide SFTP over SSH connection instructions for VSCode, MobaXterm, Dreamweaver
Provide secure SSH connection instructions for PuTTY, MobaXterm
Provide secure Database admin via SSH instructions for Navicat
Completion report detailing configuration steps taken, connection instructions and all usernames and passwords created
The passwords and keyfiles we create for your server are never stored on a cloud based service other than when securely passed to you. Deletion from our records once your server setup has been accepted

Popular

Additional Setup Services

Prices exclude VAT (sales tax) if chargeable (we are a UK based company). VAT is not chargeable to EU VAT registered companies.
This is a one-off setup service, you are responsible for the ongoing management of your server. Future support is not included within these prices.

All handled by our in-house UK based team

We are 100% security-focused. Access to your server is never provided to anyone outside of IBEX Technology Ltd and we operate strict in-house security practices to protect your server access details.

Our Setup Includes These Key Security Features

root account login disabled.
admin account created for server administration.
User account created per webspace with access to webspace files only.
Password based remote access disabled for all accounts.
Private key file authentication requried for all accounts with password protected key file. Store your key file and password in separate places for best security - if one becomes compromised the other still protects access. Tip: don't store your keyfiles in cloud backed up storage if your password manager includes the password for it - if your password manager became compromised an attacker could be able to get your key files too!
Firewall configured to only allow remote IPv4 access for ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH (internal loopback connections and outbound connections allowed for all IPv4 and IPv6 ports).
Database remote connections only possible via admin account using SSH connection.
SFTP remote connections only possible from webspace account(s) using SSH connection.
Webspace https:// access using Let's Encrypt SSL certificate(s) (one per webspace).
Built in OS tools used where possible. Minimal additional software packages installed, to reduce potential attack vectors from software exploits (you can add any additional software packages you need using the admin account).
Deletion of your passwords and key files from our records once your server setup has been accepted.