Arch Linux on a VPS

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From Wikipedia:Virtual private server:

Virtual private server (VPS) is a term used by Internet hosting services to refer to a virtual machine. The term is used for emphasizing that the virtual machine, although running in software on the same physical computer as other customers' virtual machines, is in many respects functionally equivalent to a separate physical computer, is dedicated to the individual customer's needs, has the privacy of a separate physical computer, and can be configured to run server software.

This article discusses the use of Arch Linux on Virtual Private Servers, and includes some fixes and installation instructions specific to VPSes.

Warning:

• Since many container-based virtualization environments rely on older kernels, it may be impossible to keep an Arch Linux install up-to-date in such an environment. Linux 2.6.32, used by OpenVZ 6, is not supported by systemd since version 205 (and will not work with systemd-212 or higher). OpenVZ does sometimes backport newer kernel features into its kernel, but as of 2018-06-27, a fresh installation of Arch does not work on OpenVZ 6 kernel version 2.6.32-042stab131.1 . Arch can be installed on OpenVZ 7, with a minor workaround, as of OpenVZ 7 kernel version 3.10.0-693-21.1.vz7.48.2 .

Official Arch Linux cloud image

Arch Linux provides an official cloud image as part of the arch-boxes project. The image comes with Cloud-init preinstalled and should work with most cloud providers.

The image can be downloaded from the mirrors under the images directory. Instructions for tested providers is listed below:

Provider	Locations	Note
Digital Ocean	Global	Find the cloud image on a mirror, ex: https://mirror.pkgbuild.com/images/latest/Arch-Linux-x86_64-cloudimg-yyyymmdd.12345.qcow2 (check here for the latest link: https://mirror.pkgbuild.com/images/latest/) Add the image as a custom image by importing it Create a new VM from the custom image SSH to the VM: ssh root@<ip>
Hetzner Cloud	Nuremberg, Falkenstein (Germany), Helsinki (Finland)	Create a new VM with this user data: #cloud-config vendor_data: {'enabled': false} The vendor_data from Hetzner overrides the distro and sets the default user to root without setting disable_root: false, meaning you can not login Boot the VM in rescue mode SSH to the VM and download the cloud image from a mirror, ex: curl -O https://mirror.pkgbuild.com/images/vyyyymmdd.12345/Arch-Linux-x86_64-cloudimg-yyyymmdd.12345.qcow2 Write the image to the disk: qemu-img convert -f qcow2 -O raw Arch-Linux-x86_64-cloudimg-yyymmdd.12345.qcow2 /dev/sda Reboot the VM SSH to the VM: ssh arch@<ip>
Linode	Multiple international locations	Create a new VM and select Arch as the distro (to use the Linode-provided image, stop here; otherwise proceed with the rest of the steps) Boot the VM in rescue mode Connect to the VM via the Lish console and download the basic image from a mirror, ex: curl -O https://mirror.pkgbuild.com/images/latest/Arch-Linux-x86_64-basic-yyyymmdd.0.qcow2 Install the qemu-utils package: apt update && apt install qemu-utils Write the image to the disk: qemu-img convert -f qcow2 -O raw Arch-Linux-x86_64-basic-yyyymmdd.0.qcow2 /dev/sda In the Linode manager, go to the VM's configurations menu and edit the config to change the kernel option to "Direct Disk" Reboot the VM SSH to the VM: ssh arch@<ip>
Proxmox	N/A	Create a new VM Select "Do not use any media" in OS section. Remove created hard disk from your VM after VM creation completes. Add the downloaded image to your VM using qm importdisk, ex: qm importdisk 100 Arch-Linux-x86_64-cloudimg-20210315.17387.qcow2 local Add a cloudinit drive and make your configurations in Cloud-Init section. Start the VM!

Providers that offer Arch Linux

Warning: We cannot vouch for the honesty or quality of any provider. Please conduct due diligence before ordering.

Note: This list is for providers with a convenient Arch Linux template. Using Arch on other providers is possible but requires more work. Example methods include:

• Loading custom disc images (requires hardware virtualization such as in Xen or KVM),
  • Ex the official Arch cloud image
• Installing under chroot, for example with the help of the vps2arch script (it will download the latest iso; be particularly aware of the systemd 220/221 bug), or
• Following #Installing the latest Arch Linux on any OpenVZ container provider instructions, using rsync to synchronize Arch over the top of another distribution.

Provider	Archiso release	Virtualization	Locations	Notes
1984hosting.com	2016.x	Xen	Iceland (IS)	Hardware will provide any image you request, has Arch in default image list.
4smart.cz	2013.08	OpenVZ	Prague, CZ	(Czech language site only) when updating system make sure you use [tredaelli-systemd] in pacman.conf (see Unofficial user repositories
affinity.net.nz	2013.08.01	KVM	Auckland, New Zealand (NZ)	IRC channel is #affinity on ircs.kiwicon.org
Atlantic.Net	2016.03.01	KVM	NYC/SF/Toronto/Dallas/Orlando, US & Canada	100% SSD 1-click Arch Linux, ready in 30 seconds. It is also easy to update Arch to the current version because the pre-provisioned Arch image is relatively current.
BuyVM	2017.08.01	KVM	Buffalo, (US-NY); Las Vegas, (US-NV); Luxembourg, Germany (DE)	Cannot select Arch at purchase. Once purchased, use Stallion control panel to install Arch manually from ISO.
CloudVIP	Latest	KVM	Brussels, Belgium	French site and support.
Coinshost	2015.04	Xen	Zurich, Switzerland	Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies accepted.
Cherry Host[dead link 2021-11-07 ⓘ]	Latest	KVM	Santee, US-CA	Must submit a support ticket to get Arch installed.
Contabo	Latest	KVM	Germany	Only place to get 500 GB for 7€ - Decent speed. Other cheaps plans add snapshots, which is useful if you VPS runs a rolling release distro.
DirectVPS	2014.01.xx	OpenVZ	Amsterdam, NL; Rotterdam, NL	(Dutch language site only)
Edis	2019.02.01	vServer, KVM, OpenVZ	Multiple international locations.	Also offer dedicated server options as well as an "off-shore" location at the Isle of Man (IM). Requires mounting an Arch ISO for a full manual install.
Hetzner	2020.06.01	KVM	Nuremberg, DE; Falkenstein, DE; Helsinki, FI	You cannot choose Arch Linux directly on the order form. Order Ubuntu or something first, then go to ISO Images, mount Arch Linux, reboot server, and log in to web console to complete installation.
GigaTux	2013.06.01	Xen	Chicago, US-IL; Frankfurt, DE; London, GB; San Jose, US-CA	Currently, when changing to the US$ currency, the page breaks and it is not possible to provision a server.
Leapswitch Networks	2013.10.xx	OpenVZ/KVM	USA, India, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, Germany	Arch Linux currently available in Control Panel for reinstall, not on order form.
Linevast.de	Latest	OpenVZ, KVM	Germany	Arch Linux is possible on openvz and on KVM with the one click os installer.
Linode	Latest	KVM	Multiple international locations	Linode instances are configured to run Arch's kernel by default. Linode provides custom kernels which can be selected in the manager settings. There are also community-supported kernels in the AUR, such as linux-linodeAUR.
LYLIX	2014.01.xx[dead link 2021-05-09 ⓘ]	OpenVZ	Multiple US; Europe	32-bit and 64-bit available
Netcup	2020.09.01	KVM	Germany (DE)	German language: Netcup
MedHaHosting	Latest	KVM	Buffalo, NY, USA; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA	Arch Linux available on request. Many Linux and Windows hosting options.
MonoVM	Latest	VMware	USA - Canada - Netherlands - Germany - UK - France - Denmark	VMware Based VPS Server Provider.
OnePoundWebHosting	2014.01	Xen PV, Xen HVM	United Kingdom (UK)	They are a registrar too. Unable to verify server locations.
PacmanVPS	2014.01	KVM	Canada (CA), Poland (PL)	Arch image is very old and PacmanVPS repos are broken. Not possible to update Arch. Site appears unmaintained.
Proplay	Latest	OpenVZ, KVM	Germany (DE)	(German language site only)
Rackspace Cloud	2013.6	Xen	Multiple international locations[dead link 2020-12-19 ⓘ]	Billed per hour. Use their "next gen" VPSes (using the mycloud.rackspace.com panel); the Arch image on the first gen Rackspace VPSes is out of date.
RamHost.us	2013.05.01	OpenVZ, KVM	Los Angeles, US-CA; Great Britain (GB); Atlanta, US-GA; Germany (DE)	You can request a newer ISO on RamHost's IRC network.
RamNode	2016.01.01	SSD and SSD Cached: KVM	Alblasserdam, NL; Atlanta, GA-US; Los Angeles, CA-US; New York, NY-US; Seattle, WA-US	You can request Host/CPU passthrough with KVM service.[1] Frequent use of discount promotions.[2], Must install Arch manually from an ISO using VNC viewer.
RoseHosting	Latest	OpenVZ, KVM	St. Louis, Missouri, USA	SSD powered hosting plans with free fully-managed 24/7 support. No unmanaged VPS offerings.
SeedVPS	Latest	OpenVZ, KVM	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Linux VPS and Windows VPS Hosting in The Netherlands (NL). Newer ISO can be requested by opening a support ticket.
Server Cheap	Latest	OpenVZ, KVM	Chicago, Illinois, USA	Arch Linux available on request. Windows, BSD, and many Linux distribution hosting options.
SkyHost	Latest	LXC	Moscow, Yaroslavl, Russia
Tilaa	2016.03.01	KVM[dead link 2020-03-28 ⓘ]	Amsterdam, NL
TransIP	latest	KVM	Amsterdam, NL	For latest image, submit ticket. Also registrar.
upCUBE[dead link 2021-05-09 ⓘ]	Latest	Docker	Germany	Different prepared arch linux templates available
Virpus	2014.11.07	Xen	Kansas City, US-KS; Los Angeles, US-CA	Arch is not offered as a choice when creating a server (even though the Arch logo is prominently featured on the site). As of 2018, the most recent version of Ubuntu offered is 14.04, and the limited-time promo code for new sign ups is over two years old. None of this generates much trust.
Virtual Master	2012-08	??	Prague, CZ
VPS6.NET	2013.01.xx	OpenVZ, Xen, HVM-ISO	Multiple US; Frankfurt, DE; Bucharest, RO; Istanbul, TR	Registrar.
VPSBG.eu	2013.10	OpenVZ	Sofia, Bulgaria	Offshore VPS in Bulgaria - anonymous registrations and Bitcoin are accepted.
VPSCHEAP	2016.10	NVM KVM	Dallas, TX, USA	Has one plan that allows you to select Arch Linux, but does not appear in any other plan, but available on request. The system is severely outdated. To fix it install archlinux-keyring, then run pacman -Syu.
VPSSERVER	2015.07	KVM	Chicago, US-IL; Dallas, US-TX; Miami, US-FL; New York, US-NY; Silicon Valley, US-CA; Amsterdam, NL; Frankfurt, DE; London, UK	Currently the latest Arch Linux OS version we are providing is 2015.07 x64 and you cannot update the OS version to the new version.
Vultr	Latest	KVM	Multiple International locations	When deploying a new server just select the Arch install ISO from Vultr ISO Library. Then just manually run through the standard Arch installation guide.
World4You	2015.10.28	OpenVZ	Austria (AT)	Internet hosting provider; quick setup; 24/7 support; shared web hosting; also CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch OpenVZ servers; supports newest systemd (227 atm)
XenVZ	2009.12.07	OpenVZ, Xen	United Kingdom (UK), United States (US)	Hardware
ZappieHost	Latest	LXC	Auckland, New Zealand (NZ)	Hosted on redundant SSDs. Kernel 4.X using LXC
Misaka.io / zeptoVM	Latest	KVM	Multiple International locations	Images are built every 24 hrs
VPSDime	Latest	KVM	Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles, New Jersey, London, Amsterdam	Premium VPS line supports manual install. Just Choose ArchLinux in the order or reinstall form. If you want ArchLinux on Linux VPS line, then simply submit a ticket.

Providers with Community provided Arch Linux support

Warning: We cannot vouch for the honesty or quality of any provider. Please conduct due diligence before ordering.

Note: Arch Linux is not officially supported by these providers. The images and scripts listed here are created by the community.

Provider	Installation Type	Locations	Notes
Amazon Web Services	Custom Images	Global
Digital Ocean	Official Arch cloud image, Conversion Script or Custom Image	Global	IPv6 does not work with custom images, but works with conversion script
Google Cloud Platform	Custom Image	Global

Installation

KVM

See QEMU#Preparing an Arch Linux guest.

OpenVZ

Installing the latest Arch Linux on any OpenVZ container provider

Warning: Please refer to the warning about the older kernel version and systemd at the top of the page, and note the workaround for OpenVZ 7 below.

It is possible to directly copy an installation of Arch Linux over the top of a working OpenVZ VPS. This tutorial explains how to create a basic installation of Arch Linux with pacstrap (as used in a standard install) and then replace the contents of a target VPS with it using rsync.

This process (with minor modification) also works to migrate existing Arch installations between various environments and has been confirmed to work in migrating from OpenVZ to Xen and from Xen to OpenVZ. For an install to Xen, other hardware-virtualized platforms, or even to physical hardware, extra steps (basically running mkinitcpio and installing a boot loader) are needed.

Prerequisites

• A working Arch Linux installation
  • To keep things simple, it should match the architecture you want to install on your VPS (x86_64 or i686).
  • To build from other distributions, arch-bootstrap.sh can be used in place of pacstrap.
• The arch-install-scripts, rsync, and openssh packages from the official repositories
  • SSH is not strictly required, but rsync over SSH is the method used here.
• A VPS running any distribution, with rsync and a working SSH server
  • Its architecture (x86_64 or i686) does not matter as long as the OpenVZ installation can support your target architecture.
• OpenVZ's serial console feature (usually accessible via your provider's control panel)
  • Without this, any network configuration for the target VPS will have to be done immediately after the "Build" step below.

Building a clean Arch Linux installation

As root, build the installation (optionally replacing build with your preferred target directory):

# mkdir build
# pacstrap -cd build

Other tweaks for the pacstrap command:

• -C custom-pacman-config.conf - Use a custom pacman configuration file. By default, pacstrap builds according to your local pacman.conf. This determines the architecture (i686 or x86_64) of the build, the mirror list, etc.
• -G - Prevent pacstrap from copying your system's pacman keyring to the new build. If you use this option, you will need to run pacman-key --init and pacman-key --populate archlinux in the Configuration step to set up the keyring.
• -M - Prevent pacstrap from copying your system's pacman mirror list to the new build.
• You can pass a list of packages to pacstrap to add them to your install, instead of the default base group. For example: pacstrap -cd build base openssh dnsutils gnu-netcat traceroute vim

Preparing the Arch build for use on an OpenVZ 7 container

OpenVZ 7 will fail to start a container if some expected network configuration files do not exist. The easiest way to get around this is as follows:

1. Create the OpenVZ 7 container as Debian 8 (Debian 9 would probably work as well).
2. Create the required blank network configuration files inside the Arch build, as follows:

# mkdir build/etc/network
# touch build/etc/network/interfaces
# mkdir -p build/etc/resolvconf/resolv.conf.d
# touch build/etc/resolvconf/resolv.conf.d/base

Replacing everything on the VPS with the Arch build

Replace all files, directories, etc. on your target VPS with the contents of your build directory (replacing "YOUR.VPS.IP.ADDRESS" below):

Warning: Be careful with the following command. By design, rsync is very destructive, especially with any of the --delete options.

# rsync -axH --numeric-ids --delete-delay -e ssh --stats -P build/ YOUR.VPS.IP.ADDRESS:/

Explanation of options:

• -a - Required. Preserves timestamps, permissions, etc.
• --delete - Required. Deletes anything in the target that does not exist in the source
• -x - Important. Prevents the crossing of filesystem boundaries (other partitions, /dev, etc.) during the copy
• -H - Important. Preserves hardlinks
• --numeric-ids - Important. Does not assign user/group ownership of files based on matching user and group names and instead uses the numeric IDs directly, ensuring proper file ownership on the target system
• --delete-delay - Recommended. Enables alternate deletion mode which waits to delete anything until the synchronization is otherwise complete, which may reduce the risk of a slow transfer causing the target VPS to lock-up
• -e ssh - Recommended. Uses rsync over SSH (recommended for simplicity compared to setting up an rsync server)
• -P - Recommended. Shows partial progress information during transfer
• --stats - Recommended. Shows transfer statistics at the end

Configuration

1. Reboot the VPS externally (using your provider's control panel, for example).
2. Using OpenVZ's serial console feature, configure the network and basic system settings (ignoring fstab generation and arch-chroot steps).
   • If you do not have access to the serial console feature, you will need to preconfigure your network settings before synchronizing Arch to the VPS.
   • On some VPS configuration you will not have a gateway to connect to, here is an example netctl configuration for this setup. It configures static IP addresses and default routes on venet0 and uses Google Public DNS.

/etc/netctl/venet

Description='VPS venet connection'
Interface=venet0
Connection=ethernet

IP=static
Address=('192.0.2.42/32')
Routes=('default')

IP6=static
Address6=('2001:db8::1234:5678/128')
Routes6=('default')

DNS=('2001:4860:4860::8888' '2001:4860:4860::8844' '8.8.8.8' '8.8.4.4')

Xen

See Xen.