FAQ
Questions, answered plainly.
ServerNest is still in development. Where something isn't ready yet, we say so.
The basics
What is ServerNest?
One simple dashboard for the Linux servers you already own. You install a small program, called an agent, on your server. Then you set up sites, PHP, databases and free SSL from the dashboard. ServerNest is still in development. Most things on this page are built and being tested in our preview. Where something is planned, we say so.
Is it ready to use?
Not for everyone yet. We're building it now and early-access users will try it first. See the roadmap, or ask for early access.
Do I need my own server?
Yes. ServerNest isn't a hosting company. You rent a VPS from any provider, or use a dedicated server or a machine in your office, and pay for it yourself.
Which Linux systems will work?
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and Debian 13 are fully supported. Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, Red Hat, Fedora, openSUSE Leap, Ubuntu 22.04 and Debian 12 are in preview: they connect and most tools work, but some are still being tested. See the full list.
Can I connect a server that already has websites on it?
Yes. ServerNest looks for sites that are already set up on the server and offers to add them to your dashboard. For your first server, a fresh one is still the safest way to start.
What happens to my websites if ServerNest itself is down?
They keep running. Your sites live on your server, not with us. You can't make changes from the dashboard until it's back, and your server reconnects by itself.
Security and control
Do I have to open any ports on my server?
No, not for ServerNest. Your server connects out to us, so we never need a way in. Your websites still need the normal web ports.
Do you need my root password or SSH key?
No. You run one install command on your server and enter a one-time code. We don't ask for your root password or your SSH keys.
Can ServerNest run any command on my server?
No. There is no remote shell. ServerNest can only run a fixed list of safe actions.
Do I keep full access to my server?
Yes. It's your server. You can still log in over SSH and use it as you normally would.
Can I see who changed what?
Yes. Every change made through ServerNest is logged, with who made it, on which server and when.
What does ServerNest collect from my server?
Basic facts such as the Linux version, CPU, memory and disk size, health numbers like CPU and disk use, and the results of the actions you start. Logs are read only when you open them in the dashboard. We don't copy your website files or database contents. Backups go straight to your own storage, encrypted. The dashboard will have its own privacy notice when it launches.
Does ServerNest help keep my server safe?
Yes. From the dashboard you can turn on a firewall, fail2ban to block repeated failed logins, ClamAV malware scans, automatic security updates and safer SSH login settings. You can also connect Wazuh to watch your websites for attacks. These checks are kept light, so they don't slow your sites down. After launch, ClamAV is planned from the Pro plan and Wazuh for the Unlimited plan. Read the guide.
Will I know when something goes wrong?
Yes. ServerNest tells you when a server stops reporting, a disk is almost full, a backup fails or malware is found. It also opens each site from outside, like a visitor, and warns you when it is down or its HTTPS certificate is about to run out. Alerts come by email and in the dashboard, and can also go to Slack, Discord, Telegram or your own webhook. You can change the alert limits, and each person picks which alerts they get. Read the guide.
Sites and apps
Which apps will work?
WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Laravel and Symfony, each installed with one click, plus any PHP app and static sites. Magento and other shops are planned. See what's coming next.
Can each site use a different PHP version?
Yes. You choose a PHP version per site, from PHP 8.2 to 8.5. Older PHP 7 versions are there for old sites, but they no longer get security fixes.
Will I get free HTTPS?
Yes. Free certificates from Let's Encrypt, and they renew by themselves.
Can I deploy from GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket?
Yes. Connect a GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket repository, even your own GitLab server. Deploy with a click or on every push. ServerNest can check a page on the new release and keep the old one if it fails, and you can go back to the last release in one click. Read the guide.
Is it safe to update WordPress or Composer packages from the dashboard?
Before an update, ServerNest saves a restore point of the site's code and databases. Afterwards it checks that the home page still loads. If the update broke the site, you can undo it in one click, or let ServerNest undo it by itself. Deploys from Git get the same check.
Can I test changes on a copy of my site?
Yes. Make a staging copy with its own address and database on the same server. Search engines are asked not to list it, and WordPress emails are blocked there. When you're happy, push the files, the database or both to the live site. A restore point is made first, so you can undo the push.
Can I move a site to another server?
Yes. ServerNest copies the app's files and database to another of your servers and lets you test the copy before you switch. After launch, this is planned from the Pro plan.
Can I use my own database, cache and background jobs?
Yes. MariaDB, MySQL or PostgreSQL on your server, or a connection to a database somewhere else. Redis or Memcached, scheduled jobs and background workers for each app.
Can ServerNest monitor AI or GPU servers?
It's planned and being built now, but not in the preview yet. You'll see each graphics card's use, video memory, heat, power and the programs using it, plus network and disk speed. See what's planned.
How will my team get access?
Invite people with a role: owner, admin, developer, operator or viewer. So someone can deploy without being able to remove a server. Everyone can turn on two-step login with an authenticator app.
Backups and updates
Where will my backups be stored?
In storage you choose, such as any service that works like Amazon S3. Backups are encrypted before they leave your server.
Can I restore one site without touching the others?
Yes. You pick one app and choose its files, its database or both. Once a month, ServerNest also tests the newest backup in a private folder, without touching your live sites.
Will my server get security updates?
Yes, if you turn on automatic updates. You choose whether the server may restart by itself when an update needs it.
Cost and leaving
Do I pay ServerNest for my servers?
No. You keep paying your server provider directly. See pricing for what ServerNest itself will cost.
Will there be a free plan?
Yes. The planned Free plan covers one server and up to three sites. Paid plans add more servers, team members and features such as backups and malware checks. Compare the plans.
What if I need more than my plan allows?
When paid plans start, you can move to a bigger plan at any time. Moving to a smaller plan never deletes anything: your servers and sites keep running, you just can't add more until you're within the new limits.
Can I stop using ServerNest?
Yes, at any time. You can uninstall the agent and manage the server yourself.
What happens to my websites if I leave?
They keep running. Your web server, PHP, databases and files all live on your own server.
I still have a question.
Send us a message and we'll answer it.