Arch Linux VPS

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 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 as a server computer (i.e. to run server software).

VPS (Virtual Private Server) service providers that offer Arch Linux

Clodo.ru

URL: http://www.clodo.ru/ [1]

Currently Using Release 2011.03 (??)

Note: This provider lists "Arch Linux 2011.03" as an installation option, but Arch Linux never had a release in 2011-03. It is unknown what release is actually used.

FanaticalVPS

URL: http://fanaticalvps.com/ [2]

Currently Using Release: 2010.05 x86_64 and i686

GigaTux

URL: http://www.gigatux.com/virtual.php [3]

Currently Using Release: 2010.05 x86_64

Linode.com

URL: http://www.linode.com [4]

Currently Using Release: 2011.08
Uses a custom kernel. Do not install the linux package on your Linode Arch Linux VPS.

OpenVZ.ca

URL: http://openvz.ca/ [5]

Currently Using Release 2010.05 x86_64 and i686 Hosted in Canada

RamHost.us

URL: http://www.ramhost.us[6]

Currently Using Release: 2009.10.31

SliceHost.com

URL: http://www.slicehost.com [7]

Currently Using Release: 2010.05

Tilaa

URL: http://www.tilaa.nl/ [8]

Currently Using Release 2011.08 x86_64 and i686 (2010.05 also available)

XenVZ

URL: http://www.xenvz.co.uk/ [9]

Currently Using Release 2009.12.07 x86_64

Virpus

URL: http://www.virpus.com/ [10]

Currently Using Release 2010.05.16 x86_64

Troubleshooting

Old kernel and a broken system with OpenVZ

NO LONGER WORKS !!! Are you on a virtual private server (VPS) with an old kernel & broke your system? Are you using OpenVZ?

Arch Template Used: http://dev.archlinux.org/~ibiru/openvz/2010.05/arch-2010.05-i686-minimal.tar.gz

Try doing the following to fix it:

1) Edit /etc/pacman.conf and add the following repository ABOVE [core]:

for 32-bit:

[glibc-vps]
Server = http://dev.archlinux.org/~ibiru/openvz/glibc-vps/i686

for 64-bit:

[glibc-vps]
Server = http://dev.archlinux.org/~ibiru/openvz/glibc-vps/x86_64

2) Then run pacman -Syy followed by pacman -Syu. You will be notified to upgrade pacman first.

3) Upgrade the pacman database by running pacman-db-upgrade as root.

4) Edit /etc/pacman.conf.pacnew (new pacman config file) and add the following repository ABOVE [core]:

[glibc-vps]
Server = http://dev.archlinux.org/~ibiru/openvz/glibc-vps/$arch

5) Replace /etc/pacman.conf with /etc/pacman.conf.pacnew (run as root):

mv /etc/pacman.conf.pacnew /etc/pacman.conf

6) Upgrade your whole system with new packages again pacman -Syu

If you get the following or similar error:

initscripts: /etc/profile.d/locale.sh exists in filesystem

Simply delete that file (e.g., rm -f /etc/profile.d/locale.sh), then run pacman -Syu again. You may also try pacman -Sfyu.

7) Before rebooting, you need to install the makedev package by running pacman -S makedev.

8) Add MAKEDEV to /etc/rc.local:

/usr/sbin/MAKEDEV tty
/usr/sbin/MAKEDEV pty

9) Edit /etc/inittab, comment out the following lines (otherwise you will see errors in /var/log/errors.log):

#c1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty1 linux
#c2:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty2 linux
#c3:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty3 linux
#c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty4 linux
#c5:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty5 linux
#c6:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -8 -s 38400 tty6 linux

10) To enable the use of the hostname command, install the package inetutils from the official repositories.

11) Save and reboot.

Enjoy & thank ioni if you happen to be in #archlinux