Your VPS operating system

Debian 13 is the system NeoHeberg provides for its VPS. You do not choose between several distributions at creation: the image is fixed, and it determines the packages, commands and documentation you should follow.

A single image: Debian 13

At creation and on reinstall, the VPS is installed with Debian 13. The guides in this help centre therefore assume apt, systemd and Debian paths. If your project depends on another distribution, check availability with support before ordering: do not assume another image will be provided.

What Debian 13 provides

• Stable repositories and regular security updates.
• apt and systemd, with extensive documentation.
• The packages needed for Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker, Node.js and Python.
• A long support cycle, suited to a server you keep for several years.

Package versions are sometimes older than on other distributions. This is a deliberate trade-off: fewer surprises, more stability.

Check the installed version

cat /etc/os-release
uname -r
apt --version

/etc/os-release confirms Debian 13. uname -r shows the platform's shared kernel: it does not change when you update the container packages.

Update and maintain

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo systemctl --failed

Reboot after a kernel or critical service update. Container packages remain your responsibility; the kernel and infrastructure are managed by NeoHeberg.

Reinstall or change version

Reinstalling from the dashboard replaces the disk with a clean Debian 13 image. Back up files, databases and configuration before starting. There is no switch to another distribution from the panel: if you need a template that is not listed, contact support to check what is possible.

Key takeaways

Debian 13 is the only system offered today. Learn its basic commands, keep it updated and back up before any reinstall. For a project that requires another distribution, confirm availability with support before ordering.