How to use the rescue system

A Linux system that boots from the network. Your installed system is not changed, so it is the safe way to repair a server that no longer starts.

Where
Servers → your server → Server controls → Rescue system
Log in as
root with the one-time password or your SSH key
Data
your disks are not changed

  1. Start the rescue system

    Open the server, then Server controls → Rescue system. Optionally tick one of your saved SSH keys (1) so you can log in with it. Leave Restart now into the rescue system (2) ticked unless you want to restart the server yourself later, and press Start rescue system (3). You may be asked to confirm your password first.

    Rescue system options with SSH keys, restart checkbox and Start rescue system button
    The numbers in the picture match the numbers in the text.

  2. Copy the one-time password

    The panel shows a one-time root password (1). Copy it now: it is shown only once. After about a minute, connect with ssh root@your-server-ip.

    Rescue system password box
    The numbers in the picture match the numbers in the text.

  3. Repair the server

    From the rescue system you can, for example:

    • mount your disks: mount /dev/md2 /mnt (software RAID) or mount /dev/nvme0n1p3 /mnt
    • reset the root password: chroot /mnt passwd
    • undo a broken firewall rule or /etc/fstab entry
    • copy data away with rsync or scp

  4. Switch the rescue system off

    Back on the server page, the badge shows rescue armed. Press Switch off rescue with Restart now and boot from the disks again ticked. The server starts your installed system again.

Questions

I lost my root password. What do I do?

Start the rescue system, mount the system disk and run passwd inside a chroot, as described in step 3. Or open a ticket and we will help you.

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