How to Use BandwagonHost VPS After Purchase in 2026: KiwiVM Connection Tutorial, Software Installation and Beginner's Guide

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Many users discover that buying a BandwagonHost VPS is only the first step. The real challenge begins when they actually start using it.

For users who are new to VPS, the most common problems are usually focused on three areas:

1. Not knowing how to connect to the VPS after purchase
2. Not knowing what to do after logging into the server
3. Not knowing how to install software because of the large number of commands required

In the past, users had to search for tutorials, copy commands, and repeatedly test different solutions on their own.

Now, BandwagonHost‘s KiwiVM control panel includes the Assistant Amy AI assistant. Users can communicate directly in Chinese, allowing the AI to help check server status, troubleshoot issues, and perform common operations.

This article follows the actual workflow of the “first day after purchasing a BandwagonHost VPS” and explains how to initialize the VPS, connect to the server, and deploy commonly used software from scratch.

BandwagonHost Official Website:
https://bandwagonhost.com/

1. First Step After Buying a BandwagonHost VPS: Enter the KiwiVM Control Panel

After purchasing a BandwagonHost VPS, you do not manage the server directly from the main website account dashboard. Instead, you need to enter the dedicated KiwiVM control panel.

KiwiVM is the VPS management panel provided by BandwagonHost. Important server information and most basic operations are completed here.

It includes:

• Viewing the VPS IP address
• Viewing the SSH port
• Checking login information
• Reinstalling the operating system
• Managing server status
• Using the Assistant Amy AI assistant

1. How to Access the KiwiVM Panel?

Log in to your BandwagonHost account.

Go to:

Services
→ My Services
→ Find your VPS plan
→ Click Manage

After entering, you will see the KiwiVM control panel.

The homepage usually displays:

You will need this information later when connecting to the server.

2. Does a Newly Purchased VPS Need an Operating System Installation?

If you purchased a new VPS that does not have an operating system deployed yet, you need to install one first.

Enter KiwiVM:

Install new OS

Select the operating system you want to install.

For beginners, the following systems are recommended:

Note:

Reinstalling the operating system will erase all existing data on the VPS.

If it is a newly purchased server, you can install it directly.

3. How to Open Assistant Amy?

After entering KiwiVM:

Find the following option in the left menu:

Assistant Amy

Click:

Launch

to open the AI assistant page.

Amy supports Chinese conversations. You can ask questions naturally, for example:

Where can I find my VPS IP address?

Help me check why my SSH connection cannot connect.

Help me install Docker.

For new VPS users, Amy can be considered an intelligent server management assistant that can view server status and help perform operations.

2. How to Connect to a BandwagonHost VPS? Complete SSH Login Tutorial

Connecting to a VPS essentially means logging into the server through SSH.

After logging in through SSH, you can:

• Install software
• Modify configurations
• Deploy websites
• Run applications
• Manage the server

The connection process mainly includes three steps:

1. Obtain SSH information
2. Use an SSH client to connect
3. Complete the first login

1. What Information Is Required to Connect to BandwagonHost?

SSH login requires the following information:

If you forget where to find this information, you can directly ask Amy:

Where can I find my SSH connection information? What are my IP address, port, and password?

2. How to Connect to a BandwagonHost VPS on Windows?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 already include built-in SSH functionality.

Open:

• PowerShell
• Command Prompt (CMD)

Enter:

ssh root@your_IP -p your_SSH_port

Example:

Server IP:

1.2.3.4

SSH port:

22

Then use:

ssh [email protected] -p 22

Enter the password to log in.

You Can Also Use Third-Party SSH Tools

If you are not comfortable with the command line, you can use:

• Xshell
• Termius
• MobaXterm

Fill in the following information:

Then you can connect.

3. How to Connect to BandwagonHost on Mac/Linux?

Mac and Linux systems include a built-in terminal.

Open Terminal:

Enter:

ssh root@your_IP -p your_SSH_port

Example:

ssh [email protected] -p 22

You can then connect.

4. Important Notes for the First SSH Login

When connecting to the server for the first time, you may see:

Are you sure you want to continue connecting?

This message asks whether you trust the server fingerprint.

Enter:

yes

and press Enter.

Then enter your password.

Important:

When entering a password through SSH:

• No characters will appear on the screen
• No asterisks (****) will be displayed
• The cursor will not move

This is a normal Linux security mechanism.

Simply type the password and press Enter.

If you see:

root@hostname:~#

it means you have successfully logged in.

3. Cannot Connect to BandwagonHost VPS via SSH? Let Assistant Amy Help Troubleshoot

For VPS beginners, SSH login failure is one of the most common problems.

Many users see errors such as:

• Connection timed out
• Permission denied
• Connection refused

and do not know what to do next.

Actually, Assistant Amy in the BandwagonHost KiwiVM control panel can help troubleshoot these issues because it exists inside the management panel and does not rely on your SSH connection.

In other words:

Even if you cannot connect to the server through SSH at all, you can still open KiwiVM and ask Amy for help.

Common SSH Connection Problems and Solutions

For example, you can directly tell Amy:

My VPS SSH connection is not working. Please help me find the reason.

She can help locate the issue based on the server status.

What Other Access Methods Are Available in KiwiVM?

If SSH is completely unavailable, there is no need to worry.

The BandwagonHost KiwiVM control panel usually provides:

• Root Shell
• Web Console

You can directly access the server system through these methods.

Using the console, you can continue to:

• Modify SSH configuration
• Check network settings
• Repair firewall rules
• Reset passwords

Combined with Amy’s troubleshooting assistance, most access issues can be recovered.

4. What Should You Do After Logging Into a BandwagonHost VPS for the First Time?

After successfully connecting to the VPS, it is not recommended to immediately install various applications.

A newly created server should first complete basic initialization.

This includes:

• Updating the system
• Checking server status
• Basic security configuration
• Setting up SSH login methods

These operations can also be completed with the help of Assistant Amy.

1. Update System Packages

A newly installed Linux system is usually not completely up to date.

You can directly tell Amy:

Help me update the system to the latest version.

She will perform the appropriate update process based on the current system environment.

2. Check VPS Configuration and Resource Usage

Not sure about your current VPS status?

You can ask:

What are the CPU, memory, disk space, and traffic limits of this VPS? What is the current resource usage?

This helps you understand:

• Number of CPU cores
• Memory size
• Disk capacity
• Current resource consumption

This makes it easier to install applications later.

3. Perform Basic Security Hardening (Recommended)

A newly purchased VPS is exposed to the public internet by default.

Without proper configuration, you may encounter:

• SSH brute-force attacks
• Unauthorized login attempts
• Automated scanning attacks

It is recommended to ask Amy to perform basic security configuration.

You can send:

This is a new server. Please perform basic security hardening: change the SSH port, configure the firewall, only allow necessary ports, and install Fail2Ban to prevent brute-force attacks.

This usually includes:

• Changing the default SSH port
• Configuring firewall rules
• Restricting accessible ports
• Installing Fail2Ban

4. Configure SSH Key Login (Optional)

Compared with password-based authentication, SSH key authentication is more secure.

You can ask Amy:

Help me configure SSH key login. After confirming it works correctly, disable password authentication.

Important:

Before disabling password login:

Make sure the SSH key login works correctly.

Otherwise, you may lock yourself out of the server.

Recommended steps:

• Keep the current SSH session open
• Open a new window to test SSH key login
• Disable password authentication only after successful testing

5. How to Install Software on BandwagonHost VPS? Just Tell Amy What You Need

For beginners, the biggest challenge with Linux is:

Not knowing the commands.

For example:

Installing Docker requires:

• Configuring software repositories
• Installing dependencies
• Starting services
• Checking versions

Previously, users needed to search through multiple tutorials.

Now, you can simply tell Amy what you want to install.

1. Examples of Common Software Installation Requests

2. Docker Installation Example

Simply send:

Help me install Docker and Docker Compose.

After installation, you can continue:

Help me deploy a WordPress website using Docker.

Or:

Help me deploy Uptime Kuma website monitoring using Docker.

Suitable for:

• Website owners
• Developers
• Cross-border business users

3. Install BT Panel / 1Panel Website Management Panel

If you do not know how to use the command line, you can install a visual server management panel.

For example:

Send:

Help me install BT Panel.

Or:

Help me install 1Panel.

After installation, it will provide:

• Backend access URL
• Username
• Password

After the first login, it is recommended to:

• Change the administrator password
• Change the default port
• Enable security settings

4. What If Software Installation Fails?

Sometimes installation may fail due to:

• Software repository issues
• Different operating system versions
• Network problems

During installation, errors may appear.

You do not need to search for error codes by yourself.

Simply copy the error message and ask:

An error occurred when installing software just now. Please help me analyze the log and find the problem.

Amy can help:

• Check logs
• Determine the cause
• Provide solutions

6. Frequently Asked Questions About BandwagonHost VPS for Beginners

Q1: Do I Have to Connect to My BandwagonHost VPS Through SSH After Purchase?

Not necessarily.

If you only need to check server status or install some software, you can directly use Assistant Amy inside KiwiVM.

However, learning SSH is still very important because:

• More advanced operations require terminal access
• Troubleshooting becomes more flexible
• Linux server management relies heavily on SSH

Q2: The SSH Password Does Not Show Anything When I Type It. Is It Frozen?

No.

Linux SSH does not display password characters by default.

When entering a password:

• No numbers are displayed
• No asterisks appear
• The password length is not shown

This is a normal security design.

Simply finish entering the password and press Enter.

Q3: What Should I Do If My BandwagonHost VPS Cannot Connect Through SSH?

Check the following items in order:

1. Whether the VPS is running normally
2. Whether the IP address is correct
3. Whether the SSH port is correct
4. Whether the root password is correct
5. Whether the firewall is blocking SSH access

You can also open KiwiVM Assistant Amy:

Tell her:

My VPS SSH login failed. Please help me check the reason.

Q4: What Is the First Thing to Do After Buying a New BandwagonHost VPS?

The recommended order is:

1. Log in to KiwiVM
2. Install the operating system
3. Check SSH information
4. Log in to the server
5. Update the system
6. Perform security hardening
7. Install required software

Do not deploy business applications immediately after purchase.

Q5: What Software Is Suitable for Installing on a BandwagonHost VPS?

Common uses include:

7. Things to Keep in Mind When Using Assistant Amy

Although the AI assistant can greatly reduce the difficulty of using a VPS, it cannot completely replace a server administrator.

Pay attention to the following points when using it.

1. Always Confirm Before Performing Delete Operations

AI may determine an execution method based on the current environment.

Operations involving:

• Deleting files
• Reinstalling services
• Modifying configurations

should always be confirmed before execution.

For example:

Do not directly execute:

Delete all website files.

Instead, clearly specify the exact scope.

2. Do Not Share Sensitive Information

This includes:

• Root passwords
• SSH private keys
• API keys

Do not copy and send these sensitive details casually.

3. Back Up Important Data in Advance

The following server data:

• Website files
• Databases
• Configuration files

should be backed up regularly.

Especially before:

• Reinstalling the system
• Modifying disks
• Migrating environments

Always create backups first.

4. The Server Ultimately Remains Under Your Control

Amy can:

• Provide suggestions
• Execute operations
• Analyze problems

However:

• Which VPS plan to purchase
• What services to deploy
• Whether to modify configurations

The final decisions always belong to the user.

8. Recommended BandwagonHost VPS Plans in 2026

If you have not purchased a BandwagonHost VPS yet, or you are planning to upgrade your configuration, you can refer to the popular options below.

For new users who do not know how to choose:

It is recommended to prioritize:

CN2 GIA-E Plans

Reasons:

• Better network quality
• Multiple data centers available
• Good price-to-performance ratio
• Suitable for websites, development, and long-term use

BandwagonHost VPS Pricing Table

9. How to Choose a BandwagonHost VPS?

Beginner Users

Recommended:

KVM Plan

Features:

• Lowest price
• Enough resources for basic usage
• Suitable for learning Linux
• Suitable for lightweight applications

Most Users

Recommended:

CN2 GIA-E Plan

Suitable for:

• Website building
• Application deployment
• Foreign trade businesses
• Long-term usage

It is one of the most balanced choices among BandwagonHost products.

Advanced Users

Recommended:

Hong Kong CN2 GIA

Features:

• Low latency
• Excellent network quality
• Suitable for high-traffic applications

In addition:

Osaka Japan CN2 GIA is also a good high-end option.

Conclusion

For beginners, the real challenge of using a BandwagonHost VPS is not purchasing the server, but knowing how to use it after purchase.

From entering KiwiVM:

• Checking server information
• Connecting through SSH
• Initializing the system
• Performing security hardening
• Installing Docker, BT Panel, and 1Panel

These steps previously required searching through many different tutorials. With the help of Assistant Amy, the learning curve can now be significantly reduced.

However, an AI assistant is only a supporting tool. Understanding the basics of VPS usage is still very important.

After mastering SSH, basic Linux commands, and server management methods, you can build your own application environments more freely, whether you use BandwagonHost or other VPS providers.