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  3. Buy a server from BandwagonHost

Buy a server from BandwagonHost

20–30 minutesFor: People buying a serverMain guide step 1: Buy a server

BandwagonHost has two layers: the client area (ordering, paying, renewing) and the KiwiVM control panel (managing the server). Button names below follow the English interface and may change after redesigns.

1. Order

  1. Open the BandwagonHost order link (the author’s referral link — see below).
  2. Confirm the plan (the one in the link has 1 TB of traffic a month) and Billing Cycle, and choose a Los Angeles option under Location.
  3. Add to cart, create an account at checkout (Gmail recommended) and pay — Alipay (支付宝) is one of the options.
BandwagonHost order page with billing cycle and location
Order page: the red boxes are Billing Cycle and Location. Prices as on the official site. Screenshot 2026-10; the interface may have changed since.

About the link

This is the author’s referral link. If you buy through it, the author may earn a commission, which goes to charitable work. Prices, stock and locations are as shown on the official site.

2. Open the KiwiVM control panel

  1. Log in to the BandwagonHost client area and go to Services → My Services; your new server is listed.
  2. Open it and find the entry to the KiwiVM Control Panel.

3. Find the three things to write down

  • IP address and SSH port: shown on the KiwiVM home page (Main controls). BandwagonHost’s SSH port isn’t always 22 — go by the page.
  • root password: in the server-ready email; if you can’t find it, generate a new one in KiwiVM with “Root password modification” (shown once — copy it immediately).

4. Check the OS

The Operating system line on the KiwiVM home page shows the current OS. BandwagonHost servers come with a default OS, so you’ll usually reinstall once: click Stop on the home page, then Install new OS in the left menu, pick Ubuntu 24.04, tick the agreement and click Reload. A few minutes later, copy the new root password and SSH port the page shows. Step-by-step details are in Reinstall the OS as Ubuntu.

You should see

KiwiVM shows the server Running; you’ve written down the IP, SSH port and root password; the OS is Ubuntu 24.04.

Heads up

BandwagonHost servers may come with their own firewall or other settings. Ignore them — step 3’s scripts reconfigure everything according to the setup.

This setup is for you and your family only. Follow local laws and each site's and AI tool's terms of use. Open source (MIT) — code and feedback on GitHub.