> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sundevs.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VPS Setup

> Run SunGuard on a VPS without Pterodactyl.

## Prerequisites

* Java 21 or newer installed
* A valid SunGuard license key. See [Get your license key](/license-key).

## Step 1: Upload required files

Transfer the following files to your VPS:

* `server.jar` (SunGuard server file)
* `license.txt` (contains your license key)

You can use `scp` or an FTP client like FileZilla. Example using `scp`:

```bash theme={null}
scp server.jar license.txt user@your-vps-ip:/home/user/
```

## Step 2: Start the SunGuard server

Navigate to the directory containing `server.jar` and `license.txt`, then run:

```bash theme={null}
SERVER_PORT=25595 java -Dterminal.jline=false -Dterminal.ansi=true -jar server.jar
```

Replace `25595` with your desired port, and make sure the port is open in your firewall.

If Java 21+ is not installed, you can install it with:

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk -y
```

## Step 3: Verify local access

Check that the server is running correctly:

```bash theme={null}
curl http://localhost:25595
```

## Step 4: Expose to the internet with Nginx (optional)

Install Nginx:

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt install nginx -y
```

Create a new config file:

```bash theme={null}
sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/sunguard
```

Paste the following:

```nginx theme={null}
server {
    listen 80;
    server_name yourdomain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:25595;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
    }
}
```

Enable the site and restart Nginx:

```bash theme={null}
sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/sunguard /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo systemctl restart nginx
```

SunGuard is now available at `http://yourdomain.com`.

## Step 5: Run on port 80 directly (alternative)

If you're not using Nginx:

```bash theme={null}
SERVER_PORT=80 java -Dterminal.jline=false -Dterminal.ansi=true -jar server.jar
```

<Note>
  Port 80 must be free and not used by other services like Nginx or Apache.
</Note>

## Step 6: Configure the firewall (if needed)

```bash theme={null}
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 25595/tcp
sudo ufw reload
```

## Step 7: Keep SunGuard running after you disconnect

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="screen">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install screen -y
    screen -S sunguard
    SERVER_PORT=25595 java -Dterminal.jline=false -Dterminal.ansi=true -jar server.jar
    ```

    Detach with `CTRL + A`, then `D`. Resume with:

    ```bash theme={null}
    screen -r sunguard
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="tmux">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install tmux -y
    tmux new -s sunguard
    SERVER_PORT=25595 java -Dterminal.jline=false -Dterminal.ansi=true -jar server.jar
    ```

    Detach with `CTRL + B`, then `D`. Resume with:

    ```bash theme={null}
    tmux attach -t sunguard
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

🎉 SunGuard is now running on your VPS. You can manage it manually or configure a `systemd` service for auto-start. If you'd rather not manage a server, consider [SunGuard Managed Hosting](https://store.sundevs.net/l/sunguard-mh).


## Related topics

- [VPS Setup](/sunlicense/getting-started/vps-setup.md)
- [SunGuard](/sunguard/overview.md)
- [Support](/support.md)
- [Pterodactyl Setup](/sunguard/setup/pterodactyl.md)
- [Quickstart](/sunlicense/getting-started/quickstart.md)