SiteHost

Rescue Mode

Rescue Mode will create a new bootable disk from which you can mount your servers disk. This will allow you to access the servers files and fix any issues. Typical issues that may require you to use Rescue Mode include:

  • Resetting the root password.
  • Fixing broken configuration files that are preventing your server from booting normally.
  • Repairing a corrupt filesystem.
  • Fixing firewall rules that may be blocking access.

While your server is in Rescue Mode any services provided by your server will be temporarily unavailable. We recommend you fix any issues and exit out of Rescue Mode as soon as possible to avoid extended downtime of your server. To place a server into Rescue Mode, click the "Rescue Mode" link on the details page for the server.

Accessing your server when in Rescue Mode

Upon enabling Rescue Mode for a server, you will be presented with a temporary root password. Use this password to log into your server via SSH using its existing IP address. For more information on logging in using SSH, please read our article on accessing your servers.

After you log in using SSH, you will be shown the path to your server's disk, along with the commands needed to mount and chroot into your server's disk. Below is an example of the message you will see when logging into your server while in Rescue Mode:

********************************************************************************
* Welcome to the SiteHost Rescue Mode System                                   *
********************************************************************************

The VPS "My Linux VPS" (mylinuxvps) is in Rescue Mode.

To access your filesystem, follow the steps below:

  1. mount /dev/xvda3 /mnt
  2. chroot /mnt /bin/bash

When you have finished, un-mount your filesystem with the steps below:

  1. logout (to exit the chroot environment)
  2. umount /dev/xvda3

After the filesystem has been un-mounted, go to the SiteHost Control Panel
(https://cp.sitehost.co.nz) and disable Rescue Mode.

When logging in via SSH you may receive a warning that the host identification has changed. This is normal and is nothing to be concerned about. This happens because the IP address of your server is now temporarily pointing to a different operating system installation.

Exiting from Rescue Mode

If you are still logged into the server via SSH, make sure you run the following commands:

  • logout (to exit the chroot environment)
  • umount /dev/xvda3 (substituting xvda3 for the device name of your server's disk)
  • logout (to close the SSH session)

After doing this, return to the details page for your server and click the "Rescue Mode" link again to exit from Rescue Mode.