Is my VPS a virtual machine or a system container?
A virtual machine has its own guest kernel, while a system container shares the host kernel through operating-system isolation. Both can provide a server environment, but kernel control, device access and some networking capabilities differ.
Instructions
1. Check the service description
Confirm the virtualisation type in the selected plan or ask support for the platform specification. A marketing label alone does not establish whether you control an independent guest kernel.
2. Inspect a compatible Linux guest
Use systemd’s read-only detection tool when present.
systemd-detect-virt
systemd-detect-virt --vm
systemd-detect-virt --containerThe general command identifies a detected technology. Each filtered check returns a nonzero status when that type is not detected; this is not automatically a server fault.
3. Match the platform to your workload
If the application requires its own kernel, special modules or nested virtual machines, confirm those capabilities explicitly. For a standard web service, container isolation may be sufficient, but resource, security and support terms still need to match the deployment.
Check the result
- The provider’s platform description and guest observations are consistent.
- Required kernel, device and network capabilities are explicitly confirmed.
Troubleshooting
- No virtualisation is detected
- Detection can be limited by the guest environment; obtain the authoritative platform specification.
- A command needs a host capability
- A guest administrator cannot grant a capability withheld by the underlying platform. Ask about a compatible service.
Official references
Use the documentation for your installed version when a flag, service name or platform feature differs.