How to Install the OS on the NVMe Drive in SolusVM Print

If your VPS includes both a large HDD (e.g. 1TB) and a fast NVMe disk (e.g. 20GB), you can install your operating system (OS) on the NVMe for much better speed and performance.
This guide explains how to do it using the SolusVM client panel, even when the panel doesn’t allow you to change boot order.

Before You Begin

• This process will erase everything on the NVMe drive.

• You cannot change the boot device in SolusVM — the bootloader (GRUB) will be installed on the NVMe manually.

• Back up any important data from your VPS before starting.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your SolusVM client panel.

• Access to Rescue Mode or a Linux Installer ISO (e.g. Debian, Ubuntu).

• Ability to use the VNC console.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Boot into Rescue Mode

1. Log in to your SolusVM control panel.

2. Go to your VPS → click Settings (or Boot Options).

3. Change the boot mode to Rescue Mode or attach an installer ISO (such as Debian, Ubuntu, or SystemRescue).

4. Start your VPS and open the VNC Console.

Step 2: Identify Your Drives

In the VNC console (rescue shell), run:

You’ll see something like:

The NVMe disk (/dev/SOLUS_VMS/1300_2) is where the OS will be installed.

Step 3: Install the OS on the NVMe

If you are using a graphical installer ISO:

• When you reach the Disk Partitioning screen, select Manual Partitioning.

• Choose /dev/SOLUS_VMS/1300_2 (20GB NVMe) as the target disk.

• Proceed with the installation.

• When asked where to install the bootloader (GRUB), select the same NVMe drive.

If you’re using a command-line rescue environment, run:

Step 4: Make the NVMe Bootable

SolusVM won’t let you change boot priority — but GRUB can handle that automatically.

1. After installing the OS, open the VNC console again (if not already).

2. Confirm the GRUB bootloader was installed to the NVMe:

    

   grub-install /dev/SOLUS_VMS/1300_2 update-grub

3. Reboot your VPS:

    

   reboot

4. Once it starts, you should now boot directly from the NVMe drive.

Step 5: Mount the HDD for Storage (Optional)

After confirming the VPS boots from the NVMe, you can format and mount the 1TB HDD as storage:

Now your large HDD is available at /mnt/storage for backups or large files.

Verify the Setup

Run:

You should see:

This confirms your VPS is running from the NVMe.

Tips

• NVMe is ideal for the OS, web servers, and databases that benefit from speed.

• Use the HDD for backups, file storage, or media content.

• If you ever reinstall your OS again, repeat these steps to ensure it stays on the NVMe.