Is Contabo suitable for production workloads?

That depends on the workload, product, availability target, and recovery design. Before takeover, we assess the resource model, measured behavior, and failure domains. Software optimization can reduce bottlenecks but cannot compensate for an unsuitable infrastructure class.

What is the difference between VPS and VDS?

VPS and VDS use different resource models. We assess CPU, memory, storage, and I/O requirements against the workload. For databases or time-critical services, measured and required performance matters more than the product name alone.

My Contabo server is intermittently slow. Can you identify the cause?

Yes. We correlate CPU, steal time, I/O wait, storage latency, networking, and application metrics. We then optimize the guest or application, escalate to Contabo with measurements, or plan a controlled product or provider change.

Can a Storage VPS be used as a backup target?

Yes, where capacity, encryption, access protection, failure domain, and recovery time fit. A large disk alone is not a reliable backup design; retention, integrity checks, and recovery tests are defined separately.

Can you integrate Contabo Object Storage?

Yes. Contabo describes the service as largely, but not fully, S3 compatible. We therefore verify required API features and tools. Versioning, lifecycle rules, encryption, and recovery procedures are configured for the use case.

How does Private Networking work at Contabo?

The paid add-on connects suitable Cloud VPS and Cloud VDS in the same location. Adding a server may require a restart or reinstallation. A firewall is not included; we plan local filtering and access separately.

Do you support Custom Images?

Yes, for suitable VPS/VDS with the Custom Images add-on enabled. We assess format, Cloud-Init, drivers, access, and upgrade path and document reinstallation.

Are Contabo snapshots sufficient as backups?

No. Contabo explicitly states that snapshots are not backups; they capture a system state for rollbacks, are plan-limited, cannot be downloaded, and are deleted after 30 days. We add a separate backup with defined retention and recovery tests.

How do you secure administrative access?

We use separate technical users and SSH keys, limit privileges, and configure the local firewall and access paths for the system. Root passwords are not used as the regular shared access method.

Does Contabo provide DDoS protection?

Contabo enables DDoS protection by default but notes that no protection can repel every attack. We add DNS, CDN, WAF, or application controls only where they fit the service and threat model.

Do you manage Plesk or cPanel on Contabo?

Selected Linux-based panel environments can be included after an audit. Version, licensing, mail operations, extensions, and upgrade path are assessed first.

Do you manage Docker on Contabo VPS or VDS?

Yes. Docker Engine, Compose stacks, registry access, health checks, updates, and restart behavior can be included in the documented operating scope.

Do you manage Windows Server at Contabo?

Our regular operations focus on Linux. We do not take over Windows-only servers; in hybrid environments, the Linux portion and its integration can be managed separately.

How does WZ-IT differ from Contabo's Managed Server add-on?

Contabo describes the add-on as two technician hours per month for one server. WZ-IT instead agrees an ongoing operating scope with monitoring, maintenance, backup management, and optional incident response. The right model depends on the actual requirement.

Can the servers remain in our Contabo account?

Yes. Contracts, infrastructure, and invoices remain with the customer. WZ-IT receives separate technical SSH access; required control-panel actions are coordinated with the customer where no suitable delegated permission exists.

What does management cost?

Monitoring-only starts at €49.90 net per server and month; our team reviews alerts and notifies your team during service hours. Management of an existing Linux server starts at €149.90 net per month. Scope and incident response depend on the audit and service level; progressive volume pricing applies to further servers.

What contract term and notice period apply?

The service can be cancelled monthly, with 30 days' notice to the end of the month.

How quickly does WZ-IT respond to outages?

Response time follows the selected service level. Production and Critical include 24/7 response to qualified P1 incidents; other priorities and levels follow their service windows. Provider response and repair times remain separate.

Can you migrate existing systems to Contabo?

Yes. We inventory applications, data, email, DNS, networking, and recovery objectives, assess the selected Contabo product, and plan test migration, cutover, and rollback.

How is billing handled?

The customer pays Contabo directly for infrastructure. WZ-IT invoices the agreed operating scope separately. This keeps the provider contract and operating service separate and the systems in the customer's account.

Managed Contabo servers: system administration and operations

We take over the agreed operations for suitable Contabo VPS, VDS, and dedicated servers. Monitoring runs around the clock; human response follows the selected service level. Your systems remain in your Contabo account.

VPS, VDS & Dedicated
Systems remain in your account
Service levels up to 24/7 for P1

Configure Contabo operations To server audit

Reviews

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Companies worldwide trust WZ-IT

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Contabo

Operating Contabo infrastructure for production workloads

Contabo offers cost-oriented cloud and server products. For production workloads, we therefore pay particular attention to resource utilization, disk I/O, backup design, and recoverability. The operating scope is aligned with the selected platform and application requirements.

VPS vs. VDS Consulting
We assess the resource model, load profile, I/O, and recovery objectives and map the workload to a suitable VPS, VDS, or dedicated product.
Object Storage Integration
We verify the required S3 capabilities and integrate Object Storage for suitable backup, archive, or application data.
Performance Monitoring
We monitor CPU, steal time, I/O wait, storage, and application latency and distinguish guest, application, and platform causes.

Responsibility

What Contabo does not cover - and we do

Contabo provides self-managed servers and a limited support add-on. WZ-IT instead takes over an ongoing, agreed operating scope.

Contabo

Your responsibility at Contabo

Contabo does not provide fully managed servers but offers an optional Managed Server add-on.
The add-on includes two technician hours per month for one server; additional effort is quoted separately.
Monitoring installed services and responding to alerts must be organized separately for self-managed systems.
Snapshots do not replace backups; a separate backup and recovery strategy is required.
Operating system, administrative access, local firewall, and applications require their own operating scope.

WZ-IT

What we take over

Continuously documented operations instead of individual support requests
Patching and updates in coordinated maintenance windows
Security hardening and a documented access model
System and service monitoring; response according to service level
Offsite backup management; restore tests according to the agreed scope
Incident handling including ticket coordination with Contabo

Contabo service areas

Which Contabo products we operate and how we handle their limits

Contabo offers Cloud VPS, Cloud VDS, Storage VPS, Dedicated Servers, and supporting cloud features. We assess product, location, and actual workload behavior before defining ongoing operations or a target architecture.

Compute selection

Use Cloud VPS, Cloud VDS, and Dedicated Servers appropriately

Cloud VPS and Storage VPS for suitable general or storage-oriented workloads
Cloud VDS for workloads requiring more dedicated resources
Dedicated Servers and Server Deals after hardware and lifecycle assessment
Operate Linux hardening, updates, Docker, reverse proxies, databases, and applications
Monitor CPU steal time, I/O wait, latency, and actual resource utilization

Scope boundary and notes

We distinguish shared vCPU resources, more dedicated VDS resources, and bare metal by CPU, I/O, latency, growth, and recovery objectives.

Responsibility boundary: WZ-IT can optimize the guest and application but cannot guarantee platform capacity or provider performance. If the resource model remains unsuitable, we recommend a product or provider change.

Outcome: A traceable product scope with measurable criteria for scaling or migration.

Provisioning & access

Use the Customer Control Panel, API, and images in a controlled way

Organize Customer Control Panel access, technical accounts, and two-factor authentication
Use Contabo API and Contabo CLI for inventory and repeatable procedures
Use Custom Images and cloud-init for suitable VPS and VDS deployments
Document SSH keys, local permissions, and emergency access
Operate Linux systems based on customer images after lifecycle assessment

Scope boundary and notes

We integrate Contabo access and automation into a documented operating process and avoid shared primary credentials.

Responsibility boundary: A Custom Image or cloud-init script remains customer-owned configuration code. Updates, secrets, and compatibility require ongoing maintenance.

Outcome: Repeatable server provisioning with controlled administrative access.

Private Networking

Design Private Networking and host protection together

Private Networking for compatible Cloud VPS and Cloud VDS in the same location
Document IP plans, internal services, and database access
Implement local Linux firewalls and application-specific exposure
VPN or overlay networks for sites, users, and cross-provider connections
Include DDoS Protection in risk assessment without implying complete protection

Scope boundary and notes

Contabo Private Networking connects suitable Cloud VPS and VDS in the same location but does not include a firewall. We add segmentation, local filtering, and secure administration paths.

Responsibility boundary: Private Networking is not a managed security segment and includes no firewall. Location, product, and reinstall constraints are checked before changes.

Outcome: A private data path with explicit firewall and access rules.

Storage & backup

Do not confuse snapshots and Object Storage with complete backup

Cloud VPS snapshots for maintenance and short-term rollback points
Contabo Object Storage for suitable backup, archive, or application data
Test S3 compatibility of required tools and functions before use
Add encrypted offsite backups with defined retention
Document restore tests, RPO, RTO, and restart sequence

Scope boundary and notes

We separate short-term snapshot rollback from independent data protection and test required S3 features before an Object Storage integration.

Responsibility boundary: Contabo explicitly does not describe snapshots as backups; they are product- and time-limited. Object Storage is not fully AWS S3 compatible in every feature.

Outcome: A tested recovery path instead of dependence on individual snapshots.

Takeover & incident handling

Assess and reliably operate existing Contabo systems

Server assessment covering access, updates, services, performance, and recovery
24/7 monitoring with qualified alert rules and service-level response
Technical isolation and coordinated Contabo support tickets
Onboarding of maintenance windows, backup, documentation, and runbooks
Migration between Contabo products or to other infrastructure where needed

Scope boundary and notes

We take over suitable systems without an unnecessary migration while documenting early which platform risks or product limits may require a change.

Responsibility boundary: WZ-IT response times apply to our scope. Contabo response, repair, and platform performance remain separate provider services.

Outcome: An orderly operating start with clear escalation and migration criteria.

One operating model

One operating model for Contabo and additional systems

The provider is only one operating location. WZ-IT connects servers, clouds, and on-premises systems into a documented environment with consistent monitoring, controlled access, and one coordinated service level.

View hybrid and multi-cloud operations

Location and control

Contracts, accounts, and administrative control remain with you. We take over the agreed technical operations without moving the infrastructure into a closed hosting product.

Private connectivity

NetBird, WireGuard, or existing site connections integrate further clouds, Proxmox systems, and on-premises networks through controlled paths.

Operations and response

Monitoring, updates, backups, documentation, and incident response are designed across all participating systems and operated according to the selected service level.

Monitoring · SLA · Operations

Contabo
Private connectivity
Cloud · Proxmox · On-premises

Suitability

Operations on cost-oriented infrastructure

We complement the selected infrastructure with monitoring, backup management, maintenance, and documented operating processes.

Product capabilities

Place product capabilities in the operating model

Assess Cloud VPS, Cloud VDS, and dedicated servers separately
Use Storage VPS only after suitability and recovery assessment
Integrate S3-compatible Object Storage with documented API limits
Private Networking for suitable VPS/VDS in the same location
Plan Custom Images as an add-on with Cloud-Init and an upgrade path

View server management and pricing

Principle

Assess suitability before operations

Monitoring and administration cannot turn an unsuitable product into a different infrastructure class.

How we take over existing Contabo systems

The audit first establishes current state, suitability, responsibilities, and required action.

01
Audit
We inventory systems, access, utilization, updates, and recovery.
02
Hardening
We implement agreed safeguards and technical access.
03
Onboarding
We configure monitoring, alert paths, maintenance windows, and documentation.
04
Operations
We perform the documented operating duties according to the service level.

Service scope

Monitoring or full operations

With Monitoring Only, our team reviews alerts and notifies your team during service hours; incident resolution stays with you. Your servers remain in your provider account. The first managed Linux server starts at €149.90; progressive volume pricing applies from the second server.

Server operationsfrom €149.90Monitoring Only from €49.90

Configure server operations Pricing and service levels

Onboarding typically starts within 1 to 2 business days after signing

Payment

Bank transfer

Other routes

Conversation

Managed operations for Contabo infrastructure

We assess your existing environment and clearly define which systems and operating duties WZ-IT can take over.

Discuss Contabo operations →Entry

Server audit

The audit first establishes current state, responsibilities, and required action.

To server audit →

Frequently asked questions about Contabo server management

Answers about VPS, VDS, Object Storage, performance, and service levels

TopicsServer Types & Performance Object Storage & Networking Security & Backup Software & Operations Process & Service Level

Server Types & Performance

Object Storage & Networking

Security & Backup

Software & Operations

Process & Service Level

Knowledge

Further guides

In-depth knowledge from our knowledge base.

Guides

Further entry points

Reviews & projects

Operations that visibly relieve customers

Customer feedback on monitoring, updates, maintenance, support and stable production systems.

Networking & Provisioning

WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.

Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH

View project

International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.

Selected projects

Read client reviews

Enquiry

What can we take over for you?

Tell us briefly what it is about - we will get back to you within one business day.

Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
A professional assessment of your situation
Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI

The conversation is free and non-binding.

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

Email[email protected]Phone+49 2922 875068

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

Managed Contabo servers: system administration and operations

VPS vs. VDS Consulting

Object Storage Integration

Performance Monitoring

Your responsibility at Contabo

What we take over

Use Cloud VPS, Cloud VDS, and Dedicated Servers appropriately

Use the Customer Control Panel, API, and images in a controlled way

Design Private Networking and host protection together

Do not confuse snapshots and Object Storage with complete backup

Assess and reliably operate existing Contabo systems

Location and control

Private connectivity

Operations and response

Monitoring · SLA · Operations

Place product capabilities in the operating model

Assess suitability before operations

Audit

Hardening

Onboarding

Operations

Managed operations for Contabo infrastructure

Server audit

Server Types & Performance

Is Contabo suitable for production workloads?+

What is the difference between VPS and VDS?+

My Contabo server is intermittently slow. Can you identify the cause?+

Can a Storage VPS be used as a backup target?+

Object Storage & Networking

Can you integrate Contabo Object Storage?+

How does Private Networking work at Contabo?+

Do you support Custom Images?+

Security & Backup

Are Contabo snapshots sufficient as backups?+

How do you secure administrative access?+

Does Contabo provide DDoS protection?+

Software & Operations

Do you manage Plesk or cPanel on Contabo?+

Do you manage Docker on Contabo VPS or VDS?+

Do you manage Windows Server at Contabo?+

Process & Service Level

How does WZ-IT differ from Contabo's Managed Server add-on?+

Can the servers remain in our Contabo account?+

What does management cost?+

What contract term and notice period apply?+

How quickly does WZ-IT respond to outages?+

Can you migrate existing systems to Contabo?+

How is billing handled?+

Guides

Further entry points

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

Selected projects

Read client reviews

What should we take over at Contabo?