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Getting started

Create a cloud server

Launch a cloud server (instance) in about a minute. Pick a size, an operating system and a location, add your SSH key and choose hourly or monthly billing.

A cloud server (an instance) is a virtual machine with its own public IP address. You get full root access and pay by the hour, or a fixed price per month.

Before you start: your account setup must be complete, including a payment method (Create your account). To log in with a key, add one first (Connect to your server) or add it during step 4.

Create the server

Go to Compute › Instances and select Create instance (or Create › Instance on the dashboard). The page has five steps, with a live summary on the right.

The Create an instance page with the size, operating system, location, access and details steps and the summaryThe Create an instance page with the size, operating system, location, access and details steps and the summary

1. Size

Choose how much CPU, memory and disk the server gets. The most common sizes show first; Show all plans lists every size.

Step 1, Size: plan cards with vCPU, memory, disk and price, and the hourly or monthly billing choiceStep 1, Size: plan cards with vCPU, memory, disk and price, and the hourly or monthly billing choice

Then choose how you pay:

  • Hourly: pay for every hour the server exists. Delete it any time and billing stops.
  • Monthly: a fixed monthly price, charged when the server is ready and renewed each month. Cheaper if the server runs all month.

2. Operating system

Pick the operating system and version, for example Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Step 2, Operating system: a dropdown showing Ubuntu 22.04 LTSStep 2, Operating system: a dropdown showing Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

3. Location

Pick the region the server runs in. Choose the one closest to your users. Prices are the same everywhere. See Regions and data locations.

Step 3, Location: region cards for Sofia, Nuremberg, London, Los Angeles, Dallas and UtahStep 3, Location: region cards for Sofia, Nuremberg, London, Los Angeles, Dallas and Utah

4. Access

Choose how you log in as root:

  • SSH key (recommended): tick the keys to install. They're added to root's authorized_keys when the server is built.
  • Root password: we generate a strong password and email it to you.
Step 4, Access: SSH key selected, with the saved key Alex laptop tickedStep 4, Access: SSH key selected, with the saved key Alex laptop ticked

5. Details

  • Name: also used as the server's hostname. A random name is suggested; the button next to the field generates another.
  • Project (optional): groups costs on your invoices. New project creates one.
Step 5, Details: the name field and the project dropdownStep 5, Details: the name field and the project dropdown

Review and create

The Summary shows your choices and the estimated price per hour or per month. Select Create instance.

The summary panel with size, system, location, access, project, the estimated price and the Create instance buttonThe summary panel with size, system, location, access, project, the estimated price and the Create instance button

View as code shows the same request as an API call, so you can script it later.

Check that it worked

The server opens with status Creating and changes to Running in about a minute. Its page shows the IP address and the exact SSH command under Connect. The new server also appears in Compute › Instances.

The Instances list with three running serversThe Instances list with three running servers

If something goes wrong

  • "Add a payment method to start deploying." Finish your account setup: add a card in Billing (Owners and Admins).
  • A region is greyed out or marked On request. It needs approval first. See Request a restricted region.
  • The server shows Failed. Delete it and try again, or contact us from Help & Support with the server's name.

Regions and data locations

See where your organization can deploy, how restricted regions work, and how to request access to a region that opens on request.

Connect to your server

Add an SSH key to Infraista, log in to your server as root over SSH, use the browser console when SSH isn't available, and reset the root password.

On this page

Create the server1. Size2. Operating system3. Location4. Access5. DetailsReview and createCheck that it workedIf something goes wrongRelated