# Create a cloud server
Source: https://docs.infraista.com/en/getting-started/create-a-cloud-server



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](/en/getting-started/create-your-account)). To log in with a key, add one first
([Connect to your server](/en/getting-started/connect-to-your-server)) or add it during step 4.

## Create the server [#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.

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/new-server" alt="The Create an instance page with the size, operating system, location, access and details steps and the summary" />

### 1. Size [#1-size]

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

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-size" alt="Step 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 [#2-operating-system]

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

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-operating-system" alt="Step 2, Operating system: a dropdown showing Ubuntu 22.04 LTS" />

### 3. Location [#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](/en/getting-started/regions-and-data-locations).

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-location" alt="Step 3, Location: region cards for Sofia, Nuremberg, London, Los Angeles, Dallas and Utah" />

### 4. Access [#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.

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-access" alt="Step 4, Access: SSH key selected, with the saved key Alex laptop ticked" />

### 5. Details [#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.

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-details" alt="Step 5, Details: the name field and the project dropdown" />

### Review and create [#review-and-create]

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

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/step-summary" alt="The 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 [#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**.

<Shot name="getting-started/first-server/servers" alt="The Instances list with three running servers" />

## If something goes wrong [#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](/en/getting-started/regions-and-data-locations#request-a-restricted-region).
* **The server shows Failed.** Delete it and try again, or contact us from **Help & Support** with
  the server's name.

## Related [#related]

* [Connect to your server](/en/getting-started/connect-to-your-server)
* [A tour of the console](/en/getting-started/tour-of-the-console)