Deploying a server

Deploying a bare metal server is easy and can be done from the dashboard or API. We take care of the provisioning, operating system installation, and configuration based on the settings you choose, and as soon as the deployment finishes, you can retrieve the access credentials.

To create a new bare metal instance, log in to the dashboard and go to Servers, then click on the Create server. You'll be taken to this page:

📘

Pro-tip

metal.new takes you straight to the server deployment page.

Options

• Operating systems: Some operating systems are not available depending on the server selected. This is due to different architectures not supporting some OS images. Use the /plans/operating_systems endpoint to list all operating systems and their supported features.
• SSH keys: When you deploy with an SSH key, password authentication is disabled, and the dashboard won't show the password to you after deployment. Learn more about creating and adding your SSH keys here.
• RAID: The RAID option will be available if the server and operating system you selected support it. To support RAID, the server needs at least two disks of the same type. Use the /plans endpoint to see which servers support RAID. Learn more about RAID here.
• Quantity: The quantity selector allows you to deploy more than one server simultaneously. You can deploy up to five servers per request.
  • If we don't have enough stock to deploy the number of servers you need, we will deploy up to the maximum amount of servers available and ignore subsequent requests.

Instant deployments

Instant deployments are the fastest way to create servers in Latitude.sh.

Some operating systems can be deployed in as little as 15 seconds. When selecting an operating system on the server creation page, you will see a badge for operating systems that can be deployed instantly.

This feature does not support user data or RAID yet. Adding user data or selecting RAID will make the server go through the standard deploy process, which takes approximately 10 minutes.

Reinstalling a server

🚧

Reinstalling a server completely erases all disks on it and creates a fresh install of the OS of your choice. This process is irreversible, so please use caution.

To reinstall a server, go to the server page, click on the Actions button and select Reinstall. You will be presented with the available options to reinstall the device.

When submitting a reinstall request, the system formats the disks and installs the selected operating system. You can follow the reinstall progress of your server.

Access credentials

When a server is deployed or reinstalled, a section on the server overview page is shown with the username and password that was set for your server. Use that along with the public IP address to gain access to your server for the first time.

If you didn't deploy with an SSH key, after logging into your server for the first time, you'll be prompted to change your password.

Logging into your server

Linux

The default SSH TCP port for Linux servers is 22. Root access is disabled by default so you first need to log in with the provided username and then sudo to root.

To find your server credentials, go to the server overview page. You should be able to copy and paste the command to access your server.

As a security measure, Latitude.sh will force you to change your server's password on the first login.

On Windows, you can either use WSL and log in using the command from the overview page or install an application that allows you to connect via SSH. The most popular one is PuttY.

Windows

from Windows

Windows servers are delivered with RDP and Administrator account enabled. Use the Remote Desktop Connection application.

from Linux

You will need to install a package to enable RDP sessions to servers. Remmina is a popular one, but there are many others available.

from Mac OS X

To make a remote desktop connection, you need additional software.

Commonly the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac is used, which can be found from the Mac App Store.

Deleting a server

🚧

Before you delete a server

• Deleting a server triggers a full disk erase of its disks in an irreversible manner. Before you delete a server, make sure you are deleting the correct one.
• It can take up to an hour before the deleted server reflects on your billing summary.

To delete a server, go to the page of server you want to delete on the dashboard and select Delete from the Actions button.

Confirm that you'd like to delete the server by typing the server hostname.