> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://owen31302.gitbook.io/github-education/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://owen31302.gitbook.io/github-education/digital-ocean/how-to-create-instance-on-digital-ocean.md).

# How to create cloud instance and access it on Digital Ocean

{% hint style="success" %}
If you're creating new account on DigitalOcean, please register with referral link to get $100 credit.

### Give $100, Get $25

Everyone you refer gets $100 in credit over 60 days. Once they’ve spent $25 with us, you'll get $25. There is no limit to the amount of credit you can earn through referrals.

**Here is my** [**referral link**](https://m.do.co/c/f41ef94616cc) **if you cannot find one.**

With $100 credit, you can use the one basic droplet for 20 months ($5/month).

If you're student, you could earn extra $50 credit from github student developer pack.
{% endhint %}

![](/files/-MSOONc9aPf5n84HlD3D)

Once you login in Digital ocean website, you can create cloud instance at the drop down menu on the top right corner.

![](/files/-MSL_0lrsl13ywMYf50t)

You need to choose the image for your instance. Here I am choosing Debian as my OS and you can pick any that suits your needs.

![](/files/-MSL_Zk4Qvgnrm7qfiWZ)

Here is the most important part for your container. With basic instance, you can have **1G CPU/25G SSD Disk** which I think is very attempting option. Not every cloud provider gives SSD storage for free and it only costs you $5 per month and you already have $100 credit (or more if you're student).

![](/files/-MSL_s4y72KoaNsuk5YZ)

I will leave block storage as blank for now.

Choose datacenter where closest to your location or your target user.

![](/files/-MSLbAwPnlwKky6A7iYi)

VPC network is enabled by default.

Select Monitoring for the performance metrics.

![](/files/-MSLbWiripxYRW1GE7aL)

At the Authentication section, add your SSH keys so that you could access your cloud instance.

Click on Add key

![](/files/-MSLbxKxtTN4y4r8e_kr)

If you have already created SSH public key (or you don't remember), simply put the following command in your terminal to retrieve public key at your PC.

```
cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
```

![](/files/-MSLcetQWnmRRKEuA5Uv)

If you don't have any public key, you can create one by entering following command in your terminal.

```
ssh-keygen
```

![](/files/-MSLczW-Q7DR3gz7Brk8)

Once you have your public key ready, you can copy paste on the text area (Please do not copy any extra space or new line).

![](/files/-MSOGVapzj0HQijnhRUZ)

Enter your hostname

![](/files/-MSOGneAavcnWLasn2mr)

Enter tags if you plan to have multiple droplets and need to manage it.

Select which project you want to create the droplet in.

Here I will skip the backup.

Once you create a droplet, it take a few seconds to process.

![](/files/-MSOHUWYXOs5oZYQ6ymK)

You will get the droplet ip address when created.

![](/files/-MSOHhx3EfC2IXOJFW9S)

## Access your cloud instance

You can access your cloud instance via ssh:

```
>> ssh root@<Your droplet ipv4 address>
```

You will get similar response when you successfully access the droplet:

```
The authenticity of host '144.126.220.34 (144.126.220.34)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:xxx.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes


Warning: Permanently added '144.126.220.34' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
Linux debian-test 4.19.0-10-cloud-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.132-1 (2020-07-24) x86_64

The programs included with the Debian GNU/Linux system are free software;
the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the
individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright.

Debian GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
```

You can do some testing for this droplet:

```
root@debian-test:~# ls
root@debian-test:~# mkdir test
root@debian-test:~# ls
test
```

When you want to leave the connection, just enter exit:

```
root@debian-test:~# exit
logout
Connection to 144.126.220.34 closed.
```

For more ssh access information, please check the [official page](https://www.digitalocean.com/docs/droplets/how-to/connect-with-ssh/openssh/).

## Destroy Droplet

You can destroy the droplet if you're done testing (bill is counted on daily basis) or you don't need it anymore.

![](/files/-MSOIId7aplN56Idvrsr)

Digital ocean also offers charts to monitor your droplets.

![](/files/-MSOI-4jkT4VnjwW6xRi)