What happens between paying and having a server.
BEFORE ORDERING
Decide managed or unmanaged Decide the operating system Decide whether you need a control panel Size the specifications Confirm any software you need can run on it
ORDERING
Through the Client Area, or open a Sales ticket for anything non-standard.
PROVISIONING
Takes longer than shared hosting, since a machine is built and an operating system installed. Expect a wait rather than instant availability.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
The server's IP address Root credentials, or initial access details The control panel address, if one was included Instructions for first access
YOUR FIRST TASKS
Change the root password immediately Set up SSH key authentication Configure the firewall Apply all available updates Set up backups
These are covered in the next section. Do them before putting anything live, not afterwards.
IF SOMETHING IS WRONG AT HANDOVER
Open a ticket straight away rather than working around it.
