Co-location: prepare, ship and run your own server with us

Co-location means you own the server and we provide its home: rack space, power and a network connection. You keep full control of the hardware, firmware and software, and manage the server remotely; our team in the facility mounts it, connects it and helps when it needs hands on site. This guide covers the steps and how to prepare your hardware.

Before you start

• Read what the plan includes on the co-location page: a 1U slot, power, uplink, traffic and one IPv4 address.
• Check your server's power draw. The 1U plan includes 1 A at 220 V (about 220 W continuous). For more, ask before ordering.
• Need several servers or more space? Order one 1U slot per server, or contact us to plan a larger deployment.

Step 1: Order the plan

Order the co-location plan and complete the checkout in the client area; see create an account and order.

Step 2: Send your hardware details

Open a support ticket (open a support ticket), choose the co-location service as Related Service, and include:

• the make and model of the server and its height (1U);
• its power needs: power supplies, typical and maximum draw;
• whether it has a management controller (IPMI, iDRAC, iLO) you want connected;
• anything else we should know, such as rails supplied with the server.

We confirm the facility, the delivery details and the installation date in the ticket.

Step 3: Prepare the server before shipping

Do as much as possible while the server is still on your desk:

• Install and update the operating system, and test that it boots without a monitor or keyboard.
• Set up remote access you can rely on: SSH or Remote Desktop with strong credentials, and the management controller (IPMI or similar) with a new password. Ask us in the ticket for the network details you should configure.
• Firmware: update BIOS/UEFI and the management controller, and set the server to power on after a power loss.
• Label the server with your service name or hostname.
• Secure it: a firewall that allows only what you need; see secure a new Linux server.
• Back up your data before shipping. Hardware can be damaged in transit.

Step 4: Ship it and let us rack it

Send the server using the delivery details from the ticket and pack it well. When it arrives, our team mounts it in the rack, connects power and network, checks that it powers on, and lets you know once it is reachable. Rack and stack is included free with the plan.

Verify: you can reach the server over SSH or Remote Desktop at its address, and its management controller if you asked for it to be connected.

Step 5: Day-to-day work and hands-on help

You manage the server over the network. When it needs hands in the facility, open a ticket describing what to do, for example:

• power-cycle the server;
• check or reseat a network cable;
• look at the server's screen and report what it shows.

Give clear instructions and the hostname or label of the server.

Troubleshooting

The server is not reachable after the installation. The network configuration on the server does not match the details we gave you, or a firewall blocks access. Use the management controller console if it is connected, or open a ticket and ask us to check the screen.

The server switches off when it is busy. It may exceed the power included in the plan. Check its draw and ask us about more power.

I need more IPv4 addresses or more traffic. Open a ticket with what you need and what you will use it for.

Next steps

• Use the management controller: IPMI console and virtual media.
• Prepare for attacks: DDoS protection basics.