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Getting Started with DigitalOcean

Short intro to DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is a popular cloud infrastructure provider that offers cloud computing services to developers.

Short intro to DigitalOcean - Tutorial provided by AppSeed.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with DigitalOcean

✅ Create an Account​

  • Visit the DigitalOcean website (https://www.digitalocean.com/).
  • Click the "Get Started for Free" or "Sign Up" button to create an account.
  • Provide your email address, create a password, and complete the registration process.

✅ Access the Control Panel​

Once you've created an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the DigitalOcean Control Panel.

This is where you can manage your resources and create virtual machines (Droplets), databases, and other services.

✅ Manage Services​

Droplets (Virtual Machines)​

Droplets are DigitalOcean's virtual machines. To create one:

  • Click the "Create Droplet" button.
  • Choose an operating system (Linux distributions like Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and others are available).
  • Select a plan (size of your virtual machine).
  • Choose a data center region (select the one closest to your target audience).
  • You can add additional options like SSH keys, user data, and monitoring if needed.
  • Click "Create Droplet" to launch your virtual machine.

SSH Access​

If you're using SSH keys for secure access to your Droplets, you'll need to add your public key during the creation process.

DigitalOcean provides a guide on how to set up SSH keys: How to Set Up SSH Keys.

Connect to Your Droplet​

After your Droplet is created, you can connect to it using SSH. The IP address and login information will be provided in the Control Panel.

Example: ssh username@your_droplet_ip

Manage Your Resources​

You can manage and monitor your Droplets, databases, and other resources from the DigitalOcean Control Panel.

You can also use the DigitalOcean API and CLI for automation and programmatic control.

Explore Other Services​

DigitalOcean offers various services beyond Droplets, including managed databases, object storage, Kubernetes clusters, and more. Explore their offerings based on your project requirements.

Billing and Pricing​

Familiarize yourself with DigitalOcean's billing and pricing structure. You'll be charged based on your usage, so it's essential to understand the costs associated with your resources.

Documentation and Community​

DigitalOcean has excellent documentation and an active community. If you have questions or run into issues, you can often find solutions in their tutorials and community forums.

Security Best Practices​

Ensure that you follow security best practices to protect your resources and data. This includes regularly updating your software, configuring firewalls, and implementing access control.

✅ In Summary​

Remember that DigitalOcean offers a $100 free credit to new users, which can help you get started without incurring initial costs. This credit is typically enough to run a few Droplets for a month.

Always be cautious about managing your resources, and be aware of any charges that may apply to avoid unexpected costs. DigitalOcean's user-friendly interface and extensive documentation make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

✅ Resources​