This practical checklist helps you launch a production‑ready dedicated server on Retslav. It covers plan selection, secure OS installation, network hardening, backups, and ongoing maintenance. If you prefer fully managed assistance, our team can complete these steps for you.
Choose the right plan
Start with the smallest plan that meets your p95 CPU and memory needs, then scale. Use our configurator to set CPU, RAM, NVMe storage, and additional IPs. For latency‑sensitive apps, pick a region close to your users from the network map.
Install and secure the OS
- Reinstall with your preferred OS image. Keep packages up to date.
- Create a non‑root user; add your SSH public key and disable password logins.
- Configure a basic firewall (allow SSH, app ports; deny everything else).
- Harden SSH (change port, disable root login, enable fail2ban or equivalent).
Storage, snapshots, and backups
Separate data from OS where possible. Schedule nightly snapshots and keep a weekly full backup with daily incrementals. Test restores quarterly — a backup you’ve never restored is a rumor.
Observability and alerts
Export metrics and logs to your preferred stack. Set alerts for CPU saturation, disk fill, error rate, and latency. Subscribe to our status page for maintenance notices.
Go‑live checklist
- Load test against a staging environment.
- Lower DNS TTLs before cutover; monitor p95 latency and error budgets.
- Document runbooks for on‑call: restart procedures, contact paths, and rollback steps.
FAQ
Can you help with migration?
Yes — from rsync‑based transfers to database cutovers. Contact support for white‑glove assistance.
What about compliance?
We provide data‑location guarantees and access controls appropriate for most regulatory contexts. Reach out for specifics.