Ever wondered how to get a free Linux server to play around with? Look no further! This blog post will guide you through the steps to get your very own Linux server for free.
What is a Linux Server?
In essence, a Linux server is a high-powered variant of the Linux open-source operating system. Linux servers are designed to handle the more demanding needs of business applications such as network and system administration, database management, and web services.
Free Linux Server Providers
There are several providers that offer free Linux server services. Some of the most popular among them include:
While these services are not indefinitely free, they offer a free tier that can be more than enough for a small project or for learning purposes. Let’s pick AWS as an example to set up a free Linux server.
Setting Up a Free Linux Server on AWS
Firstly, create an AWS account. Amazon provides a 12-month free tier for new customers, which includes 750 hours of EC2 Linux t2.micro instance usage per month. Here’s how to set it up:
Step 1: Sign in to AWS
Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Amazon EC2 console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/ec2/.
Step 2: Launch Instance
Click on “Launch Instance”, which will direct you to choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI).
Step 3: Choose an AMI
Select the “Free tier only” checkbox to filter the AMI list for those that are included in the free tier. Choose a Linux distribution of your choice. For example, “Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS”.
Step 4: Choose Instance Type
On the Choose an Instance Type page, you can select the hardware of your instance. Select the “t2.micro” type, which is free tier eligible, and then click on “Next: Configure Instance Details”.
Step 5: Configure Instance Details
On the Configure Instance Details page, you can specify additional details. However, for a simple Linux server setup, you can leave everything as default and click on “Next: Add Storage”.
Step 6: Add Storage
On the Add Storage page, you can add a storage device to your instance. The default settings are usually sufficient, so click on “Next: Add Tags”.
Step 7: Add Tags
On the Add Tags page, you can assign metadata to your instance in the form of tags. If you have no specific tags to add, simply click on “Next: Configure Security Group”.
Step 8: Configure Security Group
Create a new security group for your instance. Be sure to add a rule that allows SSH so that you can connect to your instance. Click on “Review and Launch”.
Step 9: Review and Launch
Review your instance launch details. Then, click on “Launch”.
Step 10: Select Key Pair
Choose an existing key pair or create a new one. If you create a new one, be sure to download and save it in a safe and accessible location. You will need this key pair to connect to your instance. Click on “Launch Instances”.
Connect to Your Linux Server
Now that your Linux server is set up, you can connect to it using SSH. If you’re on Windows, you can use an application like PuTTY, while Linux and MacOS users can use the terminal.
ssh -i /path/my-key-pair.pem ubuntu@public_dns_name
Replace /path/my-key-pair.pem with the path where you stored your key pair and public_dns_name with the Public DNS of your instance.
And there you have it, your very own Linux server for free!
