Cloud Server Selection Guide: Must-Read for Beginners

What is a Cloud Server

A cloud server (Cloud Server) is a simple, efficient computing service with elastic processing capability. It helps users build more stable and secure applications faster, improve operational efficiency, and reduce IT costs.

Preparation Before Selection

Define Your Requirements

Before purchasing a cloud server, ask yourself a few questions:

What’s the purpose?
- Personal blog
- Corporate website
- E-commerce site
- Mobile app backend
What’s the expected traffic?
- Daily visits < 1000
- Daily visits 1000-10000
- Daily visits > 10000
Technical requirements
- Required runtime environment (Node.js, Python, PHP, etc.)
- Database requirements
- Storage space requirements

Configuration Selection Guide

CPU Cores

Application Scenario	Recommended Configuration	Description
Personal blog	1 core	Sufficient for daily visits
Small business website	2 cores	Supports medium traffic
E-commerce platform	4 cores+	High concurrency processing

Memory Size

Application Type	Recommended Memory	Description
Static website	1GB	Basically sufficient
WordPress blog	2GB	Smoother experience
Java application	4GB+	Java apps have higher memory usage

Disk Storage

System Disk:

40GB minimum, SSD recommended
20-40GB sufficient for Linux systems
50GB+ recommended for Windows systems

Data Disk:

Choose according to actual needs
SSD or ESSD recommended
Can be expanded anytime

Bandwidth Selection

Bandwidth	Suitable Scenarios
1Mbps	Personal blog, test environment
3Mbps	Small business website
5Mbps+	E-commerce, high-traffic websites

Cloud Service Provider Selection

Mainstream Domestic Cloud Service Providers

Alibaba Cloud - Largest market share, most complete ecosystem
Tencent Cloud - Clear advantages in gaming and social
Huawei Cloud - Strong enterprise service capabilities
Baidu Cloud - High AI and big data integration

Selection Recommendations

New users: Choose providers with promotional activities
Enterprise users: Consider ecosystem integration and service support
Personal users: Focus on cost-effectiveness

Cost Optimization Tips

1. Use Promotional Activities

New user exclusive discounts
Limited-time promotions
Annual/monthly payment discounts

2. Choose Appropriate Billing Method

Pay-as-you-go: Suitable for short-term testing
Annual/Monthly: More economical for long-term projects
Spot instance: Lowest cost (interruptible)

3. Plan Resources Rationally

Start with small configuration, upgrade as needed
Use load balancing to improve resource utilization
Regularly clean up idle resources

Deployment Steps

1. Purchase Cloud Server

Register cloud service provider account
Select instance specification
Select image (operating system)
Configure network and security groups
Submit order and pay

2. Connect to Server

Linux system:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Windows system: Use remote desktop connection tool

3. Deploy Application

Install runtime environment
Upload code
Configure database
Configure domain

Security Recommendations

Set Strong Passwords
- Use complex passwords
- Change passwords regularly
Configure Security Groups
- Only open necessary ports
- Limit IP access
Regular Backups
- Use snapshot functionality
- Back up important data
Timely Updates
- Update system patches
- Update application software

FAQ

Q1: Should I choose Linux or Windows?

Linux:

Free and open source
High stability
Suitable for web applications

Windows:

Friendly graphical interface
Suitable for ASP.NET applications
Requires licensing fees

Q2: How to choose region?

Prioritize region close to users
Consider network quality
Note filing requirements

Q3: Do I need to purchase public IP?

Need to provide external services: Yes
Internal use only: No

Summary

Choosing a cloud server requires comprehensive consideration of performance, price, service, and other factors. It’s recommended that beginners start with basic configuration and gradually upgrade as business grows. Remember: the most suitable is the best.

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