# Your first Gyro Cloud Istanbul server: ordering, SSH key, connecting and first security steps

https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-first-server

- **What you will learn**: How to order a server in the Istanbul region, choose the operating system and SSH key, connect for the first time, and the security steps for the first 10 minutes.
- **Time**: 12 minutes
- **Who this is for**: Anyone opening a first server.
- **What you need**: A Gyro account, a balance (the order checks the first 24 hours of charge; the minimum top-up is 250 TRY) and an SSH key pair. If you have no key see [Creating an SSH key](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/ssh-anahtari-olusturma).

## 1. Before you start

- **Plan:** Start small; you can resize later ([Resizing](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-resize-and-hostname)). Prices: [How the hourly price is calculated](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/how-the-hourly-price-is-calculated).
- **Operating system:** Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12 or AlmaLinux 8. If unsure, choose Ubuntu 24.04.
- **How you sign in:** With an SSH key (recommended) or with the root password shown in the panel.
- **Balance:** The order requires your balance to cover the first 24 hours of charge.

> **Warning**
> 
> Paste only the **public key** (the `.pub` file; one line starting `ssh-ed25519 AAAA…` or `ssh-rsa AAAA…`) into the order screen. Never paste a private key (the one that says `BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY`) anywhere.

## 2. Ordering step by step

1. Open **Gyro Cloud Istanbul** from the Products menu.
2. On the plan that suits you press **Get started**. The order page opens. The payment option is **hourly, from balance**; the order total shows 0 TRY.
3. Choose a distribution from the **Operating system** list.
4. Optionally choose an app from the **One-click app** list (WordPress, n8n and so on). Without an app an empty server is installed.
5. Paste your public key into the **SSH public key** box. In this region you can add **up to 10** keys (one per line).
6. Tick add-ons such as the **Network Firewall** if needed; on a prepaid server these add-ons are also charged hourly.
7. Complete the order. If your balance is too low the panel shows the amount needed and a top-up link.

> **Info**
> 
> **cloud-init (user data) is not supported** in the Istanbul region. To automate setup use one-click apps, or connect and run your own script.

> **Info**
> 
> In the first week the number of servers per account is limited (default 2). When the limit is reached the panel shows a clear message.

## 3. Connect to your server

1. Open **My Services** and click your new server. While it installs the status shows **Installing**; when ready it becomes **Active**/**Running** (usually 2-4 minutes).
2. Copy the **IP address** from the **Service Information** card on **Overview**. The user name is **root**.
3. In your terminal (PowerShell or Windows Terminal on Windows) connect: bash`ssh root@203.0.113.10`
4. At the first connection type `yes` to accept the fingerprint.
5. **If you gave no key**, show the root password with the eye icon on the **PASSWORD** line and paste it.

> **Info**
> 
> Your SSH key is installed by the platform after the server boots; this can take a few minutes. If key login says "Permission denied", **wait 2-3 minutes** and try again. If it still fails after 10 minutes, sign in with the root password through the **VNC Console** and check `/root/.ssh/authorized_keys`, or open a support ticket.

## 4. What to do in the first 10 minutes

| Step | Command or place | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Update the system | `apt update && apt -y upgrade` (Ubuntu/Debian) or `dnf -y upgrade` (AlmaLinux) | Security patches |
| Set the host name | `hostnamectl set-hostname web-1.example.com` | The name inside the system (the panel name is a separate label) |
| Turn off password login | `PasswordAuthentication no` in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config`, then `systemctl restart ssh` | Against password guessing |
| Firewall | The panel's [Network Firewall](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-firewall) or `ufw` on the server | Keep only needed ports open |
| Backup | A [snapshot](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-rdns-snapshots) when needed + your own backup | There is no automatic backup |

> **Warning**
> 
> Before turning off password login, confirm in another terminal window that you can sign in with your key; otherwise you may lock yourself out. If you are locked out, use the **VNC Console**.

## 5. Quick checks

```
# Network address
ip -4 addr show scope global
# Disk and memory
df -h / ; free -h
# Operating system
cat /etc/os-release | head -2
```

## 6. Frequently asked questions

**I changed the server name in the panel but the name inside the server is the same; what should I do?**

The panel name is only a label. Set the server's own name inside the server with `hostnamectl set-hostname`.

**Several people will connect; can I add keys?**

Up to 10 keys are added during ordering. To add more later, connect and append lines to `~/.ssh/authorized_keys`.

**The order said "insufficient balance"; what should I do?**

Your balance must cover the first 24 hours of charge; see [Topping up](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/topping-up-balance-and-first-order-rule).

**My server stayed in installation for a long time; what should I do?**

Most servers are ready in 2-4 minutes. Open a support ticket if it goes beyond 15 minutes.

## Next step

- [Power, password, reinstall and console](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-power-password-console)
- [Firewall and security groups](https://www.gyrohosting.com/en/knowledgebase/article/gyro-cloud-istanbul-firewall)