How to get yourself a Server (for free!)
This guide requires you to know:
0: What is VM Manage
VM-Manage is a pilot service providing students and instructors with semester-long access to linux virtual machines (VMs) and Linux Docker containers for software development projects. Typical uses of this service are to develop and test servers for Innovation Co-Lab projects or coursework. Think of VM-Manage as an alternative to running a server in your dorm room - you have complete control of the server, and you are responsible for server security and backing up your work.
VM-Manage VMs are well-suited to acting as backend servers for mobile applications or public-facing web services because they have public IP addresses and are available 24x7. However, since this is a software development sandbox, you should not run production or high traffic servers on VM-Manage machines.
1: Getting a server
Go to https:\/\/vm-manage.oit.duke.edu and login with your netID and password, and click "New" in the tab at upper right corner.
The form should be pre-filled with your information. Fill in necessary fields and click "Next"
Here, fill in information about your project.
Choose the server image you'd like to use. The recommended choice is Debian Jessie. Debian Jessie is a pure base image and you may use to configure or install services needed.
Next is the Agreement Page. You'll need to agree to the terms.
In the "Finish" page, you'll see a summary of your request. Make sure your information is filled in correctly, and click "Request VM"
You'll be brought to the "Manage" tab, and the VM is displayed. The Full Name is the domain name for your server, and the Initial Password is your password for logging into the server using ssh.
2: Requesting an Alias
You're allowed an *.colab.duke.edu alias for each of your VM. To request an alias, go to the "Register Alias" tab at the upper right corner. In the page, click "Register a new alias/CNAME for a server".
Fill in the alias you prefer, and the matching server name (the Full Name previously mentioned). Then click "Request Alias". When the alias is successfully registered, you'll receive a notification email, and you may use the alias to visit or ssh into the server.