# Registering a VPS

You will need an Ubuntu VPS to host your node to allow you to be part of the testnet.

I personally recommend keeping it nice and cheap for the testnet but that does not mean going under specification!

Check out <https://contabo.com/en/vps/> for the screen below so you can choose a VPS.  The Best Choice below will meet the requirements of the testnet no problem whilst also not burning a hole in your pocket.

NOTE: VPS from Vultr for the same specification can be as much as $80 per month so it pays to shop around.

{% hint style="info" %}
For **MAINNET** see the tab below
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Testnet Specification" %}
The requirements are: Ubuntu 18.04 or 20.04 LTS x64 VPS, 320 GB SSD, 6 CPU, 16 GB RAM, 5 TB bandwidth
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Mainnet Specification" %}

### Top Specification

The top specification (expensive though) is: Ubuntu 18.04 or 20.04 LTS x64 VPS of the spec matching [c5.4xlarge](https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/instance-types/c5/) which is 16 vcpu, 32 GB RAM.

### Minimum Specification

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS x64, 12vcpu, 16GB Ram, 320GB SSD, 5 TB bandwidth, preferably not on shared infrastructure.

You could look at running a bare metal server with someone like [Leaseweb](https://www.leaseweb.com/dedicated-servers/high-performance-server) if you want some dedicated hardware at a reasonable price. Other providers are available like AWS, Vultr, Digital Ocean etc.

{% content-ref url="broken-reference" %}
[Broken link](https://cotidocs.geordier.co.uk/purchases/broken-reference)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Registering a VPS for Testnet

I'll take you through everything from buying the VPS to setting it up, lets go.

![](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYvmCiSFB_iftoi50Cj%2Fcoti-tutorial-30-b.png?alt=media\&token=9c7f4f31-1d6d-4bd5-bc5f-544e90b387be)

![](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYw6YjtrtFF63EUG7Rg%2Fcoti-tutorial-43.png?alt=media\&token=dd0a6f4d-2dda-4ed5-923d-42d38bf7cbb1)

![Fill in your details](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYw6dKvRqkhCQIfQGCG%2Fcoti-tutorial-44.png?alt=media\&token=f8c5efb2-851c-4e39-9245-960a7e31be66)

![Select your preferred payment method](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYw6flGw9evK5q5Nu-s%2Fcoti-tutorial-45.png?alt=media\&token=883cd613-3f50-4c4e-979f-789b38dcf869)

![](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYw6mG4qhpnBTg33cZW%2Fcoti-tutorial-47.png?alt=media\&token=519576f8-58bf-4169-96d7-7c6ea7e96657)

![](https://4065412983-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYjiRCkwZWAIQCdcw31%2F-MYvm3ypPbfYZQK57U5x%2F-MYw6s-wgS7AaR8spIH5%2Fcoti-tutorial-48.png?alt=media\&token=aeae1141-d582-4c73-b7a4-cd2a0950eef1)

Now you can take a break while your VPS is provisioned.  This can take a few hours but may be sooner.  You will be emailed once the VPS is ready.