---
title: "Video: VM Configuration"
description: "Learn how to set up and manage Edge Compute virtual machines. Choose an OS, create a VM, connect via SSH, configure firewall rules, resize instances, and manage backups."
url: https://edge.network/academy/video-vm-configuration/
---

# Video: VM Configuration

[Back to Academy](https://edge.network/academy)
Video Tutorial
10 min watch

# VM Configuration

Set up and manage Edge Compute virtual machines. Choose your OS and size, create VMs, connect via SSH, add firewall rules, resize instances, and manage backups and snapshots.

Video coming soon

Follow the written guide below in the meantime

## What this tutorial covers

Follow along with the video or use this written guide to get your virtual machines up and running.

### Choosing an OS and Size

[Edge Compute](https://edge.network/compute) supports Ubuntu, Debian, and other popular Linux distributions. Pick an OS that matches
your stack. For size, start small — you can resize anytime without downtime. The smallest instances
are ideal for development and low-traffic apps.

Navigate to **Compute** → **Create VM** and select your preferred image
and instance size. Each size shows vCPU count, RAM, and estimated monthly cost.

### Creating a VM

Give your VM a name, select a region (choose one close to your users), and optionally add SSH keys
during creation. Click **Create** and Edge provisions your machine in under a minute.

You'll receive the VM's public IP and root credentials via email unless you used SSH keys.
Store these securely — you'll need them for your first login.

### Connecting via SSH

From your local terminal, connect using the VM's public IP:

# Connect as root
ssh root@<vm-ip>

# Or with a specific key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/my-key root@<vm-ip>

### Adding SSH Keys

For key-based authentication, add your public key before creating the VM, or add it later via the
control panel. Go to **Compute** → **SSH Keys**, paste your public key,
and associate it with existing VMs or new ones.

Key-based auth is more secure than passwords — we recommend disabling password login once keys are set up.

### Firewall Rules

Edge Compute includes a built-in firewall. By default, only SSH (22) is open. Add rules to allow
inbound traffic for web servers (80, 443), databases, or custom ports.

Configure firewall rules in the VM's **Networking** tab. Rules apply immediately
— no VM reboot required.

### Resizing Instances

Need more CPU or RAM? Resize your VM from the control panel. Select a larger size and apply.
The VM reboots briefly during the resize — plan for a few seconds of downtime. You can downsize
as well if you over-provisioned.

### Backups and Snapshots

Create snapshots before major changes or on a schedule. Snapshots are stored separately and can
be used to restore a VM or spin up a clone.

Enable automatic backups in **Settings** to protect production workloads.
Manual snapshots are useful for one-off captures before risky updates.

### Monitoring Metrics

Each VM has a metrics dashboard showing CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network traffic. Use these
to identify bottlenecks before resizing, and to set up alerts when utilisation exceeds thresholds.

Access metrics from the VM detail page. Historical data is retained for 30 days.

[Next: DNS Management Manage zones and records](https://edge.network/academy/video-dns-management) [Compute Documentation Full reference docs](https://edge.network/docs/compute)