Creating a Virtual Private Server (VPS) without a credit card is possible using Google Cloud Shell. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up a completely free VPS without needing a credit card.
Google Cloud Shell is a free online shell environment provided by Google. It comes with 5GB of persistent storage and runs on the Google Cloud Platform, providing you with a completely free VPS. To access it:
Once you are logged in, you will see a terminal window at the bottom of your browser. This is your Google Cloud Shell environment. To start a new session:
sudo -i
to gain root access.Now that you have access to your VPS, it's time to set up your environment:
apt update && apt upgrade
apt install nano git
With your environment set up, you can now deploy your applications. Here’s how you can set up a simple web server using Python:
mkdir myproject && cd myproject
cat < server.py
import http.server
import socketserver
PORT = 8000
Handler = http.server.SimpleHTTPRequestHandler
with socketserver.TCPServer(("", PORT), Handler) as httpd:
print(f"Serving at port {PORT}")
httpd.serve_forever()
EOL
python3 server.py
https://[YOUR_PROJECT_ID].cloudshell.dev
in your browser.It's essential to secure your VPS to prevent unauthorized access. Here are some basic steps to enhance your VPS security:
apt update && apt upgrade
apt install ufw
ufw allow ssh
ufw enable
Google Cloud Shell offers an excellent way to create a free VPS without a credit card. By following the steps in this guide, you can set up and manage your own virtual private server at no cost. Start experimenting and deploying your applications today!