Creating a new server

In order to create a new server choose the application you want to work with by clicking its name in the Overcast Applications page, then click the [Add server] icon on the right side.

Add a server

This will start a guided procedure to configure and launch a server.

Region and Server Type

The first step in the server launch process is selecting the geographical region where the server should run and what type of server to launch, SmartFoxServer 2X in this example. Then click the Submit button to proceed to the next step.

Create Server / Region and Type, step 1

Name and Tier

Next give the server a name, a description (optional) and choose one of the available tiers. A tier sets the available resources (CPU, memory, volume size, included data transfer) and the base monthly server price. For detailed information on tiers visit the service pricing page.

Create Server / Name and Tier

At the bottom of the screen you will also find an option for selecting an existing server snapshot. This is a full image of a server stored previously, which can be used as a template for the new server. For the moment you can skip the step and proceed normally. This is further discussed under Server snapshots.

Version and Password

Here you choose the software version to install and a custom admin password. The latter will be used to connect to the instance via its administration dashboard (the AdminTool for SmartFoxServer and PhpMyAdmin for MySQL). Make sure to choose a secure enough combination of characters and symbols.

Create Server / Version and Password
NOTE: when SmartFoxServer is launched, a default user called sfsadmin is created and it is associated with the password you provided. Use this account to connect via the AdminTool.
NOTE: when MySQL is launched, a default user called root is created and it is associated with the password you provided. Use this account to connect via PhpMyAdmin.

Domain Name

This step is executed if a second-level domain is assigned to the application only, as described under Creating a new application, and if the selected server type supports it. Routing the traffic to a server through its domain name is mandatory if you want to activate SmartFoxServer's protocol cryptography, which requires a standard SSL certificate linked to an existing domain.

Enter the third-level domain name you want to assign to the server (i.e. tictactoe.mygamedomain.com), or leave it empty.

Create Server / Domain Name

Billing Plan

Next you have to choose one of the available billing plans. You will get different levels of discount based on the number of prepaid months you select.

Create Server / Billing Plan

Review and confirm

Finally, the last step summarizes all the settings for you to review. You can also check the total server price for the selected billing period, including taxes if applicable.

Create Server / Confirm

Once confirmed, Overcast will launch the server and charge the credit card entered in the billing details. An invoice will also be sent to your email address. You will be then redirected to the Application view, where you can check the state of the server, its public IP and domain name (if set) and access the server details and controls.

Please note that the installation process can take several minutes, during which the server state is "running-setup". When the state changes to "running", the server is ready.

Quick testing the server

Once you get the green light, the server is installed and ready. You can click the [Admin] icon on the right side to be redirected to the admin login screen to quickly test the connection to the server. You can login following the instructions under Managing a server.

Server ready

You can also access the Server Details view by clicking on the server name. The [Actions] icon gives access to the server controls, while the [Edit domain] icon lets you set/change/delete the custom domain name assigned to the server. Check the Managing a server document for more information.