Setup DigitalOcean Server

This is a checklist for creating a DigitalOcean server.

1. Buy a domain from a domain provider.

   GoDaddy, 101domains, whatever.
   

2. Create DigitalOcean account if you don't have one.
3. Generate and add a SSH key to DigitalOcean. More details in SSH notes.

   ssh-keygen
   # id_all_to_digitaloceah_hostname
   # Generates:
   # id_all_to_digitaloceah_hostname
   # id_all_to_digitaloceah_hostname.pub
   

4. Add the new SSH key to DigitalOcean.

   SSH Keys -> Add SSH Key -> paste .pub file content
   

5. Create a droplet.

   Droplet Hostname: <DOMAIN_NAME>
   Select Size: $5/mo
   Select Region: Amsterdam 3
   Available Settings: none
   Select Image: Ubuntu 14.04 x64
   Add optional SSH Keys: <AND_SELECT_THE_PREVIOUS_SSH_KEY>.
   

6. You can now connect to the server using the IP and SSH key. But configure DNS now because those changes can take up to 2 days to take effect.
7. Create a DNS hosted zone on DigitalOcean or use an external provider.

   # DNS -> Add Domain.
   Name: <DOMAIN_NAME>
   IP Address: <WILL_CHANGE_WHEN_YOU_SELECT_THE_DROPLET>
   Droplet: <SELECT_THE_DROPLET>
   

   # Fill in any of the missing details.
   A       @       1IP.ADD.RES.S3
   CNAME   *       @
   NS      NS1.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   NS      NS2.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   NS      NS3.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   

   # Also add these if you want to direct email traffic for gmail.
   MX      1       ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
   MX      5       ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
   MX      5       ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
   MX      10      ASPMX2.GOOGLEMAIL.COM.
   MX      10      ASPMX3.GOOGLEMAIL.COM.
   

8. Get back to your domain provider control panel. Add the previous DigitalOcean or external provider name servers. Find how to edit DNS on that domain provider, look for "Edit DNS" or something similar.

   Primary DNS: NS1.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   Secondary DNS: NS2.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   Tertiary DNS: NS3.DIGITALOCEAN.COM.
   DNS 4: <BLANK>
   DNS X: <BLANK>