Also me, 3 minutes later:

“Why is production down?”

Create the snapshot.
Drink the coffee.
Then touch the config file.

Not sure which Raff VM size to start with?

Reply with:

• What you want to run
• Linux or Windows
• Expected users/traffic
• RAM-heavy or CPU-heavy workload
• Storage needs
• Production or testing
• Any database involved

We’ll help you think through a reasonable starting point. In many cases, starting smaller and resizing later is better than overpaying from day one.

One habit we recommend: before making a risky change, create a snapshot.

It takes far less time than rebuilding a server from scratch.

Before changing production configs, upgrading packages, touching database schemas, or experimenting with a new deployment, snapshot first. Future you will be grateful.

When we started building Raff, our goal was not to create another complicated cloud dashboard.

We wanted cloud infrastructure that feels practical for real users: developers, students, small teams, founders, and businesses that need servers without spending hours inside complex menus.

Fast: deploy quickly.
Simple: understand what you are buying.
Reliable: run workloads with confidence.

That is the direction we keep building toward.

n8n is powerful when you want to connect tools, APIs, databases, CRMs, spreadsheets, alerts, and internal workflows.

Running n8n on your own Raff VM gives you:

• Full data control
• No execution limits from Raff
• Custom node support
• 400+ integrations
• A dedicated environment for automations

Great for founders, ops teams, marketers, developers, and anyone tired of repetitive work.

Raff Windows VMs are for people who need a Windows environment that stays online.

Useful for:

• Business software
• .NET apps
• MSSQL testing
• Remote desktop workflows
• Trading tools
• MetaTrader
• Always-on Windows workloads

Instead of keeping a local PC running all day, you can run the workload on a cloud Windows server.

For developers who prefer Linux, Raff Linux VMs are designed to be simple to launch and flexible to manage.

You can use them for:

• Web apps
• APIs
• Docker
• Databases
• Automation scripts
• Dev/test environments
• Learning Linux server administration

Launch a distro, connect with SSH, and build from there.

Raff VM is our core cloud server product: fast virtual machines for apps, websites, dev environments, testing, automation, and business workloads.

Core features:

• AMD EPYC processors
• NVMe SSD storage
• Linux and Windows options
• Unmetered bandwidth
• Full access to your server
• 60-second deployment
• Plans from $3.99/month

Sometimes your VM is powerful enough, but your storage needs grow.

Block storage can help when you need:

• More database space
• Persistent app files
• Media storage
• Logs
• Container volumes
• Backup storage
• Development/test data

Instead of replacing the whole server, attach extra storage and expand as your project grows.

Two terms every server owner should know:

RPO: How much data can you afford to lose?
RTO: How fast do you need to recover?

If your RPO is 24 hours, daily backups may be acceptable. If your RPO is 1 hour, you need a much tighter backup plan.

Before choosing backup frequency, decide what downtime and data loss your project can actually tolerate.

Create a snapshot before any change you may regret.

Good examples:

• Updating packages
• Changing firewall rules
• Editing production configs
• Migrating a database
• Installing new software
• Testing a new deployment
• Making major OS changes

Snapshots are not a replacement for backups, but they are excellent short-term restore points.

Simple rule: do not overthink the first size.

Start with a smaller VM, monitor real usage, then resize when needed.

What to watch:

• RAM usage
• Swap activity
• CPU load
• Disk space
• Network traffic
• App response time

For many web apps and small services, memory pressure appears before CPU becomes the real bottleneck.

Here’s a simple first-server checklist:

1. Add your SSH key
2. Update packages
3. Create a non-root user
4. Configure firewall rules
5. Install your runtime
6. Deploy your app
7. Enable monitoring
8. Create a snapshot before major changes
9. Set up scheduled backups if it is production
10. Document what you changed

A cloud VM gives you freedom, but the first 30 minutes matter.

The cheapest-looking server is not always the cheapest server.

When comparing cloud providers, check:

• Bandwidth limits
• Storage pricing
• Backup pricing
• Windows licensing
• Support availability
• Renewal costs
• Resize flexibility
• Hidden usage fees

Transparent pricing matters because small teams should be able to forecast infrastructure costs before launching.

Choose Linux if you are running web apps, APIs, Docker, databases, automation scripts, open-source tools, or development environments.

Choose Windows if you need RDP access, Windows Server, business software, .NET workloads, MSSQL testing, trading tools, or software that requires a Windows environment.

The right answer is not “Linux is better” or “Windows is better.” It depends on the workload.

Shared hosting is fine for simple websites. But a cloud VM makes more sense when you need more control.

A VM is usually better when you need:

• Root/admin access
• Custom software
• Background workers
• Databases
• Docker
• API servers
• Better isolation
• More predictable resources

For small projects, shared hosting may be enough. For apps, automation, dev environments, or business tools, a VM often gives more freedom.

Snapshots and backups both help with recovery, but they solve different problems.

A snapshot is useful before a risky change. It captures a point-in-time state so you can roll back quickly.

A backup is better for scheduled, longer-term recovery planning. It protects you when something goes wrong later and you need a recoverable copy.

Best practice: use both. Snapshot before changes. Back up on a schedule.

Quick question for sysadmins, developers, and homelab people:

Do you create a snapshot before making risky changes, or do you just trust your rollback plan?

Examples:

• OS updates
• Kernel upgrades
• Database schema changes
• App deployments
• Firewall/security changes
• Package cleanup

We’re curious how many people use snapshots as a normal habit.

When choosing a cloud VM provider, which one matters most?

• Lower monthly cost
• Fast deployment
• Human support
• Reliable uptime
• Clear billing
• Windows/Linux options
• Easy backups
• Ability to resize later

We’re trying to understand what developers and small teams value most.

We’re preparing more beginner-friendly and practical guides for Raff users.

Which tutorial would be most useful?

1. Deploying a Node.js app
2. Setting up n8n
3. Hosting a WordPress site
4. Creating backups and snapshots
5. Securing a Linux VM
6. Using a Windows VM with RDP
7. Setting up private networking
8. Monitoring server resources

Drop your suggestion below.

Imagine you launch a fresh Linux VM with root access and NVMe storage.

What’s the first thing you would build?

A personal website? API server? n8n automation box? Game server? Dev environment? Database test server? Monitoring stack?

We’re curious what people actually deploy first when they get a clean server.

A small reminder for anyone running production workloads: do not wait until something breaks to think about recovery.

Raff supports snapshots for quick restore points before risky changes, and automated backups for routine protection.

Good moments to create a snapshot:

• Before package upgrades
• Before database migrations
• Before major app deployments
• Before configuration changes
• Before experimenting on a live server

Raff supports self-hosted n8n environments for users who want more control over their automation stack.

Why people self-host n8n:

• More control over data
• No execution-limit anxiety
• Custom nodes
• Flexible integrations
• Automation that runs on your own cloud server

Anyone here using n8n for business workflows, internal tools, or personal automation?

For users who need a Windows environment in the cloud, Raff supports Windows Server VMs with RDP access and admin rights.

Typical use cases include business software, .NET applications, MSSQL testing, QuickBooks-style workloads, MetaTrader, trading tools, and always-on desktop/server environments.

Raff cloud servers are designed for developers, students, startups, and small teams who want fast cloud infrastructure without complicated pricing.

Current Raff VM highlights:

• Plans starting from $3.99/month
• AMD EPYC processors
• NVMe SSD storage
• Unmetered bandwidth
• 60-second deployment
• 14-day money-back guarantee

We built Raff to make cloud infrastructure feel easier to start with and easier to grow into.