> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.latitude.sh/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deploying a server

You can deploy a bare metal server via the dashboard or [API](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/api-reference/create-server). Latitude.sh takes care of provisioning, OS installation, and configuration based on the settings you choose.
Once deployment is complete, you'll receive your access credentials.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/latitudesh/ZWurrjun6MJRTyC0/images/product/4.Docs25Q4.ServerDeploy.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZWurrjun6MJRTyC0&q=85&s=25aa419543784fa7fcd38da223af4982" alt="Server deployment page" width="2940" height="1450" data-path="images/product/4.Docs25Q4.ServerDeploy.png" />

<Tip>
  [metal.new](https://metal.new) takes you straight to the server deployment
  page.
</Tip>

Follow these steps to deploy a server from the dashboard:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access server creation">
    [Sign in](https://www.latitude.sh/dashboard) to your Latitude.sh account, navigate to **Bare metal** > **Servers** in the sidebar, then click **Create server**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose hardware and operating system">
    Select a server based on your workload and location needs. If the configuration you need isn't available, the page may show **Join waitlist** or **Ask custom build**. Choose **Join waitlist** to get notified when stock is available, or **Ask custom build** to request a custom server setup. You can also [contact the team](https://www.latitude.sh/contact) directly.

    Select the Operating System. If the OS you're looking for isn't offered, you can use a [custom image](/servers/custom-images) instead.

    <Warning>
      SSH and User data are not available for some operating systems. You can list
      all operating systems and their supported features using the
      [/plans/operating\_systems
      endpoint](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/api-reference/get-plans-operating-system).
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure access and automation">
    Add SSH keys if desired. Password authentication is enabled by default and **disabled** when you deploy with an SSH key. This means the dashboard won't show the password to you after deployment. Learn more about creating and adding your SSH keys [here](/servers/ssh-keys).

    <Note>
      Latitude.sh does not provide a root password when you select one or more SSH
      keys.
    </Note>

    Optionally, select or create a **User Data script**. User data scripts run automatically on the server's first boot through the [cloud-init](https://cloud-init.io/) process. See the [Server Configuration section](/servers/user-data) for more details.

    Optionally, configure RAID. RAID configuration is available if your server and operating system support it. To enable RAID, ensure your server has at least two identical disks. Use the [/plans](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/api-reference/get-plans) endpoint to check RAID compatibility. Learn more about RAID [here](/servers/raid).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set billing and quantity">
    Select the Billing Type. For **On Demand billing**, choose between hourly and monthly when deploying an instance. See the [Billing section](/billing/on-demand-vs-reserved) for more information.

    Choose the number of servers to deploy. Select up to **5 servers** to deploy at once using the quantity selector.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy the server">
    Click **Deploy** to start the provisioning process.
  </Step>
</Steps>