Introduction
To create an E2E Compute Node, you'll require an E2E MyAccount. If you don't have one, you can create it from the E2E Networks account sign-up page here. The E2E Networks MyAccount portal offers access to and management of your E2E Nodes through a simple and intuitive web-based user interface.
Additionally, you can also use the E2E Networks API here to programmatically perform various actions for your Nodes. Before starting, please ensure that you have created your API token using E2E MyAccount.
Getting Started
- Go to MyAccount and log in using your credentials.
- After logging in, click on Nodes under the Compute section in the left sidebar.
- If you have no nodes yet, an introductory banner is displayed on the page.
- Click the Get Started button on the banner to directly open the node creation form.
If you already have existing nodes, refer to Manage Nodes to add a new node using the Add New Node button.
Step 1: Select an Operating System
On the Select OS page, choose the operating system for your node. Use the tabs at the top to filter by category:
| Tab | Description |
|---|---|
| GPU | Operating systems optimized for GPU-accelerated workloads |
| CPU | Standard operating systems for general-purpose CPU nodes |
| Marketplace | Pre-configured application stacks and third-party images |
Available Operating Systems (CPU)
| Operating System | Versions Available |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu | 5 |
| RockyLinux | 2 |
| AlmaLinux | 3 |
| CentOS | 2 |
| Debian | 3 |
| OpenSUSE | 1 |
| RedHat | 2 |
| Windows | 3 |
| SQLWEB | 1 |
| SQLSTANDARD | 1 |
Click the search icon (top-right of the OS grid) to filter OS options by name. Click your desired OS tile to proceed.
Once a node is launched, the operating system cannot be changed. Ensure you select the correct OS before proceeding.
Step 2: Select a Plan
After selecting an OS, you are taken to the Select Plan page. All configuration options — instance type, pricing, backup, security, networking, and storage — are available on this single page, with a live Summary panel on the right reflecting your choices.
OS Version
Your selected OS is shown at the top with a Version dropdown. Select the specific version you require (for example, Ubuntu 24.04).
OS versions cannot be changed after the node is created. Verify your version selection before launching.
Category
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Linux Virtual Node | Virtualized Linux compute instances for general-purpose workloads |
| Linux Smart Dedicated Compute | Dedicated Linux nodes for performance-intensive and compliance-driven workloads |
Instance Type
| Instance Type | Description |
|---|---|
| C3 – CPU Intensive 3rd Generation | High-performance instances using the latest Intel processors; optimized for compute-heavy workloads with high IOPS |
| E1 – Extensive 1st Generation | Cost-effective instances for development, testing, and light applications |
| M3 – High Memory 3rd Generation | Memory-optimized instances ideal for databases, caching, and memory-intensive applications |
The instance type determines the underlying hardware family. Downgrading to a lower instance type after launch may not be supported for all plans.
Plan
Use the Plan dropdown to select the CPU, RAM, storage, and IOPS configuration. Plans are displayed in the format:
<vCPU count> vCPU – <RAM> GB – <Disk Size> SSD – R: <Read IOPS> / W: <Write IOPS>
Example: 4 vCPU – 8 GB – 100 GB SSD – R: 16000 / W: 8000
Plan storage is the root disk of your node. To add more storage, attach a separate Volume in the Volume section below.
Instance Pricing
Select a billing model. Committed plans offer savings over On-Demand pricing:
| Pricing Model | Savings |
|---|---|
| On-Demand | Pay hourly; no commitment |
| 1 Month Savings Plan | — |
| 3 Month Savings Plan | Save 10.01% |
| 6 Month Savings Plan | Save 15.00% |
| 12 Month Savings Plan | Save 20.00% |
| 36 Month Savings Plan | Save 40.00% |
Committed plans are prepaid and non-refundable. Carefully review the term length before selecting a Savings Plan.
Powering off a node does not stop billing. You will continue to be charged until the node is terminated.
Backup
Backup is enabled by default and is recommended for all production nodes.
Backup retention policy:
- The last 12 backups taken every 6 hours
- The last backup of each of the past 14 days (last backup before midnight)
- The last Saturday backup for the previous 4 weeks
- The last backup of the last day of each calendar month
Check Do you want to apply encryption? to encrypt backup data at rest.
You can modify the backup schedule after the node is created from the node settings page.
Backup encryption, once enabled, cannot be disabled. Ensure this is the intended configuration before proceeding.
Network
Configure the network settings for your node.
| Option | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Use VPC | Recommended | Assigns a private IP for secure communication within a defined VPC range |
| Reserve IPv4 | Optional | Uses a pre-reserved static public IP as the node's default public IP |
Use VPC is recommended for workloads that require private network communication between nodes. VPC usage may incur additional charges. Refer to VPC Plan & Pricing for details.
When launching multiple nodes simultaneously, a Reserved IPv4 address cannot be attached to all nodes at once. Attach it individually to each node after creation.
Security Group
A security group acts as a virtual firewall that controls inbound and outbound traffic to your node.
- The default security group for your project is pre-selected.
- Use the dropdown to choose a different security group.
- Click + Create New to define a new security group without leaving the creation flow.
An incorrectly configured security group can block access to your node, including SSH. Ensure your security group allows inbound traffic on port 22 (SSH) or 3389 (RDP for Windows) before launching.
SSH Keys
SSH keys are recommended to restrict node access exclusively to authorized users.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Select SSH keys dropdown | Attach one or more existing SSH keys |
| + Add New button | Create and register a new SSH key pair |
| Disable Password-based SSH login checkbox | Removes password-based remote access; node can only be accessed via SSH key |
If you enable Disable Password-based SSH login and lose your private key, you will be permanently locked out of the node with no recovery option.
SSH key-based login is not applicable for Windows nodes. Windows nodes use RDP with password-based authentication.
By default, password-based SSH login is enabled on all newly launched E2E Nodes.
Volume
Attach an additional block storage volume to your node at launch.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Choose a volume dropdown | Select an existing volume in the Available state |
| Refresh icon | Refresh the volume list |
| + Create New button | Create a new volume without leaving the creation flow |
Only volumes in the Available state can be attached. If a volume is not yet ready, you can attach it later from the Manage Node page after the node is in a Powered-Off state.
When launching multiple nodes simultaneously (No. of nodes > 1), a volume cannot be attached to all nodes at once. You must attach it individually to each node after they are created.
Advanced Settings
Expand Advanced Settings to configure optional network and security features:
| Option | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Enable BitNinja | Recommended | Modular security tool that protects your node against a wide range of cyber-attacks |
| Enable Encryption | Optional | Enables encryption at rest for the node's disk |
| IPv6 | Optional | Assigns an IPv6 address as the node's default public IP |
| Add Start Script | Optional | A shell script executed every time the node starts or reboots |
Encryption, once enabled at the time of node creation, cannot be disabled. This applies to the node's root disk and is permanent for the lifetime of the node.
A Start Script runs as root every time the node boots. Ensure your script is idempotent (safe to run multiple times) to avoid unintended side effects on reboots.
Summary Panel
The Summary panel on the right updates in real time as you configure your node:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Node name | Auto-generated name (editable) |
| No. of nodes | Number of identical nodes to launch simultaneously |
| OS / Version | Selected operating system and version |
| Instance Type | Selected instance family |
| Configuration | vCPU count and RAM |
| Backup | Enabled / Disabled |
| Security Group | Attached security group name |
| Password-based SSH | Enabled / Disabled |
| Volume | Attached volume name, or "Not selected" |
| Estimated Total Cost | Calculated cost based on selected plan and pricing model |
Review the Estimated Total Cost in the Summary panel carefully before clicking Launch. Charges begin as soon as the node is provisioned.
Launching the Node
Once you have reviewed all settings, click the Launch button at the bottom of the page.
- Node provisioning begins immediately.
- You will be redirected to the Manage Nodes page.
- A notification email with login credentials will be sent to your registered email address.
It may take a few minutes for the node to reach the Running state. Do not close the browser or navigate away during provisioning.
You can also create an image of your node to replicate or upgrade configuration from saved images.
How to Get Node Password
After creating your node, you will receive an email with a secure password retrieval link. Click the link to obtain your password.
The password retrieval link expires in 7 days. If the link expires, you will need to reset your password from the node's security settings in MyAccount.
Related Resources
| Category | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Node Management | Manage Nodes | View, control, and manage your existing nodes |
| Node Snapshots | Capture point-in-time snapshots of your node | |
| Custom Images | Import and use custom OS images | |
| Linux Login | Connect to your Linux node via SSH | |
| Windows Login | Connect to your Windows node via RDP | |
| Security | SSH Key Management | Add and manage SSH key pairs |
| Enable/Disable Password-based SSH | Toggle password authentication for SSH access | |
| Security Groups | Configure inbound and outbound traffic rules | |
| BitNinja | Enable server-level cyber-attack protection | |
| Node Encryption | Enable encryption at rest for your node | |
| Networking | VPC Overview | Set up private network communication between nodes |
| Reserve IP | Allocate and attach a static public IP | |
| Storage | Block Storage (Volumes) | Attach additional persistent storage to your node |