---
title: "Create a Virtual Machine"
description: >-
  Step-by-step guide to launch a TIR Virtual Machine, configure storage and SSH keys, and connect via SSH.
---

# Create a Virtual Machine

> Launch a full OS virtual machine on TIR infrastructure, configure your SSH keys and startup scripts, and connect via a reserved IP — in under 5 minutes.

---

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Details |
|-------------|---------|
| **Active TIR account** | Access to the [TIR Cloud Portal](https://tir.e2enetworks.com/) |
| **Sufficient credits** | On-Demand VMs are billed per minute; ensure credits are loaded |
| **SSH key pair** | A public/private key pair for SSH access. See [SSH Key Management](/docs/tir/GettingStarted/Security/SSH_Key/) |
| **Security Group** | A Security Group with **port 22 open** must be attached to allow SSH. See [Security Groups](/docs/tir/network/Security_Group/) |

---

## Step 1: Navigate to Virtual Machines

1. Log in to the [TIR Cloud Portal](https://tir.e2enetworks.com/).
2. Select your **Project** from the left-hand sidebar.
3. Under the **Compute**, click **Virtual Machines**.

---

## Step 2: Configure Compute Resources

### VM Name

Enter a name for your VM (e.g. `my-vm`). The name is auto-generated but can be changed to something memorable for easy identification.

### Select Computing Resource

TIR VMs support three types of compute resources. Choose the tab that matches your workload:

#### GPU

Select a GPU plan to run GPU-accelerated workloads directly on your VM.


#### CPU

Select a CPU plan for general-purpose or CPU-intensive workloads. Choose an instance family (e.g. **C3** — High-performance CPU instances), then pick a **Configuration** (e.g. 4 vCPUs – 8 GB RAM) from the dropdown.

#### Private Cluster

Select **Private Cluster** to launch your VM on a dedicated private cluster.

### Instance Pricing

Multiple pricing plans are available, including On-Demand (pay per hour) and Savings Plans with discounts for longer commitments. Pricing is displayed on-screen once you select a configuration.

---

## Step 3: Configure Storage

Set the size of your VM's persistent workspace disk:

- **First 30 GB is free**, then **₹5 per GB/month** for additional storage.
- Storage is available at **`/`** and **persists across restarts**.
- **Storage cannot be reduced once allocated** — size can only be increased.
- Range: **30 GB** (minimum, free) up to **15 TB**.

:::warning
Your workspace disk is automatically deleted when the VM is deleted. Back up any important data before deletion.
:::

---

## Step 4: Network & SSH

### SSH Key

Select an existing SSH key from the dropdown, or create a new one. If you create a new key, the **private key (.pem)** is downloaded immediately — store it securely, as it cannot be re-downloaded.

> Your public key is injected into the VM at first boot. You can add or rotate keys later without restarting — see [Connect via SSH](/docs/tir/VirtualMachines/vm-connect#add-or-rotate-ssh-keys).

### Security Group

Attach a Security Group with **port 22 (SSH) open** as an inbound rule. Without this, SSH connections will be blocked.

---

## Step 5: Advanced Settings *(Optional)*

| Setting | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Startup Scripts** | Shell scripts that run automatically on every VM boot. Use these to install packages, configure the environment, or start services. |
| **Datasets** | Attach Dataset volumes. They are mounted inside the VM at `/datasets`. |
| **Shared File System (SFS)** | Mount an existing Shared File System onto the VM. [Create one here](/docs/tir/sfs/QuickStart/) if you don't have one yet. |
| **Reserve Static IP Address** | Assign a reserved static IP to the VM. [Create a reserved IP](/docs/tir/network/Reserve_IP/) if needed. |

---

## Step 6: Launch

Review your configuration and click **Launch VM**.

> The VM takes approximately **2–3 minutes** to boot. SSH becomes available once the status changes to **Running**.

You can track the boot progress from the **VM Details** page. The status changes from **Waiting → Running** once the VM is fully ready.

---

## Step 7: Connect via SSH

Once the VM status shows **Running**, connect using the Reserved IP or the IP shown in the VM details.

```bash
ssh root@<VM_IP_ADDRESS>
```

**Example:**

```bash
ssh root@203.0.113.42
```

:::tip
The default username is `root` for all TIR VM images.
:::

For detailed SSH setup, key rotation, and troubleshooting, see [Connect via SSH](/docs/tir/VirtualMachines/vm-connect).



---