Create a security group

A security group is a name and a set of rules. Once it exists, you can attach it to a node, autoscale group, Kubernetes cluster, load balancer, or database. You can also make it the default for new nodes.

Before you begin

• A MyAccount account.
• An idea of the traffic you want to allow, such as SSH from your office or HTTPS from anyone. Add or edit rules explains each part of a rule.

Create the security group

1. Open Network > Security Group and click Create Security Group.
2. Enter a Security Group Name of up to 50 characters, using letters, digits, underscores, and hyphens.
3. (Optional) Enter a Description of up to 256 characters, so you remember what the group is for.
4. Add at least one inbound rule and at least one outbound rule. For each, choose the Protocol, the Port Range, and the Source IPv4/Network. Use + Add Inbound Rule and + Add Outbound Rule for more.
5. (Optional) To use this group for new nodes in this project and region, turn Make this group default on.
6. Click Create Group.

The group appears in the security group list, ready to attach. You can change its name and description later on the group’s Info tab.

The group’s rules apply once it is on a resource, so next, attach it to a node. Each error a rule can get is explained in Troubleshooting Security Group.