# How to Host WordPress on RackNerd with xCloud

> Host WordPress on RackNerd with xCloud: reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, connect the server through Other Providers, create the site, point DNS, add SSL.

You can **host WordPress on RackNerd with xCloud** by creating a clean Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server at RackNerd, connecting it through xCloud's **Other Providers** option, and then creating a WordPress site on the provisioned server. This guide covers the complete path from the provider setup to a working WordPress installation.

> **Important:** xCloud provisioning is designed for a fresh server. Do not connect a server that already hosts websites, a database, or another server-management stack.

## Prerequisites
- An active RackNerd VPS or cloud server
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64 installed on a fresh server
- At least 1 GB of RAM
- The server's public IPv4 address
- Root-level SSH access through a password or public key
- Inbound TCP ports 22, 80, and 443 open
- An [xCloud account](https://app.xcloud.host/)
- A domain you can point to the new site

### Prepare a RackNerd VPS

RackNerd manages VPS operating-system reinstalls through SolusVM. Start with a clean **Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64** installation if that image is available for your service.
1. Open the RackNerd welcome email and locate the SolusVM control-panel credentials, VPS IP address, and root login details.
2. Sign in to the RackNerd SolusVM panel at the address supplied in the welcome email.
3. Select the VPS and use **Reinstall** to choose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64.
4. Wait for the reinstall to finish before opening an SSH session.
5. Confirm that you can connect as `root` and that inbound TCP ports **22**, **80**, and **443** are reachable.

Reinstalling deletes the VPS contents. Use a new server or back up anything you need before starting. RackNerd's knowledge base states that operating-system reinstall is handled in SolusVM and that the SolusVM login is provided in the welcome email.

## Connect the RackNerd server to xCloud

### Step 1: Select Other Providers

Sign in to xCloud, start the add-server flow, and select **Other Providers**. This option connects an existing fresh server that xCloud does not create through a native provider integration.

![Selecting Other Providers in the xCloud add-server flow](/_landing/docs/how-to-set-up-server-with-other-providers-select-other-provider.png)

**Expected result:** xCloud opens the form for connecting an existing server.

### Step 2: Enter the server details

Enter a clear server name, select the nearest location, and provide the public IPv4 address. Choose the web server stack you want to use, such as NGINX or OpenLiteSpeed.

RackNerd sends VPS and SolusVM credentials in the welcome email. Keep that message available before you reinstall or connect the server.

### Step 3: Choose an SSH authentication method

Use either the **password** or **public key** method. The account must give xCloud root-level access to install and configure the web stack.

![The connect-existing-server form in xCloud with the password authentication method selected](/_landing/docs/how-to-set-up-server-with-other-providers-connect-existing-fresh-server-with-password-method.png.png)
- **Password method:** Enter the root password for a server that permits root SSH login.
- **Public-key method:** Follow the key instructions in the xCloud form and authorize the supplied key for the root account.

Never paste a private SSH key into a form. A public key can be shared; a private key must remain on the system that created it.

**Expected result:** xCloud accepts the connection details and lets you begin provisioning.

### Step 4: Start provisioning

Review the server IP, authentication method, database choice, and web server stack. Submit the form once the values are correct.

![xCloud provisioning the connected server](/_landing/docs/how-to-set-up-server-with-other-providers-server-setup-in-progress.png)

Provisioning commonly takes several minutes. Leave the server powered on and do not install packages or change firewall rules while xCloud is configuring it.

**Expected result:** The server status changes to ready in xCloud.

## Create the WordPress site

### Step 5: Choose a WordPress installation

Open the connected server in xCloud, select **Add New Site**, and choose **Install New WordPress Website**.

![Choosing Install New WordPress Website in xCloud](/_landing/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud-image-31.png)

**Expected result:** xCloud opens the WordPress site-creation form for the RackNerd server.

### Step 6: Select a temporary or live domain

Choose **Go Live** when your domain is ready, or use a demo domain while you prepare the site. For a live domain, enter the domain name you will point to this server.

![Choosing a demo domain or Go Live with a custom domain](/_landing/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud-image-32.png)

**Expected result:** The form displays the domain and WordPress configuration fields.

### Step 7: Configure WordPress and create the site

Enter the site title and WordPress administrator details. Select the preferred PHP version and any available site options, then click **Create Site**.

![The WordPress site configuration form in xCloud](/_landing/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud-image-33.png)

xCloud now installs WordPress and configures the selected web stack.

![xCloud installing WordPress on the server](/_landing/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud-image-36.png)

**Expected result:** xCloud marks the site as ready and provides access to the site dashboard.

### Step 8: Point the domain to the server

At your DNS provider, create or update the domain's `A` record so it points to the RackNerd server's public IPv4 address. Remove conflicting `A` or `AAAA` records if they direct the hostname elsewhere.

DNS changes can take time to propagate. Once the domain resolves to the server, use xCloud to issue SSL and confirm that the site loads over HTTPS.

## Verify the installation

You know the setup worked when:
- The RackNerd server shows as ready in xCloud.
- The WordPress site shows as active.
- The domain resolves to the server IP.
- The site loads over HTTPS.
- You can sign in to WordPress admin with the account created in step 7.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| xCloud cannot connect over SSH | Port 22 is blocked, the IP is wrong, or the account lacks root access | Recheck the provider firewall, server IP, and root authentication method |
| Provisioning stops before the web stack is ready | The server is not fresh or another control panel is installed | Reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64 and reconnect the clean server |
| The domain does not open the new site | DNS still points elsewhere or has not propagated | Verify the `A` record and remove conflicting records |
| SSL cannot be issued | The domain does not resolve to this server, or port 80/443 is blocked | Correct DNS and allow inbound TCP 80 and 443 |
| The server was reachable before a firewall change | A deny-by-default policy was enabled without all required allow rules | Restore inbound access for TCP 22, 80, and 443 |

## Common mistakes
- Connecting a VPS that already hosts production data
- Choosing Debian, Windows, or an application image instead of fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64
- Closing SSH port 22 before xCloud finishes provisioning
- Entering a private SSH key instead of authorizing a public key
- Updating DNS before recording the old values and planning rollback

## Next steps
- [Connect an Ubuntu server from any provider](/docs/how-to-set-up-server-with-other-providers/)
- [Set up your first server and site with xCloud](/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud/)
- [Configure WordPress site email](/docs/setting-up-site-emails-for-wordpress-on-xcloud/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the server need to be brand new?

Yes. xCloud provisioning expects a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server. Reinstall the operating system at RackNerd before connecting it, and never connect a server that already hosts websites, a database, or another control panel.

### Which ports must be open?

Inbound TCP 22, 80 and 443. xCloud connects over SSH on port 22 to provision the server, and ports 80 and 443 are required for the site and for SSL issuance.

### Do I paste my private SSH key into xCloud?

No. With the public-key method you authorize the public key xCloud shows you on the server's root account. A private key must stay on the system that created it.

## Sources
- [RackNerd: Reinstall an operating system](https://my.racknerd.com/index.php?rp=/knowledgebase/16/How-to-reinstall-operating-system.html)
- [RackNerd: Find VPS root or control-panel credentials](https://my.racknerd.com/index.php?rp=/knowledgebase/30/What-is-my-VPS-root-or-control-panel-login-credentials.html)
- [xCloud: Connect a fresh Ubuntu server from another provider](/docs/how-to-set-up-server-with-other-providers/)
- [xCloud: Set up your first server and site](/docs/setup-your-first-server-site-with-xcloud/)

If you run into any issues connecting your RackNerd server, feel free to reach out to our [support team](/docs/access-built-in-support-portal-in-xcloud/) for help.