Operating systems

Updated 2026-10-30

Wolkra cloud servers run Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS Stream, Fedora or MikroTik CHR, and each one is ready to log in to moments after you create the server. You log in with SSH keys or an emailed root password, and cloud-init lets you configure the server on first boot.

Available images

The console lists the versions available for each distribution when you create a server.

One-click apps

If you want software ready to use, start from a one-click app instead of a bare image. Options include Docker CE with Compose, WordPress, n8n, Coolify, WireGuard VPN, GitLab CE and OpenClaw. The app is ready a few minutes after the server boots.

Access: SSH keys or root password

• SSH keys: add your public key to the account once and select it for each new server. This is the recommended way. The SSH keys guide shows how to create one.
• Root password by email: if you add no key, a root password is sent to you by email. Change it after first login, or add a key and disable password login.
• Browser console: a VNC console in the browser gives you a login screen even when the network config is broken.

cloud-init user data

cloud-init runs on first boot and turns a fresh image into a configured server. Paste user data when you create a server:

#cloud-config
package_update: true
packages:
  - nginx
  - ufw
users:
  - name: deploy
    groups: sudo
    shell: /bin/bash
    ssh_authorized_keys:
      - ssh-ed25519 AAAA... you@laptop
runcmd:
  - ufw allow OpenSSH
  - ufw allow 'Nginx Full'
  - ufw --force enable

The same user data works when you create servers through the API, which makes repeatable builds easy.

Rebuild and rescue

Rebuild reinstalls a server with a different image while keeping its plan and IP addresses. It erases the disk, so take a snapshot first if there is anything to keep.

Rescue mode boots a recovery system so you can mount the disk and repair a server that no longer starts.

Your own images from snapshots

Configure a server the way you like it, take a snapshot, and create new servers from that snapshot. It is a simple way to keep a golden image for your team.

Choosing a distribution

• New to servers? Pick Ubuntu. Most guides, including our first steps on a new VPS and securing an Ubuntu server, use it.
• Want the fewest surprises over years? Pick Debian.
• Running software built for enterprise Linux? Pick AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux.
• Building a router or VPN gateway? Pick MikroTik CHR.

Keeping the system up to date

Whatever you choose, plan for updates from day one. On Ubuntu and Debian, unattended security upgrades are a sensible default. On AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream, automatic updates can be set up with the distribution's own tools. Take a snapshot before a major version upgrade, so you can go back in minutes if something breaks. When a release reaches the end of its support life, the cleanest path is usually a new server on the current release, a move of your data, and a switch of the floating IP or DNS.

Limits to know

• The images offered are the ones listed above, plus your own snapshots.
• Rebuilding erases the server's disk.
• All servers run on KVM in Frankfurt. See KVM VPS and Linux VPS for more.

Related pages

• Cloud servers
• One-click apps
• Create a server and connect with SSH

Pick your OS and go

Choose a distribution, add your SSH key and log in a minute later. Sign up for Wolkra.