# Hardware / Cloud considerations for a relay

**URL:** <https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164>\
**Category:** Operate a Stake Pool\
**Created:** [24 August 2020 21:56 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164 "2020-08-24T21:56:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/chihuahua/32/21279_2.png) [@Chihuahua](https://forum.cardano.org/u/Chihuahua)\
**Post date:** [24 August 2020 21:56 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164/1 "2020-08-24T21:56:18Z")

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Hello My Cardano-naut brothers and sisters. I’m late to the game setting up a node so hopefully this isn’t too noob.

Setting up a machine at home as a block producer and wondering what to do for a relay? Any suggestions in terms of running a second machine at home versus an AWS type of system for a relay. If running a machine at home what kind of specs on a relay recommended and same on the AWS side.

Thank you for your help,

The Chihuahua, woof.

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**Author:** ![lauris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/lauris/32/37129_2.png) [@lauris](https://forum.cardano.org/u/lauris)\
**Post date:** [25 August 2020 07:22 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164/2 "2020-08-25T07:22:41Z")

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hi,

so, there are pros and cons in both setups, but i can share my experience as i have been managing linux systems for more than 15 years now.

for testing i’m usually using local servers, as i don’t worry much about internet speed (and reliability / backup links), hardware failures, electricity failures… but when i’m setting up a production server, i would go with a VPS (either on DigitalOcean, AWS or GCP) as these platforms give me:

- **Scalability** (i can downgrade / upgrade in no-time, add more servers, add more space, add more memory)
- out of the box **backup** solutions
- **Fast and reliable internet** connection (usually \> 1Gbit)
- **No unexpected expenses** (hardware failure, extra space, hardware upgrades)
- **Regional presence** (i can always start a server which is closer to my customers, or to have a global presence, i can start servers in different regions)
- extra features (load balancing, firewall, monitoring tools, shared spaces, console login from anywhere, etc)

so, i wold go with a VPS with minimum 2vCPU 4GB. 4vCPU 8GB should be enough for current needs.

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**Author:** ![lauris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/lauris/32/37129_2.png) [@lauris](https://forum.cardano.org/u/lauris)\
**Post date:** [25 August 2020 07:27 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164/3 "2020-08-25T07:27:31Z")

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FYI:

- Google Cloud Platform gives 300 USD (1 year) credit to try their Google Cloud services, which should be enough for you to test the solution.
- Digital Ocean gives 100USD (60day) credit for new users

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**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/chihuahua/32/21279_2.png) [@Chihuahua](https://forum.cardano.org/u/Chihuahua)\
**Post date:** [25 August 2020 14:28 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/hardware-cloud-considerations-for-a-relay/39164/4 "2020-08-25T14:28:44Z")

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Thank you Lauris! I appreciate the feedback immensely.