Overview

Windows Server Pods on ALYPOD are provisioned from a Windows template in the ALYPOD Console — you do not need to run the Windows setup wizard yourself. This article covers deploying, connecting and the first configuration tasks.

Before you begin

• An ALYPOD account at account.alypod.com.
• A Remote Desktop client (built into Windows; Microsoft Remote Desktop on macOS/Linux).
• A strong administrator password.

Steps

1. Sign in to account.alypod.com and open the ALYPOD Console.
2. Click Deploy Pod and choose a Windows plan.
3. Select a region and a Windows Server template (for example 2019 or 2022).
4. Set the administrator password (Windows licensing is handled by ALYPOD).
5. Optionally add a cloud-init/unattend script if the template supports it.
6. Create the Pod and wait for Running.

Connecting with RDP

1. Copy the Pod's public IP from the console.
2. From a Windows client:

powershell mstsc /v:203.0.113.10

1. Log in as Administrator with the password you set.

If RDP is not reachable, open the Pod's VNC console tab to see the Windows desktop directly.

First configuration

1. Set the timezone:

powershell Set-TimeZone -Id "UTC"

1. Install updates:

powershell Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force Get-WindowsUpdate -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot

1. Enable and restrict the firewall so only your IP reaches RDP:

powershell New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "RDP-Allow-Office" -Direction Inbound ` -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3389 -RemoteAddress 198.51.100.7 -Action Allow

Security tips

• Never leave RDP exposed to the whole internet if you can whitelist your IP.
• Use long, unique administrator passwords and consider renaming the account.
• Take snapshots before major changes.

Troubleshooting

• Problem: RDP "cannot connect". Solution: confirm the Pod is running and use the VNC console to check the firewall and the TermService.
• Problem: password rejected. Solution: reset it from the console, then reboot.
• Problem: activation warning. Solution: Windows images are licensed through ALYPOD; contact support via account.alypod.com if activation fails.

Related articles

• [Windows Pods explained]
• [Using the web console and VNC]
• [Initial server hardening after installation]