> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dvt-homestaker.stakesaurus.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dvt-homestaker.stakesaurus.com/hardware-and-systems-setup/practicing-for-free-on-cloud-vms/alibaba-cloud.md).

# Alibaba Cloud

## Creating an account

1\) Go to [Alibaba Cloud website](https://www.alibabacloud.com/en?_p_lc=1)

2\) Click on **"Free Trial"** in the top right corner

3\) Select **"Individual Account"**

4\) Enter your Email address and set your password

5\) Select your country/region and enter your phone number. Then, request for a verification code and enter the verification code sent to your phone number

6\) Select **"Individual Account"** again, fill in your billing information, verify your email address, and then submit the form

7\) Add your credit card details. **Note:** You will not be billed if you only select products within the **Free Tier**

8\) Once you have successfully created an account, click on **"Free Trial"**

<figure><img src="https://1628445806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoML8XLjdWBoYbtGBoQ9R%2Fuploads%2F6YLSBGhSQw5oUM3E9MJ0%2FScreenshot%202025-03-28%20at%205.13.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=8d063b38-ac62-45a5-a1bb-81b0a2df798a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Spin up your free VM

1\) Under the **Free Trial** page, scroll down and look for the **ECS u1 Instance.** You will be able to run one of this instance for free for 3 months.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://1628445806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoML8XLjdWBoYbtGBoQ9R%2Fuploads%2Fs2uCLiOsrm0lCLdcgNZB%2FScreenshot%202025-03-28%20at%206.08.30%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=44297151-a40f-442e-b194-bef70710d3ea" alt="" width="342"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
However, as the size is too small even for a testnet validator node, you can only practice the configuration steps without actually running the services using this.
{% endhint %}