# Frequently asked questions The short answers about the relaunch. Anything else, email us. ## When can I order? Now. Pick a size on the [plans page](https://rack4.io/plans) and order it from the panel at my.rack4.io. [What happens when you order](https://rack4.io/help/what-happens-when-you-order) walks through the steps. ## Where are the servers? In New York, United States. It's our only location: every server and its IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are there. (IPv6 once our allocation is approved) ## How much will it cost? Prices are on the [plans page](https://rack4.io/plans), in US dollars. There's no setup fee, and every plan includes an IPv4 and an IPv6 address (IPv6 once our allocation is approved). ## Can I pay yearly? Yes. You can pay month to month or for 12 months at a time; the monthly and yearly prices are both on the [plans page](https://rack4.io/plans). A yearly term renews for another 12 months unless you cancel. Cancelling stops the next renewal, and the server runs until the end of the year you paid for; the unused part isn't refunded, except under the 14-day money-back guarantee, which covers a first yearly order in full. See [cancel a server](https://rack4.io/help/cancel-a-server). ## How does monthly transfer work? Each plan includes a monthly transfer allowance (2, 4 or 8 TB). Traffic in both directions counts, and the count starts again on the first of each month (UTC). Your server page shows how much you've used, and a transfer pack [add-on](https://rack4.io/help/add-ons) raises the allowance. There are no overage fees: if a server goes over, we email you and ask you to add a transfer pack or move to a larger plan, and we won't slow down or suspend it for transfer without contacting you and giving you at least 7 days to respond ([Terms of Service](https://rack4.io/terms#transfer)). You can also set a [transfer alert](https://rack4.io/help/notifications-and-alerts) in the panel. ## What virtualization do you use? KVM. Your server runs its own kernel and behaves like real hardware, so Docker, WireGuard and your own kernel modules work as they would on a physical machine. vCPUs are shared, not dedicated cores: each one is a thread on the host's processor, scheduled alongside other servers, so you get its full speed when the host is quiet and take turns when it's busy. ## Which operating systems can I install? Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, Fedora and Arch Linux, from each project's official cloud image: the full list with versions is on the [operating systems page](https://rack4.io/os). There's a [serial console](https://rack4.io/help/serial-console) in your browser for when SSH won't let you in, and you can reinstall at any time. Not sure? [Choose a distribution](https://rack4.io/help/choose-a-distribution). ## Can you install software for me? Yes: pick one of 28 [one-click apps](https://rack4.io/apps) when you order, such as Docker, WordPress, Coolify or WireGuard, and it's installed on the first boot. You can also add packages or your own [setup script](https://rack4.io/help/setup-scripts). ## Do I get IPv6? Yes, as part of every plan. IPv6 is part of every plan, but our IPv6 allocation is still being approved: until it's in place, servers have an IPv4 address only. Once it is, a new server gets its IPv6 address set up on the first boot ([check that IPv6 works](https://rack4.io/help/ipv6-setup)). ## Is Rack4 managed hosting? No, it's self-managed. You get root and run the server yourself: system updates, security, the software you install and copies of your data are yours to look after (off-site backups are an optional add-on). We look after the hardware, the network and the platform, and support tickets go to the people who operate it. The [Terms of Service](https://rack4.io/terms) set out who looks after what. ## Do you back up my server? Backups are optional. You can add daily, encrypted [off-site backups](https://rack4.io/help/off-site-backups) of the whole disk for an extra charge, priced per plan ([plans page](https://rack4.io/plans#addons)); they're kept with another storage company, and you can restore one to the same server or into a new one. [Snapshots](https://rack4.io/help/snapshots) stay on the server's host and help undo a change; they're deleted with the server and don't replace backups. Keep separate copies of important data and database dumps as well: [Back up your server](https://rack4.io/help/backups-you-should-run) shows how. ## Can I add memory, disk or IPv4 addresses later? Yes, as [add-ons](https://rack4.io/help/add-ons): extra RAM, vCPUs, NVMe disk, transfer and IPv4 addresses, up to a limit for each plan. Choose them when you order or later from the server's page; they're billed for the same term as the server, and RAM and vCPU changes need a restart. Their prices are on the [plans page](https://rack4.io/plans#addons). If you outgrow the limits, order a bigger plan and move across: [Choosing a plan](https://rack4.io/help/choosing-a-plan) walks through it. ## Is there an API and a command-line tool? Yes. The REST API covers servers, firewalls, snapshots, SSH keys, reverse DNS and invoices, with tokens you can revoke one by one ([API quickstart](https://rack4.io/help/api-quickstart)). The rack4 command-line tool uses the same API ([install rack4](https://rack4.io/help/install-the-rack4-cli)). ## What happens if I miss a renewal? The renewal invoice arrives 7 days before your paid period ends, with reminders after that. If it's still unpaid 3 days after the due date, the server is suspended, and 14 days after the due date the server and its disk are deleted. [Unpaid renewals](https://rack4.io/help/unpaid-renewal) has the full timeline. ## Is there a refund policy? Yes, a 14-day [money-back guarantee](https://rack4.io/help/money-back-guarantee): ask within 14 days of paying for your first order. Accounts suspended for abuse are not refunded. ## How can I pay? Bitcoin or USDT (TRC-20), monthly or yearly. Bitcoin and USDT go through our own self-hosted BTCPay Server: Bitcoin on-chain (not Lightning), and USDT on the Tron network (TRC-20) only. See [payment methods](https://rack4.io/help/payment-methods), [paying with USDT](https://rack4.io/help/pay-with-usdt) and [Bitcoin VPS](https://rack4.io/bitcoin-vps). ## Can I send email from my server? Outbound port 25 is blocked by default on new servers, to keep spam off the addresses everyone here shares. Most apps can send through a mail service on port 587 or 465 instead. If you run a real mail server, open a support ticket; we review it and open port 25 for that server. See [sending email](https://rack4.io/help/open-port-25). ## What am I allowed to run? Anything lawful that doesn't harm others or our network. Spam, attacks, mining and a few other things are not allowed: see the [Acceptable Use Policy](https://rack4.io/aup) and the [Terms of Service](https://rack4.io/terms). ## Who runs Rack4? Rack4 is operated by Tekari LLC. Questions go to [hello@rack4.io](mailto:hello@rack4.io), or to a support ticket in the panel once you have an account. Support tickets go to the people who operate the platform. Abuse reports go to [abuse@rack4.io](mailto:abuse@rack4.io).