Looking for faster load times and better performance for your applications? Vultr High Frequency (HF) Servers, available through the Cloudways Platform, offer cutting-edge performance with 3.8 GHz CPUs and ultra-fast NVMe SSD storage.
This article explains everything you need to know about launching, upgrading, and managing Vultr High Frequency Instances at Cloudways — whether you're deploying a new server or switching from a standard one.
Let’s explore how Vultr’s HF architecture delivers a competitive edge and how easily you can take advantage of it through Cloudways’ managed hosting.
Table of Contents:
Vultr High Frequency Compute Instances
Vultr High Frequency Instances are built for performance, combining 3.8 GHz Intel CPUs with lightning-fast NVMe SSDs to deliver exceptional speed and responsiveness.
When launched via Cloudways, these servers are easy to set up, manage, and scale for demanding web applications.
Blazing-Fast 3.8 GHz Processors
Vultr High Frequency Servers at Cloudways are equipped with powerful 3.8 GHz Intel Skylake processors, offering a significant performance boost compared to standard servers, which typically run around 2 GHz.
This higher clock speed enables faster data processing, improved script execution, and quicker page load times — making these instances ideal for high-traffic or performance-sensitive applications.
A computer’s processor clock determines how fast your CPU can retrieve and interpret instructions. Thus, 3.8 GHz CPUs benefit in speedier delivery of content due to more efficient processes and script executions.
Tip:
Clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), indicates how quickly a CPU can process instructions. A 3.8 GHz processor handles tasks significantly faster than a 2 GHz one, resulting in smoother performance and reduced latency for web applications.
Larger and Faster NVMe SSD Storage
Vultr High Frequency Instances come with high-capacity NVMe local SSD storage, offering significantly faster read/write speeds and improved I/O performance compared to standard servers that use traditional SATA SSDs.
This advanced storage architecture complements the high-speed processors, ensuring your applications benefit from faster data access, reduced latency, and quicker load times — especially during heavy workloads.
Tip:
NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) storage is much faster than traditional SATA SSDs, delivering superior performance for database operations, file transfers, and application responsiveness.
How Can I Use a Vultr High Frequency Node?
Getting started with Vultr High Frequency Servers on Cloudways is quick and easy. Whether you're launching a brand-new server or upgrading from an existing setup, the process is fully managed and user-friendly.
You have two options to leverage Vultr High Frequency Nodes:
Launch a New Vultr High Frequency Server
Deploy a fresh high-performance server with just a few clicks via the Cloudways Platform.Upgrade an Existing Standard Server to Vultr High Frequency
Migrate your current application by cloning it to a new Vultr High Frequency instance — no matter which infrastructure provider you're currently using.
Launch a New High Frequency Server
Step #1 — Accessing the Cloudways Platform:
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the side menu bar, open My Servers.
3. Then, click Add Server.
Step #2 — Launching a New Server:
Select the application you want to deploy.
Name your Application.
Next, type the name of your Server.
Select your Project.
Choose Application Stack. (Learn more about New Cloudways Lightning Stack)
Select Vultr as an infrastructure provider.
Choose your preferred database.
Choose High Frequency as the type of your node.
Next, choose the desired Server Size.
Choose your server location from the list.
Finally, click Launch Now.
Important:
Vultr High Frequency Instances are subject to availability based on region and demand. If the desired configuration isn’t available, we recommend checking other nearby locations or trying again later.
That’s it! Your Vultr High Frequency Instance will be deployed within a few minutes.
Tips:
New to Cloudways and already have a live website? You can request a free managed migration from our support team — we’ll handle everything for you.
Migrating a WordPress site? Use the free Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin to move your site quickly and safely on your own.
Once your server and application are set up, follow these quick steps to finalize your website configuration and go live.
Apply Your Domain Name to Your Application
After launching your server, you’ll need to associate your application with your domain (e.g., www.example.com).
Follow these steps:
Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
Navigate to Application Management and select your application.
Click on the Domain Management tab.
In the Primary Domain field, enter your website’s domain name (use a Fully Qualified Domain Name like
example.com).Click Save Changes to apply the domain.
Want detailed guidance? Learn how to take your site live on Cloudways.
Setting Your Site Online
Once your server is launched and your domain is applied, it’s time to take your website live. To do this, you’ll need to point your DNS records to Cloudways. This step must be completed through your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider.
Tip: For an easier and more integrated experience, consider using the DNS Made Easy add-on on Cloudways. It simplifies DNS record management and allows you to control everything from within the Cloudways Platform.
For detailed steps, go through our Knowledge Base article Learn how to use DNS Made Easy on Cloudways.
By managing your DNS through Cloudways, you can reduce complexity, minimize errors, and focus more on growing your business.
Steps to complete for your DNS Records Hosting Provider:
To make your site accessible on the web, you’ll need to configure your DNS settings by creating an A Record.
Here’s how to do it:
Log in to your DNS provider’s dashboard or control panel.
Go to the DNS Management section. (This may also be listed under Domain Settings, Name Server Management, or Advanced Settings, depending on your provider.)
Select the domain you want to connect to your Cloudways-hosted application.
In the DNS Records section, create a new A Record with the following details:
Host/Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., www or @ for the root domain).
Value: Enter your Cloudways server IP address (you can find it under Server Details in the Cloudways Platform).
TTL (Time To Live): Set this to the lowest value allowed by your DNS provider for quicker propagation.
Save your changes to apply the new DNS settings.
Your domain should now begin pointing to your Cloudways server. Keep in mind DNS changes may take some time to propagate globally.
Securing Your Site with an SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors — helping to build trust and boost security.
Cloudways offers a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, which can be easily installed in just a few steps:
Navigate to your Application Management panel on the Cloudways Platform.
Click on the SSL Certificate tab in the left-hand menu.
Under SSL Management, Let’s Encrypt is selected by default. If not, select it from the dropdown.
Enter your email address and the domain name you want to secure (e.g., example.com). To install a Wildcard SSL (to cover subdomains), refer to this guide.
Click Install Certificate.
Your SSL certificate will be applied within a few minutes. If this is your first time installing SSL, you’ll also be prompted to enable HTTPS redirection — which we recommend to ensure all traffic is securely routed.
Technical Note:
When requesting an SSL certificate, Let’s Encrypt attempts to verify your server’s IP address. If you're using services that mask or proxy your IP — such as Cloudflare, Sucuri, or other WAF/CDN providers — the verification may fail.
To avoid this issue, we recommend using a CNAME record for_acme-challenge that points to your *.cloudwaysapps.com subdomain and is not proxied through any third-party service.
Upgrade an Existing Standard Server to a Vultr High Frequency Server
If you're currently using a standard server and want to switch to a Vultr High Frequency instance, the upgrade is done through server cloning. This applies whether you're already on Vultr or using another infrastructure provider.
Cloning creates an identical copy of your server — including applications and settings — and deploys it on a new Vultr High Frequency server.
Important: Since cloning creates a new server, it will have a different IP address. After the upgrade, you must update your DNS records to point to the new server to keep your site accessible.
Note: If you delete and later recover a server, it will be assigned a new IP address as the original IP is released for reassignment. Similarly, downscaling that involves cloning will result in a new IP address since the server setup is reconstructed. Be prepared to update DNS records accordingly.
Hosting providers like Vultr may require cloning due to upstream changes such as IP address pool retirements. Cloning provides a seamless way to maintain functionality when these changes occur.
Step #1 — Selecting the Desired Server:
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the top menu bar, open Servers.
Then, select your desired server. (The process is similar to the 'Add server')
Click ⋮ and click Clone Server.
5. You will be prompted for the server cloning. Cover all the following details and click Proceed.
Step #2 — Launch Cloning Process
Select Vultr as your infrastructure provider.
Choose High Frequency as the type of your node.
Next, select your desired Server Size.
Select your server location.
Finally, click the Clone Server.
Note:
Please note that the High Frequency Instances (like all other instances) are subjected to availability from Vultr or the respective provider.
That’s it! Your Vultr High Frequency Instance will be cloned and deployed within a few minutes.
The cloning process creates an exact copy of your server’s contents, including applications and data — but it does not transfer platform-level configurations or custom settings. Before taking a cloned server live, applications and services should be rigorously tested to confirm proper functionality. Vultr allows testing using the default server URLs, ensuring any issues are resolved before switching DNS settings.
After the cloning is complete, you’ll need to perform a few final steps to bring your site fully online from the new server: When a server is cloned, it automatically receives a new IP address because it is treated as a new instance by the system.
This ensures each server's individuality within the network. Always update your DNS configuration and any IP-dependent connections to reflect this new IP address.
FAQs
Can I scale directly from a Standard Vultr Server to a High Frequency Server?
No, direct vertical scaling between Vultr Standard and High Frequency instances is not supported. However, you can achieve the same result by cloning your server to the desired instance type. Cloning also adds flexibility for scenarios where downgrading resources is needed, as this operation typically requires a new instance to meet specific requirements.
Will my IP address stay the same after cloning to a Vultr High Frequency server?
No. When you clone a server, a new IP address is assigned to the cloned instance. After cloning, you must update your DNS records to point to the new IP. Additionally, server IP addresses remain static during operations like restarts, scaling up, or resource downgrades as long as cloning is not involved. This stability simplifies server management for users.
Why is the Vultr High Frequency server size I want unavailable in my selected region?
Vultr High Frequency servers are in high demand and availability can vary by region. If your preferred configuration isn’t available:
Try selecting a nearby region
Or temporarily choose a different server type that meets your performance needs until availability is restored
Cloudways has no control over Vultr's regional server inventory, which is managed by Vultr directly.
That’s it! We hope this article was useful.
Need Help?
If you need assistance, feel free to:
Visit the Cloudways Support Center
Chat with us: Need a Hand > Send us a Message
Or create a support ticket anytime.
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