1. Instance Connectivity Issues

Understanding the Issue

Users may experience difficulties connecting to their Scaleway instances via SSH, encountering errors such as “Permission denied (publickey)” or “Remote host identification has changed.”

Root Causes

  • Incorrect SSH key configuration.
  • Changes in the instance’s host key fingerprint.
  • Firewall settings blocking SSH access.

Fix

Ensure your SSH key is correctly configured and associated with your instance:

ssh -i /path/to/your/private_key user@your_instance_ip

If you encounter a host key mismatch, remove the old key from your known_hosts file:

ssh-keygen -R your_instance_ip

Verify that your instance’s security group allows inbound SSH traffic on port 22.

2. Performance Optimization

Understanding the Issue

Instances may exhibit suboptimal performance, including high latency or slow response times.

Root Causes

  • Resource contention on the host machine.
  • Insufficient instance specifications for the workload.
  • Network bandwidth limitations.

Fix

Monitor your instance’s resource usage to identify bottlenecks:

top
htop

Consider resizing your instance to a larger plan if resources are insufficient.

For network-related performance issues, check your instance’s network interface statistics:

ifconfig
netstat -i

3. DNS Configuration Problems

Understanding the Issue

Domains hosted on Scaleway may not resolve correctly, leading to accessibility issues.

Root Causes

  • Incorrect DNS records configuration.
  • Propagation delays after DNS changes.
  • Using non-recommended nameservers.

Fix

Verify that your DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, etc.) are correctly set up in the Scaleway DNS management console.

Use Scaleway’s recommended nameservers for your domain:

ns1.scaleway.com
ns2.scaleway.com

After making DNS changes, allow up to 48 hours for propagation. You can check the status using DNS lookup tools:

dig yourdomain.com

4. Email Delivery Issues

Understanding the Issue

Emails sent from applications hosted on Scaleway may not be delivered or may be marked as spam.

Root Causes

  • Misconfigured SMTP settings.
  • Scaleway’s default restrictions on outbound email traffic to prevent spam.
  • Recipient servers rejecting emails due to missing SPF or DKIM records.

Fix

Configure your application to use a trusted SMTP relay service with proper authentication:

SMTP Server: smtp.yourprovider.com
Port: 587
Username: your_username
Password: your_password

Ensure your domain has valid SPF and DKIM records to authenticate your emails:

SPF: v=spf1 include:yourprovider.com ~all
DKIM: (Generated by your email service provider)

If you need to send emails directly from your instance, contact Scaleway support to lift any restrictions on outbound SMTP traffic.

Conclusion

Scaleway offers a versatile cloud platform, but users may encounter issues related to instance connectivity, performance, DNS configurations, and email delivery. By understanding the root causes and applying the recommended fixes, you can ensure a stable and efficient environment for your applications.

FAQs

1. Why can’t I SSH into my Scaleway instance?

Check your SSH key configuration, ensure the correct private key is used, and verify that your security group allows SSH access on port 22.

2. How can I improve my instance’s performance?

Monitor resource usage, consider upgrading to a larger instance type, and optimize your application to use resources efficiently.

3. My domain isn’t resolving. What should I do?

Verify your DNS records in the Scaleway console, use the recommended nameservers, and allow time for DNS propagation.

4. Why are my emails not being delivered?

Ensure your SMTP settings are correct, use a reputable SMTP relay service, and configure SPF and DKIM records for your domain.

5. How do I contact Scaleway support?

Log in to your Scaleway account, navigate to the support section, and submit a ticket detailing your issue.