This assumes you have DSPACE 1.5.x already running and working and that you had previously only used a dummy handle. It's as simple as doing

/dspace/bin/dsrun net.handle.server.SimpleSetup /dspace/handle-server

I found this buried in the DSPACE installation manual http://www.dspace.org/1_5_2Documentation/ch03.html#N10AA6 this link was forwarded to me from the handle.net crowd, as far as I know its the CNRI who run the show.

Just follow the instructions, have a credit card and paypal account ready to pay and make sure you have at least these details prepared...

• Description of server site
• Organisation name
• Contact person's name
• Telephone number
• Email address for a contact
• Two passwords for securing the system, I guess make sure you have them in a safe place and don't lose them.

Once the simple setup is completed and you have followed all the instructions, you will be directed to a page to pay the fee for the setup. Then you will be asked to upload sitebndl.zip to the handle.net site. Overall I found the experience with setting a handle.net account and server with DSPACE to be generally pleasant. Now all I need to do is put the system into production. Overall is two thumbs up for CNRI and the DSPACE devs for making it easy to setup this stuff and being helpful in the process.