Frequently Ask Questions
General
What is OrionVM’s Pure IaaS (CloudDC)?
CloudDC is your virtual data centre in the Cloud. It replaces or works hand-in-hand with any in-house, dedicated or co-located solutions. Pure IaaS means we focus only on the infrastructure, if you need any shared web hosting, managed services, application development or integration services we have developed a network or specialised partners to ensure you receive everything you need.
When you say ‘the Cloud’, whats that?
The Cloud is how we describe any service delivered over the Internet which is rapidly scalable with a flexible billing model. For example your accounting software, CRM or email is quite possibly already in the Cloud.
What can I do with CloudDC?
CloudDC can run your scalable web applications, databases, mail servers, CRMs and ERPs; the possibilities are endless. Almost any workload you can think of is easily deployed on CloudDC, without costs of ownership and the high upfront costs. Can you manage my email/Dropbox/iCloud/exchange server? OrionVM focus’ solely on the core IaaS. If you need higher level services such as managed services, application development or integration services we have a range of partners who are more than happy to help. And sadly, we cannot help you with iCloud.
What is Pure IaaS?
Pure IaaS or Infrastructure-as-a-Service gives you root access to a virtual server, or instance. Pure IaaS transfers the costs and burdens of physical server management to OrionVM. This allows you to focus on your core business not running the servers, just as you focus on your core business not where the electricity will come from.
Getting Started
How can I get started with CloudDC?
You can begin trying our system right now by signing up for a 1For100 trial account here. For the trial account, please use the promo code: 1For100. This promo code will get $100 of credit which expires at the end of the calendar month. Limit 1 per person.
Why can’t I log in immediately after sign up?
Once you've signed up for CloudDC, one of our team will give you a call to have a chat to understand your needs and answer any questions you have. They will then activated your account. If you have signed up outside business hours, the team will still activate and send you a welcome email. Don’t worry, we’ll give you a call the next working day. If you've signed up and require immediate use of the account and have not been activated, please ring the 24/7 OrionVM Support line on 1300 56 99 52.
How do I access my systems?
Depending on which OS template you use you can either use the online web panel and console, SSH into your server through any standard Terminal or for Windows customers, Remote Desktop into the server.
How quickly will systems be running?
Once your account is activated you can be up and running immediately. It then takes less than 1 minute to boot a Linux instance and under 10 minutes to boot a windows instance. In short, very quickly.
How many instances can I run in CloudDC?
The real question is how many instances do you need? We have hardware simply waiting for you to start using, so give it a try. If you have a heavy load (anything above 100 instances) and would like to check, feel free to call us on 1300 569 952.
How quickly can I scale my capacity both up and down?
It will only take 40 seconds to scale up an already provisioned instance, scaling down is close to instant. If you will be scaling your environment up and down regularly, you can automate this using the API. The fastest way to scale application capacity on demand is to pre-provision disks and boot them up when required.
As we only bill for the resources currently in use, you will only be billed for the storage elements of these instances when the Instances are off.
Are there resources limits?
No, however upon sign up you will initially be limited to 1TB of storage, 32GB of RAM and 10 Public IP addresses. If you need a higher limit, please let support know and we are happy to accommodate. If you are planning on increasing your usage by more than 100 instances at any time please let us know on 1300 569 952.
Data Centres
Where is my data stored?
All your data is stored on OrionVM’s Pure IaaS stack, running in the state-of-the-art Equinix SY3 and SY2 Data centres in Sydney, Australia. All of your data will remain on Australian shores.
Do you have multiple data centres?
Yes, in order to ensure our high reliability, we have multiple sites in Australia’s. These include Equinix SY3 and Equinix SY2. Our primary cloud is hosted out of Equinix SY3 and we are able to provision DR capacity in SY2. We will soon have self-service platforms in multiple datacentres.
Technology
You say you are the fastest in the world, really?
When OrionVM first launched CloudDC in April 2011 it was benchmarked by CloudHarmony.com as the world's fastest cloud. Now, that title is yet to be overtaken although things are in the works for version 2 will be even faster.
Really? But How?
That is our special sauce, but since you asked have a look here.
Do you have an API?
Yes, CloudDC has a fully function API set which can be found here. OrionVM also has a set of CLI based utilities for managing your cloud environment (currently for Debian based distros). Please see OVM-CTL utility.
What operating system are supported?
CloudDC currently support the following:
• Debian Lenny
• Debian Squeeze
• Ubuntu Lucid (10.04)
• Ubuntu Oneric (11.04)
• Centos 5.5
• Gentoo
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacentre Edition
If you need any other templates, contact us on 1300 569 952
How is this service different than a plain hosting service?
Traditional hosting offers you a set plan with defined resources and a defined cost regardless of if use it. Also, to upgrade one resource you have to commit to increasing all other resources. Does that make sense? CloudDC means that you pay for ONLY what you use and you can increase or decrease any resource as little or much as you want. Think about it like an apartment block that never runs out of room and you only pay for each second of use. Secondly CloudDC provides you with a robust, reliable hosting environment with auto failover capabilities. Each of our facilities have backup power, backup internet connectivity and backup servers to ensure even in the unlikely event of servers in that datacentre failing you remain as unaffected as possible.
Support
What support do you offer?
OrionVM offers 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 day a year local email or phone support. Contact us on either support@orionvm.com.au or 1300 569 952
Do you offer managed services?
As we are a Pure Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider we focus only on the Infrastructure stack. If you need more high level services such as management, implementation, development or monitoring we have a range of partners who are excited to help, see the list here.
How do I get into contact with live, local Technical Support and what are the operating hours?
If you require technical support, you can either open a support ticket through your account’s user panel or on the website. Alternatively you can ring our phone line directly on 1300 569 952. We offer 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 day a year support so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Billing
How will I be charged and billed for my use of CloudDC?
Your usage will be charged monthly in arrears.
What is billed?
Your CloudDC invoice is broken up into five billable options; RAM, Storage, IPs, Bandwidth and Licences. Each item is calculated on a second by second basis. See pricing.
How do I update my credit card?
To update your credit card please contact us on 1300 569 955 or email support@orionvm.com.au.
When does billing of my CloudDC systems begin and end?
The monthly billing period is from one minute past midnight on the first day of the calendar month to midnight on the last day of the calendar month.
Do your prices include GST?
Yes, all prices are GST inclusive.
CloudDC Running Microsoft Windows and other Third Party Software
Can I use my existing Windows Server license with CloudDC?
Unfortunately in most circumstances you will not be able to bring your own licenses as all Windows Server templates are provisioned using Microsoft SPLA licenses provided by OrionVM. If you would to discuss the creation of a custom template, please contact us on 1300 569 952 or email sales@orionvm.com.au.
Do it cost anymore to run a Windows instance?
Yes, you will be charged an additional per hour cost for the Windows Server License. Please see pricing for more information.
Can you supply licenses for other Microsoft products?
Yes, we are able to provide pricing for most Microsoft applications on a per-month basis. Please contact our team on 1300 569 952 or email sales@orionvm.com.au for more information.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
What does your CloudDC Service Level Agreement guarantee?
Please see our documentation on our SLA here.
How do I know if I qualify for a SLA Service Credit?
In the unlikely event we do breach our SLA we will be in touch with all customers involved to organise an SLA Service Credit.
