Bare metal server

Overview

Get the power of a fully dedicated physical server with our Bare Metal Server service, designed to meet your specific needs.

Key features

Dedicated to a Client	Each Bare Metal server is reserved exclusively for a single client, guaranteeing optimal performance and total confidentiality.
Without Virtualization Layer	Eliminate intermediate virtualization for a more direct IT experience and maximum use of hardware resources.
Installation of OS and specific applications	Enjoy total freedom to install specific operating systems and applications, tailored to your unique business needs.
Hosted and managed by Cloud Avenue	Our expert team supports the hosting and complete management of your bare metal server, allowing you to focus on your core business without worrying about infrastructure. Choose Cloud Avenue’s Bare Metal service for a robust, flexible IT solution that is fully tailored to your specific requirements.

Available models

Different models are available, with several processor and memory configurations, to meet a large number of use cases.

Note that bms.db1 models are specifically optimized for Oracle databases. Their configuration includes careful CPU and core choices, ensuring the best balance between licensing cost and processing power.

Available operating systems

The platform seamlessly installs operating systems based on the customer’s preferences, as confirmed during the order placement. A limited set of versions of each operating system are proposed, featuring one of the latest versions available. Our current selection includes top-tier options such as Windows Server, Redhat Linux, Oracle Linux, and Redhat Openshift. These images undergo regular updates to ensure the inclusion of the latest versions.

Currently the images available are :

It’s important to note that Cloud Avenue BMS strictly avoids offering outdated or obsolete versions of operating systems. This commitment to providing only the most up-to-date options ensures optimal performance and security for our users.

Storage

Some models (XLarge, Medium, Small) are equipped with internal NVMe disks (2x960GB) designed specifically for application caching purposes.

In terms of system and data storage, each Bare Metal server is connected to a SAN network, providing access to Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs). These LUNs are storage spaces of exceptional velocity, directly linked to the server and offering performance at least as fast as an internal disk. In addition, they are perceived by the server as a local disk, ensuring seamless integration and a smooth experience.

LUN service on BMS

Cloud Avenue’s Logical Unit Number (LUN) service on Bare Metal Servers (BMS) provides dedicated, high-performance storage units for operating system installation and data storage. Each BMS server benefits from two types of LUN:

System LUN

• For operating system installation. The minimum orderable size is 100GB with performance classes Gold (1000-10000 IOPS), Platinum 3K (1000-30000 IOPS), and Platinum 7K (1000-70000 IOPS).
• Number: 1
• Increment: 1GB
• Performance : 1000 iops for size <= 1TB and Iops/TB for size >= 1TB

Data LUN

(Additional number authorized subject to review and approval.)

• Used to store application data. Minimum orderable size is 100GB with performance classes Silver (60-6000 IOPS), Gold (100-10000 IOPS), Platinum 3K (300-30000 IOPS), and Platinum 7K (700-70000 IOPS).
• Number: 10
• Increment: 1GB
• Performance : Iops/TB for size >= 1TB

LUNs guarantee high-performance storage and increased flexibility, enabling customers to choose the capacity and performance tailored to their specific needs

Each BMS will be assigned :

• a system disk, on which the operating system will be installed
• one or more disks for the data, usable by the application installed by the customer.

SAN storage is dedicated storage.

System disk

The following table describes the different possibilities for the system disk.

Minimum 1000 IOPS will be applied on all disks size irrespective of their classes.

Data disk

The following table describes the different possibilities for data disks. Multiple data disks can be added to a BMS, mixing performance classes.

Minimum 1000 IOPS will be applied on all disks size irrespective of their classes.

Network storage

A BMS has access to network storage, like any VM. By a change request, connectivity to a network storage space can be created for BMS servers.

Functionalities to order network storage for BMS from shared storage portal is under development and soon will be available to customer.

Network connectivity

Each Bare Metal Server (BMS) is linked to a dedicated T1 gateway, which is itself connected to the customer’s organization (tenant).

Firewall rules, NATting rules, and other NSX features such as load balancers are applicable to BMS. It’s important to note that the distributed firewall does not apply to BMS as they operate outside the NSX scope.

Upon BMS installation, a private network is established. This network is configurable through the vCloud Director portal.

Accessing the server

After the deployment of the BMS, all essential information (such as configuration IP address, root password, etc.) is sent to the customer through the Customer Portal.

BMS are accessible to the customer in multiple ways:

1. Bounce Server: Customers can either use an existing VM already deployed in their tenant or create a dedicated bounce server. They can then use a secure shell (SSH) or Remote Desktop (RDP) to access the BMS.
2. VPN SSL Access: Follow this tutorial to deploy and set up a free VPN SSL solution: VPN_SSL_autog%C3%A9r%C3%A9_sur_NGP.
3. T1 Integrated VPN: IPsec and L2VPN can be activated on Edge Gateway without additional cost. For configuration details, refer to Configuration VPN IPSec

For internal customers, they can request the creation of an access through the password management tool, which will generate an account to manage all BMS servers created for the organization.

While exposing SSH/RDP ports on Internet is possible, it is not recommended unless you are well-versed in securing this type of configuration. Refer to Configurer_le_NAT_(NGP)

Backup

The backup is performed using two methods:

1. NetBackup File Agent: This agent is connected to Cloud Avenue’s standard backup infrastructure. It exclusively provides file-level backups. Please note that server boot zones cannot be included in these backups.
2. Local Backup Solution: This can be either installed by the client or provided by the application hosted on the server (e.g., RMAN for an Oracle server). Each server is configured with primary storage space and a backup storage space. The backup storage space is supported by physically independent components from the primary storage space. A retention policy based on snapshots can be established through the Shared Storage portal. It is the client’s responsibility to deposit data exports to be backed up in this space. The storage utilized is network storage space ‘mounted’ in NFS.

Pricing

The Bare Metal Server is billed as follows:

• First month charged prorata temporis, depending on the number of days the server was made available to the client
• Full month in the following months
• No commitment of duration (for standard BMS)

Storage is charged on the basis of dedicated storage. See Storage

Ordering & run

The order of a BMS is made from the cloud customer area (ECC) via a change request.

Service management is always performed from the customer area. The available requests are:

• Server reboot
• Adding space to an existing disk (LUN extension)
• Adding a new disk
• Deleting a disk
• Installation of an OS image
• Create BMS
• Delete BMS
• Network storage change (also accessible through Shared Storage portal)

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