What is RapidCompute?
RapidCompute is the first Pakistan based cloud computing service. It allows you to provision RapidMachines instantly, along with the flexibility to scale up or down according to your business needs. RapidCompute is a product of Cyber Internet Services (Pvt.) Ltd. (Cybernet), a trusted name when it comes to enterprise class connectivity and other value added services.
What is a RapidMachine?
RapidMachines are virtual servers, which can be provisioned by the users. They constitute CPU capacity, RAM, Storage for Operating System and an IP address.
How do I sign up and access RapidCompute services?
A customer can log on to www.rapidcompute.com and register through the Signup page. Upon signup, RapidCompute system will send an auto email to the customer with the login details. Customers can then log in to the RapidCompute’s customer portal through my.rapidcompute.com.
What are the payment options for RapidCompute?
RapidCompute services are prepaid i.e. the customer needs to pay in advance for monthly services. The cost of RapidMachine, additional storage and additional IP addresses are monthly costs. The network I/O capacity can be purchased in chunks of 100GB and can be carried forward. The customer can add credit to his account through credit card, online transfer to our HBL account or by mailing a cheque to our corporate offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
For businesses with a credit history, we also offer a direct-invoice option, which requires signing up with a RapidCompute sales executive and a credit review.
Are there any other charges, fees or taxes?
There are no other charges or fees apart from what is mentioned on the price calculator. The service charges do not include any government taxes and levies. If there are any taxes or levies imposed on these services, they will be charged separately. Cybernet is exempt from deduction of withholding tax under exemption granted by FBR.
What currency is the billing done in?
RapidCompute services are billed in US Dollars. If you are using any other currency to make the payment, the relevant US Dollars charge will be converted to your currency and will appear on your credit card statement accordingly. If you are in Pakistan and making your payment through online transfer or mailing a cheque, please use the official US Dollar buying rate from the NBP website to convert the US Dollars to Pak Rupees.
Which operating systems are supported by RapidCompute?
Currently we offer Windows Server 2008 and Linux (Ubuntu and CentOS)
What are the different types of storage available?
There are two kinds to storage available – performance enhanced and capacity enhanced. The performance enhanced storage is suitable for write intensive tasks i.e. faster access storage. The capacity enhanced storage is suitable for read intensive tasks i.e. comparatively slower access and larger capacity.
In what increments can the storage be purchased?
The performance enhanced storage can be purchased in chunks of 25GB and capacity enhanced storage in chunks of 50GB.
How do I access my RapidMachines?
By logging into the RapidCompute customer portal, you can access your RapidMachines anytime. Our customer portal contains all the tools necessary for you to manage your RapidMachines, including links to RapidSupport. You can also configure your RapidMachines to use common remote access technologies such as Remote Desktop connection for Windows or VNC for Linux distributions.
Do I have full root / administrator access to my RapidMachines?
Yes. All Linux machines have root access and all Windows machines have administrator access.
Do I have to add new RapidMachines manually?
Yes, you have to add RapidMachines manually through the customer portal.
Am I charged when my RapidMachine is in a stop state?
Yes. The only way to stop being billed for a server is to delete the server; if you do so, your server will be deleted forever and you will be unable to recover any data it contained.
How do I lodge a support ticket?
Registered RapidCompute users can use the customer portal or the RapidCompute website to lodge a support ticket with RapidSupport. Click on the “RapidSupport” link at the top right of the screen and fill in the required information to lodge the ticket.
How can I access my account history?
You can access your account history by going to the customer portal and clicking on the “Invoices” and “Services” buttons in the “Billing” menu item.
Can I send emails from my RapidMachines?
RapidCompute has an access-list at the router or email port that prevents outbound SMTP. This configuration is intentional so RapidCompute can monitor and effectively combat SPAM (unsolicited email). To remove this block, you must submit a Support case to RapidSupport requesting SMTP access. RapidSupport will reply with a questionnaire that you must fill out and return before you are granted access.
Can I use my own server image?
No. You will need to start with one of our base images. We currently do not support importing images from outside sources.
Can I clone an existing virtual server?
No. Server cloning is not currently available.
How long does it take to upgrade package on my RapidMachine?
It only takes about 5 minutes to upgrade your package, which is about the time required to reboot a RapidMachine. Occasionally, upgrading may take up to 30 minutes, if there is not enough space on your RapidCompute node. In such rare occasions, your RapidMachine will be seamlessly migrated to a new RapidCompute node.
Can I upgrade CPU cores?
No. You can only upgrade your RapidMachine package and add additional storage.
Can I upgrade CPU or RAM in separate units?
No. Currently, the CPU and RAM are being offered in bundled, pre-set packages. The pre-set packages are of a variety suitable for customers’ different needs.
How is network bandwidth calculated and charged?
Network I/O is charged for both inbound and outbound traffic. Customer can purchase network I/O capacity in chunks of 100GB. This capacity is connected with a customer’s account and can be shared between customer’s various RapidMachines. Any network I/O that remains unutilized at the end of a month can be carried forward for six months from the date of purchase of such capacity.
Can I edit my Load Balancer settings?
Yes. You can edit the Load Balance settings using the customer portal.
What types of Load Balancers are available?
There are three types of Load Balancers available – “Round Robin”, “Source IP” or “Least Connection”.
How can I see the list of IP addresses assigned to me?
You can see all your IP addresses from the RapidCompute customer portal. In the “Network” menu item, click the “IP Addresses” tab to view all your IP addresses.
What happens if there is a failure of the physical node?
RapidCompute’s provisioning platform ensures that your RapidMachines are spread across as many different physical nodes as possible to minimize the impact of an unlikely hardware failure. RapidCompute nodes are enterprise grade machines with dual power supplies connected to RAID-protected storage volumes. All nodes are proactively monitored by Cybernet’s Networks Operations Center (NOC).
What is RapidSupport?
RapidSupport is RapidCompute’s trained, experienced and dedicated support function that comes bundled with RapidCompute’s cloud services. Customers can call up anytime of the day to figure out how to use RapidCompute’s™ services and any other issues that a customer might face.
