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What is an Elastic Server?An "Elastic Server" is a mass customized application stack. These custom application stacks can be built from our component library, configured to a variety of virtualization-ready formats, and downloaded easily.
What is Elastic Server On-Demand?"Elastic Server On-Demand" is our online service for custom configuration and building of application stacks (Elastic Servers) and making them available in a variety of virtualization-ready formats. It also provides a download directory of the stacks you have built, as well as stacks published by other users. It provides a dashboard view which highlights the most popular components as well as an overall view of community activity.
What are rubberbands? “Rubberbands” are small software components that make different parts of an Elastic Server work together more easily. For example, this includes linkages to the built in firewall, to the web-based admin screens, or setting desired default behavior for a particular stack component. We will be adding an initial set of rubberbands for popular components, in the future we will provide a mechanism for community created rubberbands to be included in the component repository.
What is virtualization?The virtualization we refer to is “platform virtualization”. Given a hardware platform, the "host" operating system creates a simulated computer environment (a virtual machine) for its "guest" software. The "guest" software, is often a complete operating system that runs just as if it were installed on a stand-alone computer.
What are the benefits of virtualization?1. Partitioning*
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| Multiple applications and operating systems can be supported within a single physical system
Servers can be consolidated into virtual machines on either a scale-up or scale-out architecture
Computing resources are treated as a uniform pool to be allocated to virtual machines in a controlled manner
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2. Isolation*
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| Virtual machines are completely isolated from the host machine and other virtual machines. If a virtual machine crashes, all others are unaffected
Data does not leak across virtual machines and applications can only communicate over configured network connections
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3. Encapsulation*
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| Complete virtual machine environment is saved as a single file; easy to back up, move and copy
Standardized virtualized hardware is presented to the application - guaranteeing compatibility |
What virtualization formats are available for my Elastic Server?Elastic Servers can be formatted for VMware (download VMware Player), Xen (download XenExpress), Parallels (download free trial for Mac), or for the Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud ). Just select your preferred format on the 'Server Configuration' screen.
Where can I get the appropriate virtualization client software?Download Virtualization Clients based on Elastic Server virtual image selection.
I have a sign up code, but it won't let me log in!The user limit for your sign up code may have been reached. Contact the person who invited you to obtain a new sign up code. If you can't remember who gave you the signup code request a new code .
The Elastic Server On-Demand site is down.
Check the Elastic Server On Demand front page for scheduled downtimes and outage information.
Is there a limit to how many servers I can build?There is no limit, feel free to create and download as many servers as you want!
Where do I go for CFT support?For the Elastic Server Beta visit the community forums . For commercial support of custom stacks visit our support site to open a service ticket.
How do I learn more? CFT has regularly scheduled demonstration sessions . The webinars are run by a CFT team member and cover everything from building to using your custom Elastic Servers.
How do I add my servers to the community list?Before you click 'Save & Build' on the 'Server Configuration' screen, there is a check box to share the server in the Public Directory located under the server name and description fields.
The build process is taking more than 5 minutes is this normal?The Elastic Server On-Demand build queue is a First-In-First-Out system, your Elastic Server will be built in the order in which it was received. Build times vary depending on the number and kind of components you chose to include with your server. The Elastic Server On-Demand site will show the server's progress through 5 different stages, so keep an eye on the page for new stage information. You will also be emailed regardless of the build outcome. Included in the email will be a download URL upon success or a support contact in the event of a build failure.
I lost Internet connectivity while building my server, what now?Once you have submitted your Elastic Server configuration to be built, everything happens at our Elastic Server On-Demand facility. Log back in to continue to view the build progress on the 'Factory' page. You will be emailed regardless of the build outcome. Included in the email will be a download URL upon success or a support contact in the event of a build failure.
If I want to use my server in production what are the terms for licensing?Commerical Support for Elastic Servers is available as a monthly or annual subscription. Click here to request more information on subscription pricing .
Can I sell a service using your servers?Elastic Servers are free for use by developers. Any production use requires a subscription. Click here to request more information on subscription pricing .
I have a middleware component that is not in your library, can I add that to my stack?In the future, we intend to allow Elastic Server On-Demand users to add to the component library on a shared or private basis, as well as have component libraries hosted on their own network. Take a look at the Elastic Server Roadmap .
Where do I recommend/request component additions to the library?All recommendations/requests should be made in our forums under 'Requests'.
Are there pre-configured servers that you recommend I download?Check the community directory for pre-configured Elastic Servers. In the future, we will provide tagging and scoring capabilities to make it easier to find popular, pre-built servers.
Can other community members see my profile information?Yes, community members will be able to see information you enter on your 'Profile' page. Your username, title, company, URL, about you paragraph, and your build stats will be published on our community site.
What will production Elastic Servers cost?Costs will vary depending upon the stack components used in the server. For example, some commercial components may have a higher price for us to provide than similar open source components. That said, we expect Elastic Servers to dramatically reduce customers' cost to consume enterprise grade, customized application stacks, including ongoing support and maintenance. Click here to request more information on subscription pricing .
I want to implement this in my business, what is the next step? One way is to request entry into the Enterprise Beta, contact Enterprise Beta or request product information . Either way our team can help you realize the value of our solution in acquiring, configuring, and managing your custom stacks.
How do I know all these components work together? Currently, the beta does not provide advice on component interoperability or conflicts. In the future our service will provide feedback dynamically as you configure a server. Take a look at the Elastic Server Roadmap .
Is there a Wrapture Manageability Framework API available? Yes, there is an Alpha Version of the Wrapture Manageability Framework .
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