Hosted Private Compute-as-a-Service
Today, organisations of all sizes
are facing challenges unlike
any they’ve experienced before.
Globalisation and economic
pressures are changing the business
landscape, increasing the pressure
to expedite time-to-market with
new products and services, while
keeping costs down. In addition,
constant technology change has
resulted in ad hoc infrastructure
build-outs, creating complexity and
complicating the management and
support of IT infrastructure.
Organisations are looking to cloud computing to improve competitiveness, recognising the benefits of improved business agility, simplified businesses processes and reduced time-to-market.
Cloud Computing provides on-demand, self-service access to servers, applications and software development platforms.
Hosted Private
Compute-as-a-Service
Hosted Private Compute-as-a-Service (CaaS) is a dedicated cloud Infrastructure-as-a- Service (IaaS) that provides on-demand, self-service, pay-for-use access and control of virtual servers featuring scalable capacity, anti-affinity, tiered storage, cloud backup, networking and WAN Optimization. Our Hosted Private CaaS is located within one of our data centres. It includes enterprise-class security, controls and performance guarantees, as well as a REST-based application interface (API) for easy integration into back-end systems, enterprise system management tools or third-party cloud applications.
Overview of Hosted Private CaaS
Our Hosted Private CaaS provides clients with a secure and segmented hosting environment that’s unique to each client, and is isolated from the rest of the public cloud.
The Hosted Private CaaS is deployed in Dimension Data data centres and is available for a fixed monthly fee. It provides a variety of options and allows you to manage different customer accounts within the private cloud architecture, including the ability to provide monthly usage metrics of each internal customer to facilitate cost chargebacks.
Key features:
• Simple-to-use, self-service access – Provisioning of virtual servers,
networks and tiered storage in minutes – Web-based administrative user
interface and REST-based APIs – Common interface across public and
private cloud deployments – Customisable look and feel of the
home page of the user interface
• Fully managed service
– Comprehensive, ongoing management of the entire private cloud infrastructure – Management of the underlying
operating systems, VMware virtualisation software, hardware (servers, network and tiered storage), and cloud management system – Dimension Data’s management
processes address the key elements of implementation, change control, monitoring, patching, and lifecycle management so that cloud availability and performance are maintained – Ongoing software lifecycle
management, including evaluation of all major software releases from VMware, OS vendors, and the other components of the solution, to ensure they function as expected
– Dimension Data’s multipoint monitoring systems scrutinise key system parameters, system availability, network and the overall user experience 24x7x365 to ensure the highest possible uptime and performance – 24x7 cloud support
• Enterprise security and compliance – Virtual private clouds with user-
determined public Internet connectivity – Unique customisable firewalls for security – VPN administration of all servers – Unique username/password for each
administrator
– Role-based permissions controlling the activities of each user
– Audit logs of all environmental changes
• Enterprise performance
– Availability service level agreement (SLA) – Latency guarantee
– Industry standard technology, including VMware virtualisation, Cisco servers and networking, Dell servers, VMware virtualization, and EMC tiered storage
• End-user controls
– Centralised control and billing – In-depth usage reporting by asset – Audit log reporting by user
and department
– 24x7 phone support with ticketing/
status tracking
• Optional managed services – Technical Operations for cloud –
provides system monitoring and system administration for Cloud Servers
Cloud Computing
provides on-demand,
self-service access to
servers, applications
and software
development platforms.
Hosted Private CaaS Service
components
Dimension Data Hosted Private CaaS is the only enterprise-class cloud IaaS offering that includes hardware-based security and scalability, complete customisation and control, easy integration, 24x7 live support and strong performance guarantees. Our Hosted Private CaaS comprises: cloud servers and cloud networks.
Key facts
Dimension Data’s Hosted Private CaaS is:
• An enterprise-class Compute Infrastructure-as-a-Service (CaaS) offering
• Built using industry-leading hardware and software
• Provided via the Internet or via dedicated private MPLS network
• Fully automated and orchestrated via purpose-built software
• Comprises Servers, tiered storage and network elements coupled with virtualisation technology, key features such as global import / export and anti-affinity and operating system software
• Deployed in one of our data centres and available for a fixed monthly fee
Cloud servers
Built on VMware’s vSphere hypervisor, Dimension Data cloud servers are highly configurable, secure, virtual machines that provide granular control and allow easy customisation. Each cloud server can be configured with anti-affinity and up to 16 CPU, 128 GB of RAM and 10 TB of tiered storage.
Dimension Data offers three levels of tiered storage, including:
• High Performance – for mission critical online active files and database tables that require always-on availability
• Standard – ideal for Cloud applications using VM/VDI files, archiving of videos and images
• Economy – for offline master backup, disaster recovery and long-term retention To easily and seamlessly ensure business continuity and data protection while also offering choice, cloud backup is delivered through a self-service portal.
Cloud Backup is available in three plans:
• Essentials – files and folders backup and restore
• Advanced – files and folders, as well as system state backup and restore
• Enterprise – files and folders, system state as well as application backup and restore
Our secure virtual machines are hosted on physical servers and are built on the infrastructures from Cisco, EMC and Dell.
Dimension Data cloud servers support Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu and CentOS operating systems and can be deployed and managed either through the administrative user interface (UI) or through corresponding functions of the open API.
Additional features include:
• Granular configuration of CPU, RAM and tiered storage for each cloud server
• Licensing for the underlying operating system is included with the service, allowing automated patch updates through Red Hat Network and Microsoft Windows Update Services
• Full server management capabilities, including start, shut-down, reboot, power off, restart, delete, add local tiered storage, or change CPU/RAM
• Static private IP address assigned to all servers accessible only via VPN, and are mapped to static public IP addresses only as required
• Role-based administration control over which user can manage servers
• Cloning ability to duplicate virtual servers to create ‘customer images’
which can be used to deploy copies of a server configuration
• Capability to import/export server images which can be used to transfer virtual machines to and from a client’s own infrastructure. CaaS Private Network Connection to access the Hosted Private CaaS using client’s dedicated MPLS network.
• Tiered Storage, providing three choices for businesses to right-size their storage and giving clients the flexibility to meet the needs of their applications while balancing performance and cost
• Cloud Backup, an optional add-on service delivering integrated, out-of-the- box backup and recovery for all CaaS workloads – public, private and hosted private
Cloud networks
Cloud networks are VLANs built on Cisco hardware-based networking providing network isolation, security and performance for a client’s environment.
Cloud networks can be customised with additional networking features such as firewalls, load balancing, multicast and network address translation (NAT).
Additional features include:
• Private IP addressing for all cloud servers, with the ability for cloud servers located on separate cloud networks to communicate across this private IP space
• Client-to-site VPN access for administrators to securely manage servers on their cloud networks
• Customisable ACL-based firewall rules to control access into each network VLAN
• NAT and VIP functions to expose private IP addresses to the public Internet
• VIP functions support load balancing and port translation across multiple virtual servers, with the ability to take servers in and out of service based on customer- defined monitoring probes
• Multicast support for clustering implementations
Dimension Data Managed Cloud
Platform™
Dimension Data’s Cloud Services are delivered on the company’s Managed Cloud Platform™ (MCP), a fully-managed cloud delivery platform. Hosted within a Dimension Data or client data centre, the MCP comprises industry-leading hardware and software, coupled with WAN optimization and key features such as anti-affinity, cloud backup, tiered storage, scalable server capabilities, global import export virtualisation technology, operating system software, and Dimension Data CloudControl™ is our cloud management system that provides operational control and automation of cloud resource provisioning, orchestration, administration and billing.
The MCP can be accessed via a web-based user interface or REST-based API, enabling integration of the platform with third-party cloud or enterprise system management software. Based on the very mature cloud management system Dimension Data CloudControl™ was further developed for use across public and private cloud environments with a common framework for management.
As a single platform for all of Dimension Data’s Cloud Services, clients are able to easily move between public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud models without having to re-architect and re-integrate the underlying infrastructure, saving time and money.
Dimension Data offers several types of MCPs to complement our Cloud Services:
• Public MCP: deployed around the world, Public MCPs are accessible via the Internet and meet the requirements of a true public cloud: self-service, pay- per-use and with standardised services.
Dimension Data’s Public CaaS is delivered from our Public MCPs.
• Private MCP: deployed in a client data centre or a third-party data centre, a Private MCP is dedicated to a single client. Private MCPs deliver fully-managed Private CaaS.
• Hosted Private MCP: hosted by Dimension Data, the Hosted Private MCP is dedicated to a single client. Hosted Private MCPs deliver a fully-managed private cloud service.
• Provider MCP: deployed in a service provider data centre or a third-party data centre, a Provider MCP is dedicated to a single service provider for the use of its clients. Provider MCPs deliver a fully-managed Private CaaS that can be productised into a white label public or private cloud offering.
Cloud communities are supported within the architecture, on a public or private basis with enterprise-grade security, allowing for organisations such as education institutions, government agencies, or trading partners to cost-effectively offer cloud services to all community members.
Dimension Data Managed Cloud Platforms are fully-managed. This significantly reduces the time-to-market and operational risks associated with building a private cloud in-house.
Accessing the Hosted
Private CaaS
Web-based user interface: Our Hosted Private CaaS can be accessed via the Internet using the web-based administrative UI. Each Hosted Private MCP has a URL associated with it for login.
REST-based API: Both Public and Private MCPs can be accessed with easy-to-use REST-based API designed to allow seamless control over all aspects of a customer’s cloud servers and cloud networks.
Hosted Private CaaS SLA
Dimension Data will meet the service level agreements set forth below for its Hosted Private CaaS.
Network uptime guarantee
Dimension Data guarantees availability of the Dimension Data cloud.
Server uptime guarantee
Dimension Data guarantees availability of individual servers within the Dimension Data cloud environment.
Support response time guarantee Dimension Data guarantees Dimension Data support personnel will review and update any case submitted via the Dimension Data community.
Latency guarantee
Dimension Data guarantees <1 ms latency for the transfer of data packets from one server to another within the Dimension Data cloud environment and within the same network.
Clients are able to easily move between
public cloud, private cloud and hybrid
cloud models without having to re-architect
and re-integrate the underlying infrastructure,
saving time and money.
Hosted Private CaaS service management
Dimension Data provides comprehensive, ongoing management of the entire private cloud infrastructure as part of the Hosted Private CaaS. This includes responsibility for maintaining the following:
• Physical infrastructure (servers, networking equipment, and tiered storage)
• Underlying operating systems
• VMware software
• Dimension Data CloudControl™
cloud management system Dimension Data’s management processes address the key elements of implementation, change control, monitoring, patching, and lifecycle management so that cloud availability and performance are maintained.
Ongoing software lifecycle management is a key component of the Hosted Private CaaS.
Dimension Data evaluates all major software releases from VMware, Cisco and the other components of the solution, and tests these releases within its lab environment to ensure they function as expected. Furthermore, Dimension Data will review new features and capabilities of any releases and will update its operating system, virtualisation and Dimension Data CloudControl™
software to allow you to take full advantage of new software.
Dimension Data’s multipoint monitoring systems scrutinise key system parameters, system availability, network and the overall user experience 24x7x365 to ensure the highest possible uptime and performance.
Cloud support – 24x7x365
Dimension Data’s monitoring systems report to a central aggregation engine that drives Dimension Data’s Private and Public CaaS client care and technical support for all emergency or after hours client-to-Dimension Data communications. The 24x7x365 Client Care Centre has the tools, technology, and administrative expertise to effectively support customer environments, including:
• 24x7x365 staffing with experienced technicians – first-level support is via our Global Service Centre;
• Level 1 and Level 2 industry expertise to resolve Severity 1 and Severity 2 issues immediately;
• In-depth domain knowledge;
• Escalation management expertise; and
• A focus on 100% client satisfaction.
Hosted Private CaaS clients also have the choice of providing their end users with access to the Dimension Data’s Cloud Community. The community provides users and developers with the support, education and knowledge base to use the service to build applications on the Dimension Data’s Cloud.
Dimension Data’s
management
processes address
the key elements of
implementation,
change control,
monitoring, patching,
and lifecycle
management so
that cloud availability
and performance are
maintained.
Dimension Data CloudControl™
Dimension Data CloudControl™ is a sophisticated cloud management system that provides complete automation of the orchestration, administration, provisioning, management, support, metering and billing of cloud-based resources. In building Dimension Data CloudControl™, we used the same operations principles and architecture that were used to manage complex application hosting environments for some of the largest software-as- a-service companies. Dimension Data CloudControl™ goes beyond providing simple provisioning of virtual machines onto physical servers.
Dimension Data global availability
Dimension Data’s Cloud Services are available worldwide.
Our Public CaaS and Hosted Private CaaS are accessible via the Internet from anywhere in the world, anytime. Our Hosted Private MCPs can be deployed in San Jose, California, and Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Sydney, Melbourne, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Tokyo, Japan and Hong Kong.
Hosted Private MCPs are deployed within client data centres and can be accessed via their private network or the public Internet.
With more than 23,000 employees and presence in over 58 countries and reach to more than 100 countries, Dimension Data is well positioned to serve the needs of global enterprises and service providers.
Dimension Data’s CloudControl™ cloud management system enables federation between Public and Private MCPs. Our strategically-located Public MCPs have the ability to interconnect or ‘peer’ with one another and other Private MCPs, as capacity requirements ebb and flow to create a
‘Cloud Exchange’. This means performance and latency may be optimised and time-to- service reduced. This model also ensures that any data sovereignty requirements on a client’s part may be satisfied.
Pricing
With our Hosted Private CaaS, you pay a one-time setup and monthly fee for a fixed set of resources (CPU, RAM and tiered storage). Additional resources can be added if needed.
With more than 23,000
employees and
presence in over 58
countries and reach
to more than 100
countries, Dimension
Data is well positioned
to serve the needs of
global enterprises and
service providers.
CS / DDMS-0905 / 09/14 © Copyright Dimension Data 2014
Cloud server infrastructure
Operating systems supported RedHat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 , CentOS 6, CentOS 5, Ubuntu 10 LTS, Ubuntu 8 LTS, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard and Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise
Virtualisation platform VMware vSphere
Infrastructure providers VMware, Cisco, EMC, Dell, NetApp
CPU 1 - 16, configurable
RAM 1 - 128 GB, configurable
Tiered Storage High-Performance, Standard and Economy tiers ranging
from 10 GB - 10 TB, configurable
Cloud server performance
Availability Platform availability; Network Availability
Latency Latency between cloud servers on the same cloud network (VLAN)
Response Support response time guarantee
Hosted Private CaaS Service specifications
Security and control
Data centre Top-tier co-location facilities in San Jose, California and Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Sydney, Melbourne, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Tokyo, Japan and Hong Kong.
Meets Uptime Institute Tier III standards. Monitored 24x7x365 by CCTV and onsite guards. Access through biometric two-factor authentication.
Network configuration Configurable Layer-2 VLANs based on Cisco-based switching fabric;
customisable ACL-based firewall rules; NAT and VIP functions;
load-balancing and port translation; Multicast support for clustering implementations
Access Public Internet and virtual private network (VPN) virtual private
network and dedicated MPLS network
Administrative control VPN administration of all servers; unique username and password for multiple administrators; role-based permissions allow
administrator to limit sub-administrators to manage only certain resources, such as servers, tiered storage or networks.
Server control Take servers in and out of service manually, programmatically, or based on monitoring probes
Reporting Audit logs of all environmental changes
Compliance SSAE 16 Compliant
Incident response 24x7 incident response
API REST-based API
For further information visit: www.dimensiondata.com/cloud
Mozambique · Namibia · Nigeria
Oman · Rwanda · Saudi Arabia South Africa Tanzania · Uganda
United Arab Emirates · Zambia
Thailand · Vietnam
For contact details in your region please visit www.dimensiondata.com/globalpresence
