PaaS: Basic Concepts and Terminology

A cloud computing service model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the complexities of infrastructure management.

Here are some basic terminologies:

1. Cloudlets

Cloudlets are a small building block of platform infrastructure. It is like a particular resource unit providing a specific amount of memory (equivalent to 128 MiB) and processing power (equivalent to 200 MHz). This level of resource detail helps the system allocate just the right amount of capacity for each task or application in the environment. This ensures user-based pricing, so that users need to pay only for the resources used.

There are two main Cloudlets in our platform:

Reserved Cloudlets:

These are resources you reserve in advance, regardless of whether you end up using them or not. The more you reserve, the more significant discount you get. It’s like booking your seat at a concert ahead of time.

Dynamic Cloudlets:

These resources are automatically added or removed based on your real-time usage. So you only pay for what you end up using, like paying for rides on a trip based on how many you take.

2. Container

In our platform, a container represents an isolated virtualized instance provisioned specifically for handling software stacks such as load balancers, databases, application servers and more. Each container operates independently, offering a secure and isolated environment for running applications or services. Containers are designed to be lightweight and portable, enabling seamless deployment across different environments. One can scale the application both horizontally and vertically, making hosting of applications truly flexible.

Our platform offers certified containers for Java, PHP, Ruby, Node.js, Python, Go, and .NET. Users also have the flexibility to deploy custom Docker containers. Each container is securely isolated and comes with its own private IP address and unique DNS record. Public IPs can be easily attached via the UI dashboard or API, simplifying external access configuration.

3. Layer

Layer, also termed as a Node group, comprises a cluster of homogeneous containers within a unified environment. Our platform provides a selection of pre-configured layers accessible through the topology wizard for certified containers, such as:

• Load balancer
• Compute
• Database
• Data Storage
• Cache
• VPS
• Build Node

4. Environment

An environment encompasses a cluster of isolated containers dedicated to running specific application services. Our platform includes integrated tools for seamless environment management, covering tasks like configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Users can perform various actions on the entire environment, including stopping, starting, cloning, migrating to another region, sharing with team members for collaborative work, and tracking resource consumption. These capabilities streamline operations and enhance efficiency in managing application environments.

5. Application

An application consists of a series of environments designed to execute a single project. For straightforward projects featuring just one or two stacks, a single environment suffices to handle all operations. This streamlined approach simplifies management and ensures cohesive execution of the project within a unified environment.

Application source code or built binaries can be deployed in several ways:

GIT/SVN Repository: Leveraging a GIT/SVN repository enables automatic updates, streamlining the deployment process.

Local Archive: Uploading a local archive (zip, war, ear, etc.) through the UI dashboard or FTP provides a straightforward deployment method.

Custom Docker Template: Deploying from a custom Docker template offers flexibility and customization options for containerized applications.

6. Hosts

Hosts are partitioned into smaller, isolated containers utilized for constructing environments. This partitioning enables industry-leading multitenancy, along with high density and efficient resource utilization. Containers are distributed across hosts based on load, ensuring optimal performance and resource allocation.

7. Environment Region

An environment region comprises a grouping of hosts orchestrated within a single isolated network.

Each environment region is associated with specific capacity within a designated data center, offering a predefined pool of private and public IP addresses, along with corresponding resource pricing. Additionally, users have the flexibility to effortlessly change the project’s location by migrating it between available regions.

8. Platform Installation

The Platform functions as a consolidated entity comprising multiple environment regions, each potentially housed in separate Data Centers, effectively forming isolated cloud environments. These regions are centrally managed by a cluster orchestrator, presenting a cohesive system for users.

This integrated setup offers diverse possibilities for application development, deployment, testing, execution, debugging, and maintenance. Users can leverage a spectrum of hardware options, encompassing various capacities, pricing models, and geographical placements. This diversity enables tailored solutions to match individual requirements, ensuring flexibility and scalability across the platform.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Platform provides a comprehensive solution for hosting applications across Public, Private, Hybrid, or Multi-Cloud environments. It offers a consistent outline of fundamental components such as Cloudlet, Container, Layer, Environment, Application, Host, Environment Region and Platform Installation, each contributing to the platform’s versatility and functionality.