Cloud Edition Frequently Asked Questions
"The cloud" may be new and unfamiliar to you. Never fear; let us help you determine if working with the cloud is right for you.
What is the cloud?What is the cloud?
The cloud, or "cloud computing", can be thought of as externally managed web hosting. It allows you to easily deploy web-accessible servers.
Why would I want to leverage the cloud?
Many cloud offerings are based on usage (per hour charges), and so can be more affordable if your services are not running at all hours. Many organizations don't want to manage their own hardware, and the cloud allows them access to computing power without any local infrastructure. Finally, the cloud is elastic, meaning that computing power can grow or shrink dynamically, depending on your needs. The OpenGeo Suite is designed to help publish your data and maps on the web. As such, it is designed to be web-accessible. Hosting the OpenGeo Suite on the cloud is a natural choice.
On the other hand, if you have an existing IT infrastructure, it may not make sense to involve external computing power. This is especially true when integrating with existing or legacy systems is of prime importance. Also, while cloud servers are nominally as secure as any servers, local storage may be desired if your organization prohibits external storage. Finally, if you plan to use the OpenGeo Suite locally or internally, you may not need the always-available nature of the cloud. In these cases, we recommend the OpenGeo Suite Enterprise Edition.
Is the cloud secure?
A server hosted on the cloud is as secure as a server hosted anywhere else. If standard security procedures are followed, the cloud is a robust and secure solution.
I'm new to the cloud. Which Cloud Edition should I choose?
Skygone's managed hosting service is recommended for those with no cloud experience. Skygone offers a free trial to get started, with no credit card required.
I want control over my hosted infrastructure. Which Cloud Edition should I choose?
Amazon Web Services offers the most flexibility of our cloud offerings, so if control and local management is key, Amazon Web Services is recommended.
I want someone else to manage my infrastructure. Which Cloud Edition should I choose?
Skygone offers managed hosting as part of all of its product offerings, so it is recommended for those who don't wish to manage infrastructure themselves.
I've used Amazon Web Services in the past. How do I add the OpenGeo Suite to my account?
When selecting an Amazon Cloud offering, you will be taken to Amazon's site where you can log in with your existing AWS account. From there, it is a single click to add the OpenGeo Suite to your account. Please note that you will need to enable EC2 in your account before you will be able to use the OpenGeo Suite.
Does your Amazon Web Services offering come with a free trial?
Amazon Web Services' Developer tiers, while not free, offer affordable per-hour pricing that can be used to try out the hosted facilities and then turned off. Starting at $0.13 per hour with no setup fee, you can see the OpenGeo Suite in action for an entire working day for about a dollar. Those who wish to try the OpenGeo Suite Cloud Edition without requiring a credit card should use Skygone's free trial.
How much will this cost?
Pricing is determined by a number of factors. Some tiers are priced based on per-hour usage, and thus can vary from month to month. Other tiers have a flat monthly charge. Please note that certain tiers also have a one-time setup fee.
If I purchase a tier with an hourly rate, am I required to continue paying for this instance for any length of time?
Not at all. For instances with an hourly rate, you are only charged for the time (rounded to the hour) where that instance is running. If you terminate the instance, you will no longer be charged. Instances can be quickly and easily terminated from within the AWS Management Console.
What does the setup fee cover?
The setup fee on Amazon Web Services covers dedicated time with an OpenGeo configuration expert, who will assist you in loading your data safely and securely. In particular we help you configure Elastic Block Storage (EBS), which guarantees the preservation of your data.
What else do I get when I sign up for the OpenGeo Suite Cloud Edition?
You get forum-based support directly from OpenGeo experts. Some tiers also have dedicated email support, server monitoring, assistance with upgrades, and faster response times.
I'm still not sure. How do I find out more about the OpenGeo Suite or the cloud?
Purchase the OpenGeo Suite Cloud Edition
Get on the cloud!
Deploy the OpenGeo Suite on the cloud with Skygone or Amazon Web Services today.