Using local cloud

Retirement of the cloud

Our IIHE ULB/VUB cloud has retired. The information on this page is now obsolete.

Start using our cloud

This page explains how to get access the graphical user interface of the local cloud for scientists to start creating and managing your VMs on the local cloud. You will be authenticated using your university account thanks to Shibboleth and the BELNET R&E Federation.

Request an access to the cloud

To request activation of your account, open the following URL in your browser :

https://access.iihe.ac.be/secure/activate_cloud_account.php

You will be warned by email when your request is approved. This mail should also tell you how to connect to the cloud web-interface.

Connect to the cloud web-interface

Open the following URL in your browser :

http://vvstone.iihe.ac.be/

How to configure your cloud account

To get access with SSH to your Linux VMs, you will need to upload your public SSH key into your !OpenNebula account. This way, when you create a new VM, an account will automatically be configured so that you can log in with SSH.

To upload your public key, follow this recipe :

1. Connect to the cloud web-interface (see previous section)
2. Go to your account settings by clicking on your username (represented by your mail address in the upper right corner), and then choosing "Settings" in the menu that appears
3. In the "Config" tab of the "Settings" form, click on the "Update SSH key" button
4. Copy/paste your SSH public key in the field and then click on the blue button below the field to validate

Create and manage your VMs

In your view, there are 3 tabs : Dashboard, VMs and Templates.

The "Dashboard" tab gives you an overview of your current usage in a few figures.

The "Templates" tab describes the available templates.

The "VMs" tab is where you can manage your VMs. From this tab, you can follow this simplified procedure to create a new VM :

1. Click on the "plus" button
2. Select a template
3. Click on the green "Create" button.

When the status of the VM has switched to "Running" (green square), you can go to the next point to learn how to connect to it.

You will find detailed explanations with screen captures in this document.

Access your VMs

Launch your Linux terminal and issue the following command : ssh <user_name>@<your_vm_ip_address>

where <user_name> is the user name indicated in the documentation of the template, and <your_vm_ip_address> is the IP address that is indicated in status of the VM.

Advanced topics

Hosting a public service

TBD (request to open ports in the firewall)

Requesting a new template

TBD

Data exchange with the VM

TDB