Cloud server: which one to choose? The Tucha services navigator

A remote server is not a new concept, but sometimes choosing it can seem like a difficult task. Virtual and physical servers, flexible constructors, and those that consist of balanced sets of resources, with data centers in Ukraine or abroad... What is the difference, and what should I choose? Here you will find the main information about services from Tucha based on virtual and physical servers that are available for rent. The article will help you to understand better which of the services is suitable for solving a particular task.

In general, the functionality and capabilities of a cloud server are no different from a server located in an office. So, you can place on it:

• programs and data for an entire company operation;
• software for the work of separate specialists or company's departments;
• project management systems;
• accounting and financial reporting programs and data;
• CRM and ERP systems, in particular, the box version of Bitrix24;
• any other specialized applications;
• company website, online store;
• mail server, database, IP telephony;
• archives, documents, files, etc.

However, placing data in the cloud, but not in the office, provides several important advantages:

• remote storage of information provides additional protection against losses, intrusions, and access by unauthorized persons;
• stable 24×7 access to data from any device and corner of the world;
• simple scaling of server resources;
• saving money on purchasing and maintaining IT equipment;
• round-the-clock technical support.

We wrote in more detail about these and other advantages of cloud servers in a separate article.

To choose the right service for a particular task, you need to consider several factors:

• what exactly and to what extent should be placed in the cloud;
• how many users will work with programs and data on the server;
• where geographically it is desirable to store data;
• are there any special needs, for example, heightened requirements to processes speed;
• available budget, etc.

Based on these conditions, our specialists help to choose a solution for each client. Also, you can navigate the services by asking several vital questions.

First of all, identify whether the project is linked with really high workloads. Does it need enhanced computing resources to such an extent to abandon the numerous advantages of virtual servers in favor of physical ones? 

Virtual servers

For the vast majority of tasks, the answer is no, so most likely the virtual server based on one of our services will work: TuchaHost, TuchaBit, TuchaBit+, or TuchaFlex+. We recommend choosing virtual servers for several reasons:

• their work is provided by a powerful computing cloud;
• they have an increased level of data protection, which is provided by a reliable data center and a responsible provider;
• for most of the services, regular complete snapshots of each server disk are provided (which we will discuss later) and storage of the last two of them, which is included in the price;
• virtual machines are simply scaled — configurations could be changed several times a day.

We offer several options for virtual servers, among which everyone will find the most convenient solution. A few questions will help to choose a preliminary configuration.

1. Where is a desirable location for placing data?

Our facilities are located both in our country and abroad, in Germany. If the placement of data in Ukraine or outside is critical, there is an opportunity to choose the solution in both cases.

2. What are the performance requirements?

By answering these two questions, you can preliminarily choose such services:

A solution based on Ukrainian platforms for projects with high-performance requirements

TuchaBit+ — virtual servers based on modern Intel Xeon Gold 6248R processors with a clock frequency not lower than 3.0 GHz. The processors provide an exceptional speed when working with programs and data that are hosted on the server. Guaranteed availability of services is 99.9%.

Servers are based on virtual units, i.e., balanced sets of resources — processor cores (CPU), RAM, and memory (SSD). 1 unit includes 1 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 15 GB SSD. Also, 1 IP address is added to each server by default. According to the task, you can deploy a virtual machine consisting of any number of units (up to 100 inclusive). If there is a need to increase the capacity, the required number of resources can be easily added to the server.

TuchaBit+ provides an increased amount of RAM — 2 GB per 1 unit, as well as a 10-gigabit network and the ability to connect additional HDD storage.

To enhance the security of data storage, the cost of renting each virtual server based on TuchaBit+ includes complete snapshots of each machine's disk and the storage of the last two of them. How it works and when disk snapshots can be useful, we will tell you in this article. It is also always possible to additionally order TuchaBackup cloud storage for storing backups so that important data will not be lost.

A solution on Ukrainian platforms for tasks with standard performance requirements

TuchaBit — virtual server of balanced configurations that have guaranteed availability of services at the level of 99.0%. The service allows you to deploy machines based on Microsoft Windows OS and combine them into isolated networks, and host web projects based on the "Bitrix: Site Management" platform.

Servers based on TuchaBit consist of virtual units that include a fixed number of resources. 1 unit in TuchaBit includes 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM, 25 GB SSD. Also, by default, 1 IP address is added to each server. The service is easily scaled by adding the necessary number of units.

An important feature of the solution is that the price of each server includes a Windows Server Datacenter license.

As in the case with TuchaBit+, the service provides the regular creation and storage of server disks snapshots and also allows to strengthen the security of data placement by using backups and other tools: encryption of communication channels, an alarm button, and others.

A solution that is based on foreign platforms for projects that require fast operation

TuchaFlex+ — virtual servers of any configuration in foreign data centers, mainly in Germany, meet Tier 3 security level and higher. Guaranteed availability of services is 99.9%.

TuchaFlex+ is a kind of constructor that can be assembled in any configuration and easily scaled by adding the necessary number of resources: CPU, RAM, SSD, HDD, IP addresses. The service allows deploying virtual machines with Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, etc.

The cost of renting each virtual machine based on TuchaFlex+ also includes the regular creation and storage of the last two snapshots of the server disk.

A solution that is based on foreign platforms for less demanding tasks

TuchaHost — virtual servers with large HDDs at a budget cost based on secure foreign data centers, mainly in Germany. Guaranteed availability of services is 99.0% (in hypervisor mode) and 99.9% (in virtualization cluster mode).

The service consists of balanced sets of resources and is easily scaled by cells. 1 cell includes 1 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 125 GB HDD.

TuchaHost is suitable, for example, for hosting a mail server, a database server, and similar tasks.

Physical servers

If the task is associated with reasonably heightened requirements for computing resources, you should consider for your tasks a physical server. This can be, for example, an online store with a large number of visitors (tens of thousands per day), which is constantly growing, a large-scale online game, etc. Also, high server loads generate application development processes and storage of large amounts of data.

Rent of physical servers is available on the basis of our service TuchaMetal. It provides the placement of servers in data centers both in Ukraine and abroad (mainly in France and Germany) and has the indicator of guaranteed availability of services at the level of 99.9%.

The cost of our physical machines already includes the use of the TuchaBackup backup storage (in the volume of the disks of the rented server).

Whatever service the client chooses, there will always be a team of experienced IT specialists from Tucha nearby. We provide caring and professional assistance in solving technical issues in the 24×7 mode. There are four available variants of support:

• basic;
• constant server administration.
• hourly server administration;
• warranty support.

A special article will help you learn more about each of the support types, their features, and their cost.

There is a list of our visual instructions and technical articles on how to:

• start working on a server and get through the basic settings;
• connect to a remote desktop using an RDP client with Windows.

Look for even more useful materials in our blog.

Hosting programs and data in the cloud is not only convenient, but also it is a reliable solution for the company's work. Among the services of Tucha, each client will find exactly what they need. And our specialists will be happy to help you choose the optimal solution in accordance with the existing tasks and budget. Write to our email address sales@tucha.ua or call +380 44 583-5-583. We are always in touch.