Windows Server VM
The platform integrates support of the virtual machines (VMs), which allows offering Windows Server hosting. In this guide, we’ll show how to create a Windows VM server and the VMs hosting specifics compared to the regular containers used on the platform.
Creating Windows VM
1. Click the New Environment button at the top of the dashboard to open the topology wizard. Expand the VPS section to locate the Windows server (the VM label helps separate the option from containers).
2. Only fixed resources are available for virtual machines, so when a VM is selected, the wizard’s central part is adjusted. Here, you can choose from several predefined plans using the slider. Hover over the price icon to view all the available tariffs for the VM.
Also, note that the horizontal scaling and IPv6 options are not available for virtual machines.
3. If VM is added to the topology, an additional VM Resources line appears in the right part of the wizard (just below the cloudlets information for containers).
The cost of the VM Resources is always fixed regardless of the actual consumption of the VMs. Click Create to proceed with environment creation.
Managing Windows VM
1. VMs are highlighted with a dedicated VM label and custom icon in the Usage column (as the cloudlets-shaped one is not suitable).
Tip: You can hover over the Usage column for a comprehensive overview of the current consumption or refer to the node Statistics for detailed analysis.
2. Some node’s function icons for VM are a bit different compared to containers. The following options are available:
- Add-Ons - installs available pluggable modules (e.g. Env Start/Stop Scheduler)
- Restart Node(s) - restarts a VM
- Statistics - shows real-time and historical VM’s resource consumption
- Remote Desktop - connects via RDP using the web client and resets RDP password
- Additionally - lists additional options, like node’s info
Let’s overview these options in detail.
3. Statistics are collected in the same way as for containers. However, CPU is measured in % for VM (instead of MHz).
4. All the actual configurations and application management are performed via RDP. Use the appropriate Remote Desktop menu to:
- Open in Browser - connects to the Windows Server over the RDP using the Guacamole web client, which allows managing server directly in a browser
- Reset RDP Password - resets and resends password of the Windows Administrator user
- Info - displays a short instruction on the remote desktop connection via local RDP client
- RDP link - shows a link for connection via local RDP client
5. In addition to the built-in web client, you can connect using any preferred local RDP application. Connect to VM based on its entry point:
If created without external IP, an endpoint is created automatically and can be used for RDP connection
If a public IP is attached, you can use it directly as VM’s host
Use administrator credentials from email to authenticate and start managing your Windows Server.
6. The vCPU and Memory for VM are billed as one tariff, while Disk, Network, and Options are billed separately, just as for containers.
That’s all you need to manage Windows VM in the platform. Refer to the official Microsoft documentation for information on the server management itself.