Virtual Server

Virtuelle Server

Specifications of virtual servers

ZfN offers virtual servers for institutions of the University of Bremen, which can be set up and managed in self-service mode. Server administration (and also responsibility for server security) lies entirely with the institution using the server.

The following specs are provided as default:

  • Ubuntu Linux
  • max. 4 virtual CPU cores
  • max. 8 Gbyte RAM
  • max. 120 GByte HDD
  • weekly automatic backups (30 days retention time)

Other operating systems or larger storage size (also in the terabyte range) are possible if justified.

Access to VM management

For administration of a virtual server, we strongly recommend using an independent role based account, whose password may be passed on to e.g. members of your working group.

You can apply for a role based account in ZfN online tools:
https://onlinetools.zfn.uni-bremen.de/

After setting up the account, please send us a short email in which you briefly outline the project and your needs. We will then authorize your account for virtual server management:
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Access to administration of virtual servers is reserved for employees of the University of Bremen. Student projects can get access through their supervisors. Responsibility (also for the security of the server) lies with the owner of the role based account.

Setup and use of virtual servers

After authorization, you can create virtual Linux servers in ZfN online tools (via Create Cloud Instance). Please log in with your role based account:

https://onlinetools.zfn.uni-bremen.de/

The administration of Linux servers is done via SSH on the command line. For root access an SSH key is required, the corresponding public key is entered in the web form. For more details see the instructions for creating SSH keys.

When your virtual server is set up, you will be informed by email. The administration of your virtual machine (start, stop, console access etc.) is possible (from the university network or VPN) via web interface. You will find more information in the info email.

The lifetime of each virtual server is one year. Before expiration you will be informed by e-mail and can extend the lifetime accordingly. The e-mail will be directed to the role based acocunt, so please make sure that these e-mails reach you, e.g. by setting up an e-mail forwarding to your personal account in online tools.