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VMware-based public cloud: a quick start
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VMware-based public cloud: a quick start

You can work with the public cloud through the VMware Cloud Director® dashboard or through the VMware Cloud Director API.

You can watch a video about connecting the public cloud.

  1. Replenish your balance.
  2. Create an organization.
  3. Create a virtual data center (vDC).
  4. Optional: create an additional user.
  5. Optional: give the user access to a virtual data center.
  6. Create a vApp container.
  7. Connect the virtual machine to the Internet.
  8. If you have created a Routed network, configure SSH/RDP access to the virtual machine.

1. Refill the balance⁠

Before you start setting up your public cloud , top up your balance.

2. Create an organization⁠

An organization is an administrative unit that includes users, virtual data centers, networks, and virtual machines. For more information about working with organizations, see the Create an Organization tutorial.

  1. In the Control panel, on the top menu, click Products and select VMware-based Cloud.
  2. Click Create Organization.
  3. Select a region.
  4. Click Create Organization.

3. Create a virtual data center⁠

A virtual data center is a collection of virtual cloud computing resources (processors, memory, disk capacity, networks). Learn more about virtual data centers in the Create a virtual data center instruction.

  1. In the Control panel, on the top menu, click Products and select VMware-based Cloud.

  2. Go to the Virtual Data Centers section.

  3. Click Create a virtual data center.

  4. Select the type of cluster:

    • GOLD-1 is a cluster with fast storage suitable for hosting high-load applications and databases;
    • SILVER-1 is a cluster with versatile storage and optimized cost, suitable for most applications;
    • PLATINUM-1 (only in Moscow region) — a cluster on processors with high base frequency and fast storage, suitable for hosting applications demanding CPU frequency and disk subsystem speed.

  5. If you selected the GOLD-1 cluster, select an availability zone:

    • DUB3 (availability zone based on Dubrovka-3 data center) — placement in one availability zone (similar to SILVER-1 and PLATINUM-1 clusters);
    • CVT2 + DUB3 (availability zones based on data centers Dubrovka-3 and Tsvetnaya-2) — placement in two availability zones within a disaster-resistant cluster.

  6. Click Create a virtual data center.

4. Create an additional user⁠

Read more about users in the instructions Manage virtual data center users.

  1. From the Control Panel, open the Cloud Director panel: from the top menu, click Products → VMware-based Cloud → Cloud Director.
  2. Log in to Cloud Director with an administrator account. You can view the administrator credentials and reset the password in the Control Panel under VMware Cloud → Users.
  3. Open the Administration tab.
  4. Go to Access Control → Users.
  5. Click New.
  6. Enter the user's name, password, and role. A user with the Organization Administrator role always has access to all data centers in the organization.
  7. Click Save. The new user appears in the Control Panel under the Users tab.

5. Grant the user access to the virtual data center⁠

  1. In the Control panel, on the top menu, click Products and select VMware-based Cloud.
  2. Go to the Users section.
  3. In the user card, open the Access to Virtual Data Centers tab.
  4. In the row with the virtual data center you want to grant access to, turn on the toggle switch.

6. Create a vApp container⁠

A vApp is a container in Cloud Director with virtual machines grouped together to solve a specific task, more details in the Manage vApps and Virtual Machines tutorial.

  1. From the Control Panel, open the Cloud Director panel: from the top menu, click Products → VMware-based Cloud → Cloud Director.
  2. Open the virtual data center page.
  3. Go to Compute → vApps.
  4. Click NEW → New vApp.
  5. Enter the name of the vApp.
  6. Click Add virtual machine.
  7. Enter Name and Computer Name.
  8. If you are creating a virtual machine from a ready-made template, select From Template in the Type field.
  9. Optional: To power on the virtual machine as soon as it is created, check the Power on checkbox.
  10. Select the OS image.
  11. Select Storage Policy (network disk type).
  12. Press OK.
  13. Optional: Add additional virtual machines. If necessary, you can add them to the created vApp later.
  14. Click Create. It will take time to create the virtual machine.

7. Connect the virtual machine to the Internet⁠

You can connect the virtual machine to the Internet:

  • using a Routed network through a local Edge router. Firewall and NAT configuration will be required;
  • using Direct Connected subnets directly to the virtual machine.

Learn more about networks in the Public Cloud Networks tutorial.

  1. From the Control Panel, open the Cloud Director panel: from the top menu, click Products → VMware-based Cloud → Cloud Director.
  2. Open the virtual data center page.
  3. Go to Compute → vApps.
  4. From the ACTIONS menu of the desired vApp, select Add → Add Network.
  5. Select the Routed network type.
  6. Select the preconfigured default_net LAN and click Add.
  7. Navigate to the Virtual Machines section.
  8. In the block of the desired virtual machine, click Details.
  9. Go to Hardware → NICs.
  10. Click Edit. If there is no network adapter, click New.
  11. In the Network column, select default_net.
  12. In the Connected column, check the checkbox.
  13. Click Save.

8. Configure SSH/RDP access to the virtual machine⁠

  1. Configure Firewall.

  2. Configure the DNAT rule. NAT will not work with the Firewall disabled or with a deny rule in place. When configuring NAT:

    • SSH: Open port 22 by creating a DNAT rule;
    • On RDP: Open port 3389 by creating a DNAT rule.