The CUDOS Approach to Full Virtualisation and Price Formation

Scott Cunningham
CUDOS
Published in
5 min readMay 17, 2024
This article explores the types of VMs we offer and compares our VMs and pricing against AWS.

In the dynamic realm of cloud computing, virtual machines (VMs) serve as the bedrock upon which the vast expanse of digital services rests. With the advent of Web3, the diversity in VM offerings has become a pivotal factor in how businesses and developers approach cloud computing. At CUDOS, we’re at the forefront of this evolution, offering a range of VMs tailored to meet the burgeoning needs of our community. Before diving into our VM types and transparent pricing strategy, let’s unpack the fundamental differences between the two most common VMs: Full Virtualisation VMs and Container VMs.

Full Virtualisation VMs vs. Container VMs

Full Virtualisation VMs are the traditional powerhouses of virtualisation technology. They emulate an entire computer system, with each VM running its own operating system. This emulation includes the processor architecture, memory, and hardware states. Full virtualisation provides the utmost flexibility, making running multiple, completely isolated virtual environments on a single physical host possible. Examples of full virtualisation platforms include VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer.

Container VMs, on the other hand, represent a simplified approach to virtualisation. Instead of emulating an entire computer system, containers share the host system’s kernel and OS but run in isolated user spaces. This method shares more of the underlying resources, can improve efficiency for certain workloads, and offers less isolation than full VMs. Docker is a leading technology, encapsulating application processes in separate containers to enhance deployment and scalability.

While many cloud providers opt to use container VMs, at CUDOS, we’ve chosen to harness the power of Full Virtualisation VMs for their unparalleled flexibility and broad compatibility. While container VMs are simpler to deploy, this choice aligns with our commitment to empowering our users with robust, versatile, and secure computing environments suitable for various applications, from blockchain nodes to complex scientific computations.

The CUDOS Pricing Philosophy

Understanding the cost implications of cloud computing is crucial for our users. At CUDOS, we’ve developed a pricing model that reflects our core values: choice and efficiency.

Our general approach to pricing is to reduce waste and promote efficiency. Users can choose a preferred combination from the resources available in independent data centers and operators worldwide when creating their ideal VM, starting from their project’s or application’s computational needs.

Here’s how our component-based approach works for compute power, memory, storage, and GPUs: Users choose the type and number, and even preferred location, of each of these components, and our platform’s wizard will ensure efficient use of underlying resources to keep prices low and will transparently price each component as users build their VM, allowing users to incrementally add or remove each component to optimise for cost or performance as they wish.

Our Virtual Machine Offerings

Legacy cloud providers have established a range of VM categories to cater to various operational needs, each defined by a specific use case and equipped with a corresponding hardware specification. Here’s a glimpse into the conventional models offered:

Standard VMs: Positioned as a versatile solution, standard VMs are designed to support various applications by providing a balanced combination of CPU, memory, and storage capabilities.

Compute-Optimised VMs: Tailored for CPU-intensive tasks, these VMs are the go-to choice for scenarios ranging from batch processing to web servers that demand additional computing power.

Memory-Optimised VMs: Engineered for operations heavy on memory usage, these VMs are ideal for managing large databases and facilitating real-time big data analytics.

GPU VMs: Dedicated to tasks that require substantial graphics processing power, GPU VMs are perfect for graphics rendering, AI model training, and other computational tasks necessitating GPU acceleration.

Storage-Optimised VMs: These VMs are optimised for scenarios requiring high-performance, large-scale input/output operations, making them well-suited for big data and data warehousing.

While this array of options provides broad coverage of potential needs, one of the persistent challenges faced by users of these legacy models is the rigidity in customisation and refinement of their deployments. As businesses evolve and their technical requirements become more specific, the limitations in tailoring these predefined VM configurations can lead to operational inefficiencies and financial overheads from investing in unnecessary or underutilised resources.

At CUDOS, we recognise the critical importance of adaptability in cloud computing solutions. Our approach deviates from the traditional path by offering fully customisable and tailored VM deployments. This flexibility allows our users to precisely configure their VMs to match their requirements, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance. By empowering our clients to specify the number and type of vCPUs, the amount of RAM, the size and type of storage, and the inclusion of GPUs tailored to their use case, we eliminate the constraints and inefficiencies associated with the one-size-fits-all models prevalent in legacy cloud offerings.

Our innovative model addresses the shortcomings of inflexible VM configurations and aligns with our commitment to providing sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective cloud solutions. By enabling a more tailored approach to VM deployment, we help our customers avoid overspending on superfluous specifications and ensure their resources are utilised most effectively. This commitment to customisation and efficiency underscores our dedication to advancing the frontier of cloud computing, ensuring our solutions are both forward-thinking and responsive to the unique needs of our diverse user base.

These are just starting points for you to reference when deploying a VM on CUDOS Intercloud; you can customise every aspect of your VM. By offering these diverse VM options, CUDOS empowers you to architect your cloud setup to align perfectly with your project’s requirements, budget, and performance expectations. Our approach ensures that you’re not just choosing a cloud provider but a partner committed to innovation, sustainability, and the decentralised future of computing.

Whether you’re running standard applications, pushing the boundaries of AI research, or managing vast datasets, CUDOS has the virtual machine for you. Explore our offerings and build the custom cloud deployment that solves your needs. We’re here to build the infrastructure that’s powering the future. Join us at CUDOS Intercloud.

Learn more about CUDOS: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and CoinMarketCap.

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