Tariff plan VMmanager 6

This section describes how to configure a tariff plan with the processing module VMmanager 6. Basic configuration options can be found under How to add and configure a tariff plan.

Main settings

VPS template — the name of the template that will be used for creating a virtual machine in VMmanager. The template defines what resources including their amount a client can use. Navigate to VMmanager → Cluster settings → VM configuration.

If you plan to sell virtual machines with a specific configuration, enter the name of the configuration in the VPS template field.

If you specify a non-existing template, VMmanager will create a new one automatically. The name will be taken from the "VPS template" field. The template allows a customer to use unlimited resources.

One and the same resource may be specified in the VPS template in VMmanager and in the tariff plan in BILLmanager. In that case, the parameters in the billing platform will have higher priority.

Read more about configurations in   Configurations of virtual machines in VMmanager documentation.

Example: the VPS template "Standard" in VMmanager has the following limits: 2 GiB RAM and 10 GiB disk space. In BILLmanager we create the tariff plan "VPS-standard. VMmanager" based on the template of the "Standard" account. The tariff plan price includes 1 GiB RAM. Disk space is not configured.

When a client orders the service related to the tariff plan "VPS-standard. VMmanager", a virtual machine with 1 GiB RAM and 10 GiB disk space will be created.

Additional settings

A platform administrator can manage default add-ons from the product type settings. For example, to manage the OS template, see the article Operating systems available for order. VMmanager 6.

• OS templates — a list of operating systems that can be installed on virtual machines that will be created based on this tariff plan. The list is uploaded automatically from VMmanager 6. You can edit the list in Products → Product types → Parameters → Values → Tariff plans;

• Cluster — A list of clusters to host virtual machines. To use the cluster that is specified in the handler, select the Default Cluster value;

  When selecting a cluster, specify only the operating system templates that are available on the selected cluster.
• A default domain template is used for generating a domain name if the client didn't specify it during the order. You can use the following macros in this field: 
  • @USERNAME@ - account username.
  • @TYPE@ - product type.

  • @ID@ - service unique identifier.

    How to use a macro

    For example, in the Domain template field, the default value is "@USERNAME@.example.com". The username is "john". The client didn't specify a domain name in the "Domain name" field. Therefore, VMmanager will create a virtual machine with the domain name "john.example.com". 

Supported resources 

Main parameters

The main parameters of the tariff are the number of CPU, the amount of RAM and disk space. If an existing virtual server template is specified in the tariff settings, the processing module will receive the values of these parameters from the template. If a non-existent template is specified in the settings, these parameters must be set manually.

Additional parameters

Fine-tuning

If the fine-tuning values are not specified in the tariff, BILLmanager will use the values from the virtual machine configuration in VMmanager. If BILLmanager does not receive information from VMmanager configuration, the default fine-tuning values will be used when ordering a virtual machine.

You can use the "CPU model" add-on only together with the "CPU emulation mode" add-on’s value of "custom". To add CPU models to BILLmanager, go to Products → Enumerations → CPU model → Add .

The add-on "Bandwidth" is identical to the addons "Incoming traffic" and "Outgoing traffic". Use the "Bandwidth" add-on if the restrictions on incoming and outgoing traffic match. You can limit the VM bandwidth if the traffic threshold is exceeded.

In the LXD cluster, the following settings cannot be used simultaneously:

• "Disk read speed" and "Read operations per second";
• "Disk write speed" and "Writes operations per second".

How to add IPv6 subnet

To allow customers to use IPv6 subnets on virtual machines in VMmanager 6, go to Products  → select the tariff plan → Config → Add and create the add-on "IPv6 subnet" with the value "Boolean (Yes/No)".

You can enable or disable the add-on "IPv6 subnet" for a certain service in Products  → Products/Services → Virtual servers → select the server  → Edit →  Add-ons → the option IPv6 subnet.

Configuring IPv6 subnet prefix

VMmanager allocates subnets of IPv6 addresses with a prefix from /32 to /125 for virtual machines. To enable the client to choose a subnet prefix when ordering:

1. Create a list of prefixes available for ordering:
   1. Enter Products → Enumerations → IPv6-subnet prefix → Values .
   2. Press Add and specify the prefix parameters:
      1. The name to be displayed to the client.
      2. Internal name. Must be <prefix> or subnet_<prefix>. For example, 124 or subnet_124.
         
2. Add prefix settings to the tariff:
   1. Enter Products → Tariff plans → select the tariff → Options → Add .
   2. Create the "IPv6-subnet prefix" addon with the "Enumeration” value type.
      

To have a default prefix specified in the order without the ability to change it, create the "IPv6-subnet prefix" add-on with the value type "Do not bill".

Adding a bridge

If additional bridges are configured on a VMmanager 6 cluster node, you can create a Bridge addon in BILLmanager. In that case, when you open a VM service, its network interface will be created with the selected bridge. Read more in the VMmanager 6 documentation article Network configuration on the cluster node.

To enable the client to select a bridge:

1. Add the addon to the product type:
   1. Internal name — specify "bridge".
2. 1. Go to Products → Product types → VPS → click Details.
   2. Click Add and specify the parameters:
3. Add the enumerations:
   1. Specify the bridge names from VMmanager 6.
4. 1. Enter Products → Enumerations → select bridge → click Values.
   2. Click Add and specify the parameters:
5. Add an additional resource for the tariff:
   1. Type — select "bridge".
   2. Value type — select "Enumeration".
   3. Enumeration — select "bridge".
   4. Default value — select the bridge to be used in the default tariff. At the time of ordering, the client can change this value by selecting the value from the list.
6. 1. Enter Products → Tariff plans → select a tariff → click Options.
   2. Click Add and specify the parameters:

   Selecting the pool for the VM

   To allow the client to select the pool from which VMmanager will assign the IP address to the VM:

   1. Configure the pools available for selection:
   2. 1. Enter Products → Enumerations → IP pool → Values button.
      2. To add a pool, press the Add button and specify the pool parameters:
         1.  Name — name of the pool in the tariff description;

         2. Internal name — the name of the pool in VMmanager.

            The internal name "*" means that VMmanager can assign an IP address to VM from any available pool in the cluster.
   3. Enter Products → Tariff plans → select the tariff → Options button → Add button.
   4. Create the "IP pool” addon with the type of value "Enumeration".

   Sale of backup space

   VM image creation is available in VMmanager under the administrator or advanced user account. Only VM backup creation is available from BILLmanager.

   In order to sell backup space: 

   1. Go to Products  → Tariff plans → Config → Add. 
   2. Select "Client can choose" in the Billing type field.
   3. Enter any Name, for example, "Space for backups". 
   4. Specify other parameters and click on Ok. 
   5. Go to Products  → select the tariff plan → Config → select the newly created add-on→ Prices.
   6. Create an option that will allow your customers to cancel a disk for backups: 
      1. Specify "Do not bill" in the Billing type field.
      2. Select the Type "Disk for backup images".
      3. Select "Integer" in the Value type field.
      4. Enable the option Custom name and enter a Name of the list element. For example, "Do not buy space for backups".
      5. Enter "0" in the "Tariff includes" field of the Tariff limits section.
      6. Click on Ok to save the parameters. 
   7. Create an option to allow your customers to order a disk for backup images:
      1. Select "Based on order" in the Billing type field. 
      2. Select "Disk for backup images" in the Type field.
      3. Select "Integer" in the Value type field.
      4. Select "By the nearest value" in the Values scale field. 
      5. Select the  "Only upgrade" in the Resource modification after order field. 
      6. Enable the option Custom name and enter a Name of the list element. For example, "Buy space for backup images".
      7. In the Tariff limits section, enter parameters according to your needs. 
      8. Click on Ok to save the parameters. 

   On the order form, you will see the drop-down list "Space for images" with two values. For example:

   • Do not buy space for backup images — a free option. Disk space for images won't be allocated.
   • Buy space for backup images — a paid option that allows customers to order disk space for images. When a client selects this option, he will see the variants for this add-on on the order form. Its price is calculated based on the parameters specified in the sections Tariff limits and Prices.

   Speed limitation in case of overage

   BILLmanager allows you to limit the traffic speed to a specified value in case of traffic overrun. The option is available for both incoming and outgoing traffic. When a client's traffic limit is exhausted, BILLmanager notifies VM manager 6. VM manager 6 reduces the client's connection speed to "free" — the minimum speed at which the client can continue to use the services without exceeding the set limits. The feature allows the provider to efficiently manage client traffic, and the client to continue using the service without exceeding the limits, and reduce the cost of the virtual server service.

   To configure the limit for a tariff:

   1. Go to Products → Tariff plans → select a tariff → Options → Bandwidth → click Edit button.
   2. Customize the Main settings: 
      
      1. Select "Based on statistics" in the Billing type field.
      2. Select "Bandwidth" in the Type field.
      3. Select "Integer" in the Value type field.
      4. Enable the option Custom name and enter a Name of the list element if necessary. For example, "Speed limit".
      5. Specify an Internal name if you want to override the standard service name of the add-on.
         Example

         Service name override may be relevant if:

         • resource utilization statistics will be calculated based on several parameters. For example, if one server handles web traffic and another handles databases;
         • the parameter name is different from the service name of the add-on. For example, the service name of the add-on is TrafficControl, but the name MaxSpeed is used in the configuration.
      6. Set the Incoming traffic, Kbit/sec limit if necessary. If the field is left blank, the maximum allowable speed of incoming traffic will not be limited.
      7. Set the Outgoing traffic, Kbit/sec limit if necessary. If the field is left blank, the maximum allowable speed of outgoing traffic will not be limited.
         
         The speed limit for overspending must not be greater than the maximum speed. If the Incoming traffic, Kbit/sec and Outgoing traffic, Kbit/sec fields in the Main settings are filled in, their values cannot be less than the values in the Incoming traffic limit, Kbit/sec and Outgoing traffic limit, Kbit/sec fields in the Overage price section.
      8. If necessary, set the IP Pool for which the settings will be used.
   3. Customize the Statistics settings section:
      
      1. Select for which period to count the Bill resource overuse:
         • Per calendar month — select if you want to reduce the speed when the monthly traffic limit is exceeded;
         • Per day — select if you want to reduce the speed when you exceed the daily traffic limit.
      2. Specify how to do the counting if there are Several parameters:
         
         • Sum;
         • select the Maximum value.
      3. Select what the listed price is for in the Price for:
         
         • Item;
         • Item per month.
      4. Bill on suspended service — activate the option so that the customer is charged for the add-on even if the service is stopped.
      5. Post-paid — activate the option to allow charging for resource overruns without taking into account the client's balance.
         
      6. Sum up invoices — activate the option to summarize the parameter value for the entire period when generating the statement of work performed.
         
      7. Speed limitation in case of overrun — activate the option to limit the speed of incoming and outgoing traffic in case of overspending. If the option is deactivated, no speed limitation is applied in case of overspending. If the option is disabled while a speed limit is in effect on active services, this limit will be removed according to the rules of the "Limit removal" field.
         • Limit removal — select the condition that will cause the speed limits to be lifted: 
           
           • Payment for overruns — if this option is selected and the cost of overrun is set for the add-on, then if there is an overrun, an attempt will be made to pay it according to the settings. If the overrun is paid, the restrictions will be removed. If the overrun cost value is 0, no payment will be made and the speed limits will not apply;
             
           • The onset of a new billing period — If this option is selected, the cost of the overcharge and the fact of its payment are not tracked. Restrictions are imposed until the end of the billing period. 
             
             Example

             If you select Per day in the Bill resource overuse field, traffic overruns will result in a speed limit until a new calendar day.

             If you select Per calendar month in the Bill resource overuse field, traffic overruns will result in speed limitation until the new billing period. For example, on April 25th, a client has a traffic overrun. The client's speed will be limited until May 1st.

         • Incoming traffic limit, Kbps — specify the speed to which incoming traffic should be limited in case of overage.
           
           Since traffic is counted in Mbps on the VMmanager 6 side, the platform rounds up the incoming or outgoing traffic. The field can be left blank, in which case no speed restrictions are applied to the overrun. For example, on the BILLmanager side the value is set to 500 Kbps. On the VMmanager side, the limit will be rounded up to 1 Mbps.
         • Outgoing traffic limit, Kbps — specify the speed to which outgoing traffic should be limited in case of overrun.
   4. Customize the Tariff limits section:
      1. Unit of measure — select the unit of measure for the amount of traffic.
      2. Tariff plan includes — enter the amount of traffic that is included in the tariff price. It is displayed in the specified units of measurement.
      3. Maximum value — set the maximum amount of traffic a customer can order.
      4. Included into tariff on a trial period — set the amount of traffic available for ordering during the trial period. You can leave the field empty. In this case, the quantity on the trial period is not limited.
      5. Maximum value on trial period — set the maximum amount of traffic available for ordering during the trial period. You can leave the field empty. In this case, the maximum quantity during the trial period is controlled by the field Included into tariff on a trial period.
         
   5. Customize the Overage price section:
      1. Overage price — specify the cost per unit of excess.
   6. Configure the rest of the parameters according to the instructions in the article About tariff plan configuration and click Ok.
      

      If you need to display that a traffic speed limit is set for the tariff, go to Service order configuration → Add-on Description:
      

   Selling VMs with GPUs

   Selling virtual machines (VMs) with graphics processing units (GPUs) using BILLmanager opens up new opportunities for providers and their customers. It will allow you to: 

   • use GPU performance on VMs for user tasks (e.g., machine learning and modeling);
   • run graphics-intensive applications (game platforms, computer-aided design systems, image processing programs) on VMs;
   • isolate GPU device resources - each GPU device will only be used by a specific VM.

   To configure the sale of virtual server services with GPUs:

   1. On the VMmanager side:
      1. Create a VM configuration with the Passthrough GPU devices option. For more information, see the article Configurations of virtual machines.
      2. Add the created configuration to the distribution filters on nodes with GPUs:
         1. Go to Nodes section → select the node → Parameters button → VM distribution settings tab. 
         2. In the VM parameters field select Configurations (select).
         3. In the Parameter value field select the created configuration.
         4. Click the Save button.
              
   2. On the BILLmanager side, when creating a tariff, select the created configuration in the VPS template parameter.

   You can configure the sale of virtual server services with a specific type of GPU as follows. For example, you need to configure rates for selling virtual server services with RTX 6000 and RTX 4090 devices. To do this:

   1. Install RTX 6000 devices in one of the cluster nodes (N1). Create the RTX 6000 configuration and specify it in the distribution filters on node N1.
   2. Create the "Virtual Server with RTX 6000" tariff and specify the VPS template for it — RTX 6000.
   3. Install RTX 4090 devices in another cluster node (N2). Create the RTX 4090 configuration and specify it in the distribution filters on node N2.
   4. Create the "Virtual Server with RTX 4090" tariff and specify the VPS template for it — RTX 4090.
   May be useful

   Useful tips

   BILLmanager documentation:

   • Operating systems available for order. VMmanager 6
   • How to create and configure a tariff plan
   • About tariff plan configuration

   VMmanager 6 documentation:

   • Network setting on the cluster node
   • Configurations of virtual machines