Dashboard & Operations
VM Management
Comprehensive tools for managing your virtual machines throughout their lifecycle
The dashboard provides comprehensive tools for managing your virtual machines throughout their lifecycle.
VM Status Management
Control your virtual machines with these state management options:
Power Management
VM State Controls
- Start: Power on a stopped VM
- Stop: Gracefully shut down an active VM
- Reboot: Restart an active VM
- Hibernate: Save VM state and release resources
- Restore: Resume a hibernated VM from saved state
Resource Management
VM Resource Operations
- View Details: Access comprehensive VM information
- Create Volume: Add persistent storage to VMs
- Take Snapshot: Create point-in-time backups
- Delete: Permanently remove VMs and free resources
VM State Operations
Power Management Operations
Power On Operations
- Available for VMs in SHUTOFF or HIBERNATED state
- Boot time varies by configuration and state
- Billing begins when VM reaches ACTIVE state
- Network connectivity restored upon startup
Use Cases:
- Resume work on stopped VMs
- Restore hibernated development environments
- Activate scheduled or batch processing VMs
Power On Operations
- Available for VMs in SHUTOFF or HIBERNATED state
- Boot time varies by configuration and state
- Billing begins when VM reaches ACTIVE state
- Network connectivity restored upon startup
Use Cases:
- Resume work on stopped VMs
- Restore hibernated development environments
- Activate scheduled or batch processing VMs
Graceful Shutdown
- Available for VMs in ACTIVE state
- Attempts graceful OS shutdown first
- Forces shutdown if graceful fails
- Resources remain reserved (full billing continues)
Use Cases:
- Temporary VM shutdown for maintenance
- Coordinated shutdown for system updates
- Preparation for hibernation or deletion
Restart Operations
- Available for VMs in ACTIVE state
- Performs graceful restart when possible
- Maintains all configurations and data
- Brief service interruption during restart
Use Cases:
- Apply system updates requiring restart
- Clear temporary issues or memory leaks
- Restart services that require system reboot
Advanced State Management
Hibernation Process
Hibernation Process
VM Hibernation Benefits
- Cost Savings: Reduced billing rate ($0.01/€0.01/₹1.00 per hour)
- State Preservation: Complete VM state saved to disk
- Quick Recovery: Faster than full VM boot
- Resource Release: Hardware resources freed for other users
Hibernation Process:
- VM memory state saved to persistent storage
- VM processes and applications preserved
- Hardware resources released
- VM enters HIBERNATED state with reduced billing
Restoration Process
Restoration Process
Restoring from Hibernation
- Memory Recovery: VM state loaded from storage
- Process Continuation: Applications resume where left off
- Network Reconnection: Network connections re-established
- Service Resumption: Services restart automatically
Restoration Time:
- Typically 2-5 minutes depending on VM size
- Larger VMs with more memory take longer
- Network-heavy applications may need reconnection time
State Transition Limitations
State Transition Limitations
Operation Restrictions
- Cannot perform operations during state transitions
- Must wait for current operation to complete
- Some operations restricted based on current state
- Error handling for invalid state transitions
VM Information Display
The dashboard shows comprehensive information for each virtual machine:
Hardware Information
Processing Resources
- CPU Cores: Number of virtual CPU cores allocated
- RAM: Total memory allocation in GB
- GPU Type: Specific GPU model and memory
- GPU Count: Number of GPUs assigned to VM
- Performance Tier: Relative performance classification
Processing Resources
- CPU Cores: Number of virtual CPU cores allocated
- RAM: Total memory allocation in GB
- GPU Type: Specific GPU model and memory
- GPU Count: Number of GPUs assigned to VM
- Performance Tier: Relative performance classification
Storage Resources
- Root Disk: Operating system storage capacity
- Attached Volumes: Additional persistent storage volumes
- Volume Status: Current attachment and health status
- Total Storage: Combined storage allocation across all volumes
- Bootable Volumes: Volumes capable of booting VMs
Connectivity Information
- Private IP: Internal network address for VM communication
- Public IP: Internet-accessible IP address (if assigned)
- SSH Key Information: Configured authentication keys
- Regional Location: Deployment region and availability zone
- Network Performance: Bandwidth and latency characteristics
Real-time Status Information
VM State
Current Status
- ACTIVE, SHUTOFF, HIBERNATED, or transitional states
- State transition progress indicators
- Last state change timestamp
- Uptime and availability metrics
Resource Utilization
Usage Metrics
- CPU utilization percentage
- Memory usage and availability
- GPU utilization metrics
- Network throughput statistics
Health Monitoring
System Health
- Overall VM health status
- Service availability indicators
- Performance alerts and warnings
- System responsiveness metrics
Pricing Information Display
Real-time Cost Tracking
Current Billing Rates
Current Billing Rates
Active Cost Information
- Per-hour Rate: Current hourly cost for VM configuration
- Per-minute Rate: Precise minute-by-minute billing rate
- Current State Cost: Billing rate based on current VM state
- Projected Costs: Daily and monthly cost projections
Cost Breakdown
Cost Breakdown
Detailed Cost Analysis
- GPU Costs: Primary cost component based on GPU type and count
- Storage Costs: Additional costs for attached volumes
- Network Costs: Any applicable network or data transfer costs
- Total Cost: Combined cost calculation for all resources
Billing State Impact
Billing State Impact
State-based Billing
- ACTIVE: Full rate billing for all resources
- HIBERNATED: Reduced rate billing (storage only)
- SHUTOFF: Full rate billing (resources reserved)
- Transitional States: No additional charges during state changes
Cost Optimization Insights
1
Monitor Usage Patterns
- Track actual VM usage vs. allocated time
- Identify periods of low or no utilization
- Analyze cost trends over time
- Compare costs across different VM configurations
2
Identify Optimization Opportunities
- Hibernation opportunities during downtime
- Right-sizing opportunities for over-provisioned VMs
- Alternative GPU selections for cost efficiency
- Storage optimization for unused or oversized volumes
3
Implement Cost-Saving Strategies
- Schedule hibernation during predictable downtime
- Adjust VM configurations based on actual usage
- Clean up unused resources regularly
- Monitor and adjust based on changing requirements
VM Lifecycle Management
Creation to Deletion Workflow
1
VM Creation
Deployment Process
- Configure VM specifications (GPU, storage, network)
- Select boot source (OS image, volume, or custom image)
- Configure SSH access and security settings
- Deploy VM and monitor creation progress
2
Active Management
Operational Phase
- Monitor VM performance and health
- Manage storage volumes and attachments
- Create snapshots for backup and recovery
- Adjust configurations as needed
3
Maintenance Operations
Ongoing Maintenance
- Apply system updates and patches
- Monitor and optimize resource usage
- Manage access keys and security settings
- Perform regular backup operations
4
Decommissioning
End-of-Life Management
- Create final backups and snapshots
- Detach and preserve important volumes
- Document configurations for future reference
- Delete VM to free resources and stop billing
Best Practices for VM Management
Performance Monitoring
Performance Monitoring
Proactive Performance Management
- Monitor CPU, memory, and GPU utilization regularly
- Set up alerts for performance thresholds
- Track application performance metrics
- Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks
Cost Management
Cost Management
Efficient Cost Control
- Use hibernation strategically for cost savings
- Right-size VMs based on actual usage patterns
- Regular cleanup of unused resources
- Monitor and optimize storage allocation
Security Management
Security Management
Security Best Practices
- Keep SSH keys updated and secure
- Apply security updates promptly
- Monitor access logs for suspicious activity
- Implement proper firewall configurations
Backup and Recovery
Backup and Recovery
Data Protection Strategies
- Create regular snapshots of important VMs
- Test restoration procedures periodically
- Maintain off-site backups for critical data
- Document recovery procedures
Multi-VM Management
Managing Multiple Virtual Machines
Fleet Overview
Multi-VM Monitoring
- View status of all VMs at a glance
- Compare configurations and costs
- Identify optimization opportunities across fleet
- Coordinate operations across multiple VMs
Batch Operations
Coordinated Management
- Bulk hibernation for cost savings
- Coordinated snapshot creation
- Mass configuration updates
- Synchronized maintenance operations
VM Organization Strategies
Systematic VM Naming
- Use descriptive names indicating purpose
- Include environment indicators (dev, staging, prod)
- Add project or team identifiers
- Include version or iteration numbers
Examples:
ml-training-team-alpha-v2web-api-production-us-eastdev-jupyter-john-smith
Systematic VM Naming
- Use descriptive names indicating purpose
- Include environment indicators (dev, staging, prod)
- Add project or team identifiers
- Include version or iteration numbers
Examples:
ml-training-team-alpha-v2web-api-production-us-eastdev-jupyter-john-smith
Logical Environment Organization
- Separate development, staging, and production VMs
- Use different regions for environment isolation
- Implement different access controls per environment
- Coordinate deployment pipelines across environments
Multi-User VM Management
- Shared SSH keys for team access
- Documented VM purposes and configurations
- Coordinated hibernation schedules
- Clear ownership and responsibility assignments
Troubleshooting VM Issues
Common VM Problems
VM Won't Start
VM Won't Start
Startup Issues
- Check VM state and any error messages
- Verify account has sufficient credits
- Ensure attached volumes are healthy
- Contact support for persistent issues
Performance Problems
Performance Problems
Performance Degradation
- Monitor resource utilization metrics
- Check for resource contention
- Verify network connectivity
- Consider VM resizing or optimization
Connectivity Issues
Connectivity Issues
Network and Access Problems
- Verify SSH key configuration
- Check firewall rules and network settings
- Confirm VM has public IP if needed
- Test network connectivity from different locations
State Transition Failures
State Transition Failures
State Change Problems
- Wait for current operations to complete
- Check for conflicting operations
- Verify VM is in appropriate state for operation
- Retry operation after brief delay
Diagnostic Tools and Resources
1
Dashboard Monitoring
- Use real-time status indicators in dashboard
- Monitor resource utilization graphs
- Check error messages and alerts
- Review recent activity logs
2
VM Console Access
- Access VM console for direct troubleshooting
- Check system logs and error messages
- Verify service status and configurations
- Test network connectivity from within VM
3
Support Resources
- Consult troubleshooting documentation
- Contact support with detailed error information
- Provide VM ID and error reproduction steps
- Include relevant screenshots and log excerpts
Regular VM management includes monitoring performance, optimizing costs through hibernation, maintaining security updates, and creating backups. Use the dashboard’s real-time information to make informed decisions about your VM operations.
Take advantage of hibernation to reduce costs by up to 95% for VMs that don’t need to run continuously. This is especially effective for development environments and intermittent processing workloads.