How to Create a Private Network Using Cudos Intercloud

Creating a private network in Cudos Intercloud offers enhanced security for your virtual machines (VMs) and reduces costs associated with public IP addresses. This article will walk you through the process of creating a private network, deploying virtual machines in it, and accessing them securely. This guide will cover the necessary steps and considerations you need to get started.

Why Create a Private Network?

Private networks are crucial when you want to keep your virtual machines (VMs) isolated from the public internet. By using a private network, your VMs are shielded from external attacks, which enhances the security of sensitive data and reduces the risk of cyber threats. Additionally, private networks can help save costs, as you won’t need to expose each VM to the internet, which eliminates the need for extra public IP addresses.

Step 1: Log Into Your Cudos Intercloud Account

The first step is to log into your Cudos Intercloud account. If you don’t already have an account, you will need to create one. After logging in, you’ll be taken to the Cudos Intercloud dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Networks Page

From the Cudos Intercloud dashboard, go to the Networks section. This can be found in the top navigation menu. Click on this option to manage the networks you create.

Step 3: Create a New Network

Click on “Create a Network”:
Once you are on the Networks page, you will see an option to create a new network. Click on this button to start the network creation process.
Choose the Network Location:
Cudos Intercloud allows you to create networks in different data centers. You will need to select the data center where your private network will reside. Private networks are specific to the data center they are created in, so it’s important to choose a location that matches your deployment needs.
Assign a Network Name:
Give your private network a unique name. This will help you identify it later when you are deploying virtual machines or managing your network resources.
Set the Subnet:
You will need to define the IP address range (subnet) for your private network. This subnet will be used to assign IP addresses to the VMs that will reside in your private network. Ensure that the subnet range does not conflict with other networks you may have deployed.
- Note: Currently, Cudos Intercloud uses IPv4 for private networks, so make sure to use an IPv4 address range.

Step 4: Review and Confirm

Once you’ve entered all the necessary details, review your choices, and confirm that everything looks correct. Click Create to finalize the creation of your private network. It should only take a few moments for the network to be set up.

Step 5: Deploy Virtual Machines in Your Private Network

Now that you have created a private network, it’s time to deploy virtual machines (VMs) within it.

Go to the VM Creation Page:
Navigate to the page where you create new virtual machines. In Cudos Intercloud, this is typically located under the Compute section.

Select the Private Network:
When configuring your virtual machine, you will be prompted to choose a network. Here, you should select the private network that you just created from the dropdown list.

Configure the VM:
Fill in the required details for the virtual machine, such as its size, operating system, and other configuration options. You can optionally assign a public IP address if you want the VM to be reachable from the internet.

Deploy the VM:
Once all configuration settings are in place, click Deploy to create your virtual machine within the private network. This VM will be secured and isolated from the public internet.

Step 6: Set Up a Jump Host (First-Time Access)

To access a virtual machine in a private network, you will need to use a jump host. The jump host acts as a gateway to your private network.

Create a Jump Host:
When you first deploy a VM within your private network, you’ll need to create a second VM in the same network that has a public IP address. This VM will serve as the jump host.
Accessing the Private Network Using SSH:
You will need to SSH into the jump host using the public IP address. After logging into the jump host, you can use SSH again to access the other VMs in the private network.
- Example command:
```
  ssh -J root@<jump_host_public_ip> root@<private_vm_ip>
```

Step 7: Secure and Manage Your Private Network

Once your private network and VMs are set up, there are a few best practices to keep in mind:

Shutdown or Delete Jump Host:
For extra security, you can shut down or delete the jump host after you’re done using it. This ensures that no external access points remain open when they’re not needed.
Use Reverse SSH Proxy:
If you prefer, you can set up a reverse SSH proxy, where the VM itself establishes an outbound connection to a remote server, eliminating the need for a dedicated jump host. However, this method requires additional setup and security considerations.
Regular Monitoring and Audits:
Regularly monitor your private network and virtual machines to ensure everything is running smoothly and securely. This includes checking for unauthorized access attempts, monitoring performance metrics, and auditing logs.

Step 8: Billing Considerations

Private networks are billed separately from virtual machines. Here are the key billing points to keep in mind:

Private Network Charges:
Private networks are typically billed on an hourly basis. The exact cost depends on the data center where your network is located, but it is usually around $0.0045 per hour.
IP Address Charges:
Public IP addresses are also billed separately, typically at $0.0035 per hour. If you deploy multiple VMs within your private network and avoid assigning public IP addresses, you can significantly reduce your costs.

Conclusion

Creating and managing a private network in Cudos Intercloud is a simple yet effective way to improve security and reduce costs. By isolating your virtual machines from the public internet, you can ensure that your applications are more secure and easier to manage. Additionally, by deploying your VMs in private networks, you can avoid the added cost of public IP addresses, which is especially useful if you’re managing multiple machines.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to create your private network and deploy virtual machines within it in just a few easy steps. Secure your infrastructure and optimize your setup with the flexibility of Cudos Intercloud!