Frequently Asked Questions for CloudPath.
If your questions are still unanswered, please contact us. We look forward to serving you.
If your questions are still unanswered, please contact us. We look forward to serving you.
CloudPath is Pathway’s solution to private cloud computing. Unlike other public cloud providers who offer cloud services to the general public, CloudPath has been designed to address the specific needs and concerns of businesses: security, privacy, availability and flexibility.
Pathway is the only Canadian Internet service provider offering secure, private cloud services. CloudPath is designed to meet the end-to-end IT infrastructure support needs of businesses – from cloud services to connectivity. Here are some of the differences between CloudPath and other cloud providers:
Pathway is tailored for businesses as a complete, business-oriented cloud service. Most public cloud providers do not customize their services for clients and some large providers don’t even offer live technical support; all contact is via email, or forums.
At Pathway, a Cloud Specialist will help you select the right cloud package so you do not under or over-subscribe. They then set up your secure, high-performance private cloud, create secure connections to your office and help you migrate your systems and applications to the cloud without any downtime or impact on your business. Once your cloud infrastructure is setup, Pathway’s dedicated client care teams are available to address your specific needs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. No other provider offers this level of service.
Unlike the industry trend of metering usage by the hour, we are entirely focused on monthly cloud billing plans.
This eliminates unpredictable bills and simplifies the task of budgeting for cloud costs. Remember, you can add resources, instantly, whenever you need them.
Pathway’s CloudPath prices are absolutely the best in the market on a like-for-like basis.
CloudPath is supplemented by a range of very useful, managed services. These extend the benefits of the cloud and include data back-up, system monitoring, operating system management, network security, application support, internet and branch connectivity and telephony. You will enjoy the convenience of using a single qualified and experienced supplier for all your IT and Internet needs.
Pathway’s cloud infrastructure uses only best-of-breed technology and equipment from industry leaders such Dell, Citrix, Cisco, Brocade, VMware and Cloud.com
Cost savings: No equipment, hardware or software to buy or install. Security: Protect your data and servers using commercial firewalls, IDS/IPS systems and encryption. Productivity: Deploy only the resources you actually need, when you need them. Efficiency: Save time and effort using built-in system management tools, dashboards and reports. Flexibility: Instantly add capacity to meet growth or expansion needs Reliability: Enjoy unmatched uptime in our Tier III Data Center. Dependability: Ensure availability of all your core systems using high-availability and data backups. Efficiency: Infrastructure from world class suppliers like Cisco, Dell, Citrix, Brocade, VMware and Cloud.com. Convenience: Easily access your systems anytime, from anywhere. Transparency: Receive detailed views of resource usage and events on demand. Value: Feel the reassurance of a rock-solid SLA and warranty of service. Peace of mind: Access all your IT management and Internet needs from a single, competent, qualified supplier.
Our cloud pricing plans are extremely attractive, after conducting competitive analysis it became evident that we offer more features and benefits than the majority of our competitors. At Pathway you get what you paid for and this allows us to better utilize our infrastructure and resources to matchup with your business needs. Contact one of our Cloud Services Specialists or Account Managers at 416-214-6363.
Almost everyone can benefit from using the private cloud. Here are some of the industries where cloud technology has been adopted:
Choosing a cloud server configuration can seem complex and confusing because providers use different usage and billing models. Most of these models are based on resources used (e.g. CPU, RAM and storage) by the hour, minute, or day. With other providers you are on your own when it comes to deciding on a cloud plan. To avoid over-subscribing when you order services, we suggest that you check and confirm what resource specifications are demanded by your software applications, what you are currently using and what your immediate growth needs are. This applies to CPUs, RAM and storage. Based on this, we suggest that you:
First select the base CloudPath package that most closely reflects your system requirements.
If you are not sure, start with the one of our basic packages (CloudPath1 or CloudPath2) or build your own customized virtual data centre
Add optional components or managed services as required. Remember: you can always add resources at any time.
Our Cloud Specialists will help you select the plan best suited to your needs. Please call 416-214-6363 to speak with one of our Account Managers. We also offer you a month to monitor your resource usage and decide if you want to scale down. After this you will not be able to scale down until your contract has ended.
Our managed services include OS management, patches, hot fixes and upgrades. We also provide security management (virus and spam control, firewall management and intrusion prevention). Our managed services also include application deployment and management.
You can visit our website and sign up with one of our pre-built cloud plans or customize your virtual data centre. Please feel free to contact us via email or phone 416-214-6363 to speak to a sales representative.
Pathway Secure Cloud Product Features
Availability: network, data center, HVAC and power: 99.999% (scheduled maintenance excluded)
Scheduled maintenance windows with advance notice
Optional services These features are available at preferred prices for Pathway Secure Cloud Service clients:
What cloud management software is provided and what can I do with it?
We use the commercial version of Vcloud Director™ cloud orchestration and management software developed by VMware. This provides a secure web-based administration interface with which you may:
If you need assistance you may contact Technical Support at 416-214-6363.
CloudPath includes free Unix based operating systems such as CentOS and Ubuntu. These can be freely deployed on your virtual servers using the Pathway-provided templates and ISO images available from within the CloudPath console. You may also install Windows Server (2003/2008/2008 R2 or 2012) or Red Hat Linux. We charge a small monthly fee for the use of these commercial packages, but you should note that this includes upgrades to the latest versions at no charge – a considerable saving in costs.
Yes. You may do so by mounting an ISO image of your operating system to the CloudPath Management Console and use it as a template. Please note that you will not be able to install SPLA based commercial Pathway-provided applications on operating systems installed by yourself due to licensing issues.
With CloudPath you are in control of the applications you wish to deploy on your virtual servers. Here are some examples of software that run on our secure cloud:
Check out our website to see what CloudPath plans are recommended for specific applications.
You can install applications on your cloud servers using ISO images. ISO disk images can be created from optical discs such as CDs or DVDs. Using the CloudPath Management Console you will be able to mount an ISO to your virtual machine. This is the virtual equivalent of putting the disc into a computer’s disk drive. After mounting your ISO, you can access the information in that disk image on your virtual server and install your application as you would on a physical computer.
Yes, Pathway offers Windows Server 2002-2012, Red Hat Linux EL5, MS Exchange, MS SQL Server and various other products. Please contact one of our Account Managers at 416-214-6363 or fill out our contact us form.
May I install my own copy of an operating system on a server and then install software purchased from Pathway using Service Provider Licensing (i.e. where you pay by the month instead of buying the software upfront)?
No. If you install your own operating system on a CloudPath virtual server, you must provide the software which resides on the server yourself. If you deploy a virtual server with an operating system drawn from a template provided by Pathway, you have the choice of either using your own application software or Pathway-provided software. Refer to the table below to see what is permitted and not permitted by licensing policies.
No. If you install your own operating system on a CloudPath virtual server, you must provide the software which resides on the server yourself. If you deploy a virtual server with an operating system drawn from a template provided by Pathway, you have the choice of either using your own application software or Pathway-provided software. Refer to the table below to see what is permitted and not permitted by licensing policies.
Templates are pre-configured operating system packages which are ready for deployment on your virtual servers. Templates give you the power to clone your servers in minutes. Templates can also contain pre-installed applications. When creating a new virtual server, you can select from a list of templates that come with CloudPath, or you can also create your own templates.
You may purchase a variety of useful optional features and system components to add to your cloud plan. These include:
Container-based VPS (Advantages)
Your information is backed up nightly with off-site backup management. We ensure redundancy through snapshot-based server images which can be scheduled or on-demand. See Managed Services to read about our various retention periods and backup capacities/sizes.
To make changes to your CloudPath account such as service upgrades, or to add an additional VM, contact your account manager. Your account manager will discuss options with you, adjust your plan accordingly, and get you set up. You may also contact us directly.
How can I get support and what levels of support are available?
Cloud Technical Support will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week every day of the year, via telephone (local to Toronto 416 and 905 area codes) and email. Pathway Support staff will follow an ITIL®-defined system for service response and resolution, which will include:
Contact response targets:
Repair, reconstruction or resolution action commences as follows:
For Data backup, server monitoring, operating system management services, or other custom work please see our Managed Services offerings, or contact us directly.
Data center physical security Pathway will ensure the presence of on-site security guards in the Pathway Data Center at all times, 24/7/365. These staff will follow Pathway’s security policies and procedures, which include, amongst other things, that visitors wear badges and are authorized to visit the premises.
* ITIL is a registered trademark of AXELOS Limited.
We have created pages that outline frequently used procedures and other useful information that will help you get started with Cloudpath. This information is available at docs.pathcom.com. Additional information can be accessed through the VMware Documentation Center.
Pursuant to the terms of the SLA, Pathway will offer you service credits if there is a failure of the service. For full details and conditions please take a look at our SLA.
Do you still have questions? Give us a call at 416-214-6363 or