The stack under every CACloud server: hypervisor, network, storage.

Every CACloud line runs on KVM virtualization. The hypervisor is the software layer that turns one physical host into many virtual machines; the table shows what each line adds on top of it.

KVM is an open-source full-virtualisation hypervisor for Linux; the SSD and Enterprise VM lines both use it for its security and performance. Enterprise VM's storage keeps replicas of each object on several hosts and spreads reads across the replicas, so a failed host costs no data. Private Cloud reserves whole nodes for one customer and stores their data on Ceph, which writes every block to more than one node — which is why a production cluster starts at three.

Our team designs, runs and supports every platform we sell, and can manage the virtual machines for you under managed support.

Each cloud server is allocated its own share of CPU cores, memory and SSD storage on enterprise-grade hosts, and you can change that share from the portal.

Windows and Linux are both supported from pre-made operating-system templates, and you keep root or administrator access and a remote console to the machine.

Every server has a direct connection to the CACloud network backbone and uses Tier 1 bandwidth. Traffic is not throttled or shaped. Traffic on the private network, including file storage and host-to-host communication, is never counted against your monthly allowance.

Port speed can be upgraded at any time. Between the host and the internet sit the intrusion prevention devices and the four firewall layers described on the security page, and each customer gets a private VLAN.

The promise is the same on every line: your server does not depend on one disk, or on one machine. Storage is replicated: every write lands on more than one disk and more than one server, so losing a drive or a storage server loses no data.

Enterprise VM adds a second layer of the same idea: each storage object is replicated across several hosts rather than parked inside one chassis, and reads come from whichever copy answers first.

Backups, where enabled, are kept separately from the server they protect. The cloud architecture page explains the storage design.

The hosts above depend on the building around them. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in each data centre uses full particle filtering and humidity control, and the climate is kept within ASHRAE guidelines for IT equipment.

Each site has on-site diesel generators and uninterruptible power systems (UPS). They are tested regularly so they perform as designed in a real outage. The buildings are locked and guarded, watched by closed-circuit television, and entered with pass cards and biometric fingerprint scanners; only authorised CACloud staff reach the equipment.

The per-building facts, including fire suppression and meet-me rooms, are on the data centres page.