Welcome to our FAQ for managing instances! Here, we address common questions and issues that users encounter while managing their instances, along with solutions to resolve them efficiently.
Alibaba Cloud ECS instance families are categorized into enterprise-level and shared instance families based on whether the instance families are suitable for enterprise scenarios.Enterprise-level instance families offer consistent performance and dedicated resources . An instance is a virtual server in the cloud that provides computing resources, such as CPU, memory,and storage, to run applications
You can access your instance using Secure Shell (SSH) for Linux instances or Remote Desktop
Protocol (RDP) for Windows instances. Ensure that your instance has a public IP address and
proper firewall rules configured to allow access.
● Log on to the ECS console.
● In the left-side navigation pane, choose Instances & Images > Instances
● In the top navigation bar, select the region and resource group to which the resource
belongs.
● Open the Release dialog box for the instances that you want to release. To release a single
instance, find the instance and choose icon1 > Instance Status > Release in the Actions
column.
● To batch release multiple instances, click the Filter icon at the top of the Billing Method
column and select Pay-as-you-go from the drop-down list. In the displayed list of
pay-as-you-go instances, select the instances that you want to release and choose image >
Release below the instance list.
Release the instances immediately or on a schedule.
a. In the Release dialog box, set the Release Settings parameter and click Next.
■ Release Now: If you select Release Now and confirm the release operation, the
system immediately releases the instances and stops billing for the instances.
■ Release on Schedule: If you select Release on Schedule and specify a point in time
at which to release the instances, the system releases the instances at the specified
point in time and stops billing for them since then.
b. Confirm the associated resources that you want to release or retain, select I am aware of
the instances and their associated resources to be released and understand the data
risks, and then click OK.
Once an instance is terminated, it cannot be recovered. However, if you have enabled instance
backups or snapshots, you can restore the instance from the latest backup or snapshot.
Check the CPU and memory utilization of your instance using monitoring tools provided by your
cloud service provider. If the utilization is high, consider upgrading the instance type to a higher
performance one.
For Linux instances, you can reset the password using the SSH key pair or by accessing the
instance through the console provided by your cloud provider. For Windows instances, you can
reset the password using the management console or PowerShell commands.
You can install software on your instance using package managers like apt (for Ubuntu) or yum
(for CentOS) for Linux instances. For Windows instances, you can use the graphical installer or
PowerShell commands.
Check the security group or firewall rules associated with your instance to ensure that inbound
traffic on the required ports is allowed. Also, verify that the instance has a public IP address
assigned.
Most cloud providers offer monitoring services that allow you to track CPU utilization, memory
usage, disk I/O, and network traffic in real-time. You can also set up alerts to notify you when
certain thresholds are exceeded.
Identify and remove unnecessary files or old log files from your instance. You can also resize
the disk volume or attach additional volumes to increase storage capacity.
Implement security best practices such as regularly updating software, configuring firewalls,
enabling multi-factor authentication, and regularly auditing access controls.
Ensure that the instance is running and reachable over the network. Check the security group or
firewall rules to see if the SSH (port 22) or RDP (port 3389) traffic is allowed. Also, verify that
you are using the correct credentials to authenticate.
Check the network connectivity between your instance and other resources, such as databases
or external services. Use network monitoring tools to identify any bottlenecks or issues in the
network infrastructure
Check the system logs and application logs on your instance for any errors or warnings. Monitor
the CPU and memory utilization to see if the instance is overloaded. Restart the instance if
necessary.
Yes, most cloud providers allow you to resize your instance by changing its instance type or
upgrading its hardware configuration. However, there may be some limitations depending on the
provider and instance type.
You can back up your instance by taking snapshots or creating images of the instance's disk
volumes. Additionally, you can use automated backup services provided by your cloud provider
to schedule regular backups.
High disk I/O can be caused by processes or applications performing intensive read/write
operations. Identify the culprit using monitoring tools and optimize the application or database
configuration to reduce disk I/O
You can transfer files using SCP or SFTP for Linux instances or using tools like WinSCP for
Windows instances. Alternatively, you can use cloud storage services to transfer files between
your instance and other cloud resources.
You can upgrade the operating system by creating a new instance with the latest OS version
and migrating your data and applications to the new instance. Make sure to backup your data
before performing the upgrade.
Yes, you can change the hostname of your instance by modifying the appropriate configuration
files in the operating system. For Linux instances, you can typically edit the /etc/hostname file
and then restart the system or use the hostname command to change it temporarily.
For Linux instances, you can configure automatic updates using package manager tools like
unattended-upgrades for Ubuntu or yum-cron for CentOS. For Windows instances, you can
enable automatic updates through the Windows Update settings.
Immediately disconnect the compromised instance from the network to prevent further damage.
Restore the instance from a known good backup or snapshot, and then perform a thorough
security audit to identify and patch any vulnerabilities.
Most cloud providers allow you to create custom images from your instances, which you can
then use to launch new instances with the same configuration. Follow the documentation
provided by your cloud provider to create a custom image.
Check the system logs and console output for any error messages that indicate the cause of the
boot failure. Common issues include corrupted boot files, misconfigured boot parameters, or
hardware failures.
Use tools like df (for Linux) or Disk Management (for Windows) to monitor disk usage and
identify any filesystems that are running out of space. You can also set up alerts to notify you
when disk usage exceeds a certain threshold.
Yes, most cloud providers allow you to attach additional disk volumes to your instance to
increase storage capacity. Follow the documentation provided by your cloud provider to attach
and configure additional volumes
Check the memory usage of running processes using tools like top (for Linux) or Task Manager
(for Windows). Identify any memory-intensive processes and consider optimizing or scaling
them to reduce memory usage.
Configure logging for system services and applications using tools like syslog (for Linux) or
Event Viewer (for Windows). Ensure that logs are stored in a centralized location and rotated
regularly to prevent them from consuming excessive disk space.
Yes, most cloud providers allow you to migrate your instance to a different region within the
same cloud platform. Follow the documentation provided by your cloud provider for instructions
on how to initiate a region migration.
Static IP addresses can typically be assigned to instances using the management console or
command-line tools provided by your cloud provider. Ensure that the IP address is reserved and
not subject to change.
Implementing high availability involves configuring redundant resources and failover
mechanisms to ensure continuous operation in the event of failures. Consider using load
balancers, auto-scaling groups, and distributed architectures for high availability.
Yes, most cloud providers allow you to downgrade the instance type to a lower performance or
lower cost tier. However, be aware that downsizing may impact performance, so evaluate the
implications carefully before making changes
You can configure custom DNS settings by modifying the network configuration files on your
instance and specifying the desired DNS servers. Alternatively, you can use the DNS
management tools provided by your cloud provider.
Update the application using the appropriate package manager or installer provided by the
application vendor. Make sure to backup any data or configuration files before performing the
update to avoid data loss.
Check the network configuration and firewall settings on your instance to ensure that ICMP
traffic (used for ping requests) is allowed. Additionally, verify that the instance is reachable over
the network and has a valid IP address assigned.
Configure SSL/TLS encryption by obtaining an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority
and installing it on your web server. Follow best practices for SSL/TLS configuration to ensure
secure communication between clients and your web application.
High CPU steal time can be caused by overprovisioning of virtual CPU resources on the host
system or contention with other virtual machines running on the same physical hardware.
Consider resizing the instance or migrating to a different host with lower contention.
Yes, most cloud providers allow you to customize firewall rules to control inbound and outbound
traffic to your instance. Use the management console or command-line tools provided by your
cloud provider to configure firewall rules.
Configure automatic scaling using auto-scaling groups or similar mechanisms provided by your
cloud provider. Define scaling policies based on metrics such as CPU utilization or network
traffic.
You can configure email notifications for system alerts by setting up a mail transfer agent (MTA)
such as Postfix or Sendmail on your instance and configuring it to forward system alerts to your
email address. Additionally, you can use third-party monitoring services that offer email alerting
capabilities.
Optimizing web server performance involves various strategies such as caching, compression,
and tuning server parameters. Configure caching mechanisms like Varnish or Redis, enable
compression for static assets and adjust server settings based on workload and traffic patterns.
Ensure that outbound network traffic is not restricted by firewall rules or network access control
lists (ACLs). Check the routing configuration on your instance to ensure that it has proper
connectivity to external services, and verify that the services/APIs are accessible from your
network.
Configure scheduled tasks or cron jobs by creating cron job entries in the crontab file for Linux
instances or using Task Scheduler for Windows instances. Define the schedule and command
to be executed, and ensure that the tasks are properly configured and executed as expected.
Configure remote logging by setting up a syslog server or using cloud-based logging services
that support remote log collection. Configure the logging daemon on your instance to forward
logs to the remote server or service, and monitor logs centrally for analysis and troubleshooting.
Check the time synchronization settings on your instance to ensure that it is configured to use
NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers for time synchronization. Verify that the NTP service is
running and reachable, and check for any network connectivity issues that may be affecting time
synchronization.
Configure load balancing by setting up a load balancer service provided by your cloud provider
or using third-party load balancing solutions. Define backend pools consisting of multiple
instances running your web application, and configure load balancing rules to distribute
incoming traffic evenly across the instances.
Configure backup retention policies by defining the frequency and duration of backups to retain
based on your data retention requirements and compliance policies. Use backup management
tools provided by your cloud provider to set up automated backups and retention policies for
your instance
Configure VPN connectivity by setting up a VPN gateway or VPN server on your instance and
configuring VPN client software on remote devices to establish secure VPN connections. Follow
the documentation provided by your VPN solution to configure VPN settings and establish
connectivity.
Resolve package dependencies by installing missing dependencies using package manager
tools like apt or yum, or by manually downloading and installing required packages from trusted
sources. Ensure that all dependencies are satisfied before installing or upgrading software
packages on your instance.
Configure disk encryption by using built-in encryption features provided by your operating
system or by using third-party disk encryption software. Encrypt the entire disk volume or
specific partitions to protect sensitive data stored on your instance from unauthorized access.
Integrate external monitoring and alerting tools with your instance by installing monitoring
agents or using APIs provided by the tools. Configure custom metrics and alerting thresholds
based on your specific monitoring requirements, and integrate with notification channels such as
email or SMS for timely alerts.
Configure custom access logs for your web server by editing the server configuration files to
specify the format and location of the access logs. Customize log formats to include additional
information such as user agents, referrer URLs, or response times for detailed analysis and
monitoring.
Alibaba Cloud does not typically charge for instance migration within the same region or
availability zone. However, users should consider potential costs associated with data transfer,
storage, and resource provisioning for migrated instances.
Troubleshoot high swap usage by identifying memory-intensive processes using tools like top or
htop, optimizing memory usage by tuning application settings or adding more RAM to the
instance, and monitoring swap activity to prevent excessive swapping that can impact
performance.
Configure custom resource limits for Docker containers by specifying CPU, memory, or I/O limits
using Docker run or Docker-compose configuration files. Define resource constraints based on
container requirements and available resources on the instance to ensure optimal performance
and resource utilization.
Mitigate high CPU steal time by optimizing instance scheduling and placement in virtualized
environments, adjusting CPU allocation settings or instance types to reduce contention with
other virtual machines, and monitoring hypervisor metrics for insights into resource utilization
and performance bottlenecks
Prevent DNS cache poisoning by implementing DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security
Extensions) to cryptographically sign DNS records and verify their authenticity, configuring DNS
resolvers to use trusted DNSSEC-enabled servers, and regularly updating DNS software and
patches to mitigate security vulnerabilities.
Configure automatic certificate renewal by using certificate management tools like Let's Encrypt
or Certbot to obtain and renew SSL/TLS certificates automatically, setting up cron jobs or
scheduled tasks to periodically check for certificate expiration and initiate renewal if necessary.
Identify and remove large files on your instance by using disk usage analysis tools like du or
WinDirStat to scan filesystems and identify directories or files consuming significant disk space.
Delete or archive unnecessary files to free up disk space and optimize storage utilization.
To troubleshoot high memory usage, you can start by identifying memory-intensive processes
using tools like top (for Linux) or Task Manager (for Windows). Once identified, you can optimize
memory usage by adjusting application settings, tuning memory allocation, or adding more RAM
to the instance if necessary
To configure a custom domain name for your instance, you'll need to register a domain name
through a domain registrar, configure DNS records to point to your instance's IP address or
hostname, and update your instance's web server or DNS settings to recognize the custom
domain.
To diagnose frequent crashes, you can review system logs, examine crash dump files (if
available), monitor system resource usage (CPU, memory, disk), and analyze any error
messages or warning signs leading up to the crashes. Common causes include hardware
failures, software bugs, or resource exhaustion.
To configure scheduled backups for specific directories, you can use backup utilities or scripts to
create backups of the desired directories at regular intervals. Schedule the backups using cron
jobs (for Linux) or Task Scheduler (for Windows) and ensure that backups are stored securely
To improve slow network performance, you can optimize network settings (such as TCP/IP
parameters), upgrade network hardware (NICs, switches), optimize network protocols (use of
compression, caching), and monitor network traffic for bottlenecks or congestion.
To configure custom user permissions and access controls, you can use built-in security
mechanisms (such as file permissions, user groups) provided by the operating system,
implement role-based access control (RBAC) policies, and leverage third-party identity and
access management (IAM) solutions if applicable.
To troubleshoot kernel panics, you can analyze kernel logs (such as dmesg), review crash dump
files (if available), monitor hardware health (CPU temperature, memory errors), and perform
diagnostic tests (such as memory tests, hardware diagnostics) to identify potential causes.
To configure custom routing rules, you can use routing tables and policy-based routing (PBR)
mechanisms provided by the operating system. Define routing policies based on
source/destination IP addresses, network interfaces, or traffic types to control the flow of
network traffic.
To troubleshoot database connection timeouts, you can check database server logs for error
messages, review network configurations (such as firewall rules, network latency), monitor
database connection pools for resource exhaustion, and optimize database connection settings
(such as connection timeouts, pool sizes).
To configure custom health checks and auto-recovery mechanisms, you can use health
monitoring services provided by cloud platforms or third-party monitoring tools, define health
check endpoints and criteria (such as HTTP status codes, response times), and configure
automated recovery actions (such as instance reboot, failover) based on health check results.
To configure custom HTTP headers for enhanced security, you can edit web server
configuration files to add security-related HTTP headers (such as Content-Security-Policy,
X-Frame-Options, X-XSS-Protection), define header directives to prevent common web
vulnerabilities (such as XSS, clickjacking), and enforce strict security policies for HTTP
responses.
To troubleshoot SSL certificate validation errors, you can verify SSL certificate chain and
expiration dates, check certificate revocation status (CRL/OCSP), ensure that the correct
intermediate and root certificates are installed, review SSL handshake logs for error messages,
and use SSL/TLS testing tools to diagnose certificate validation issues.
To troubleshoot SSL certificate validation errors, you can verify SSL certificate chain and
expiration dates, check certificate revocation status (CRL/OCSP), ensure that the correct
intermediate and root certificates are installed, review SSL handshake logs for error messages,
and use SSL/TLS testing tools to diagnose certificate validation issues.
To configure content caching, you can enable caching mechanisms (such as HTTP caching
headers, reverse proxy caching) on your web server, define cache expiration policies and cache
control directives, leverage content delivery networks (CDNs) for distributed caching, and
monitor cache hit rates and performance metrics for optimization.
To configure multi-factor authentication (MFA), you can integrate MFA solutions (such as Google
Authenticator, Duo Security) with authentication services (such as SSH, PAM, RADIUS), enable
MFA options for user accounts, define MFA policies (such as token expiration, recovery
options), and enforce additional authentication factors (such as OTP codes, biometric
authentication) for enhanced security
You can create a VPC through the Alibaba Cloud Console. Navigate to the VPC section, click
"Create VPC," specify the VPC details including CIDR block, and configure additional settings
such as VSwitches and route tables as needed.
OSS Bucket is a basic storage unit in Alibaba Cloud Object Storage Service (OSS). It serves as
a container for storing data objects such as files, images, videos, and backups. Buckets can be
configured with various access permissions and lifecycle policies.
To create an OSS Bucket, log in to the Alibaba Cloud Console, navigate to the OSS section,
click "Create Bucket," specify the bucket name, region, and access control settings. You can
further configure features like logging, versioning, and lifecycle management.
Setting up monitoring with CloudMonitor involves configuring monitoring tasks for various
Alibaba Cloud services such as ECS, RDS, and OSS. Navigate to the CloudMonitor console,
select the desired service, configure metrics, set up alarm rules, and specify notification
methods to receive alerts.
To create an IAM role, log in to the Alibaba Cloud Console, navigate to the RAM (Resource
Access Management) section, click "Roles," and then "Create Role." Specify the trusted entity
(such as an Alibaba Cloud service or another Alibaba Cloud account), define permissions using
policies, and complete the role creation process.
Alibaba Cloud offers a variety of database options including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server,
Redis, MongoDB, and PolarDB, among others.
To deploy a database using DCS, follow these steps:
Log in to the Alibaba Cloud Console.
Navigate to the Database Container Service (DCS) section.
Click on "Create Instance" to start the deployment process.
Select the desired database type (e.g., MySQL, Redis) and version.
Configure instance specifications such as CPU, memory, and storage capacity.
Set up network and security settings including VPC, VSwitch, and access control.
Review and confirm the configuration details, then click "Create" to deploy the database
instance.
Alibaba Cloud offers features such as automatic failover, data replication, and backup and
recovery options to ensure high availability and data durability for deployed databases. Utilize
these features to design resilient and reliable database architectures.
Best practices for securing a deployed database include:
Implementing strong access control measures using IAM roles and permissions.
Enabling encryption for data in transit and at rest.
Regularly applying security patches and updates to the database software.
Configuring network security groups and firewalls to restrict unauthorized access.
Monitoring database activity and auditing logs for suspicious behavior
Yes, Alibaba Cloud provides encryption options for data stored in databases. You can enable
encryption at the storage level using Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) or encrypt specific
columns within the database.
Access control for Alibaba Cloud databases can be configured through the Identity and Access
Management (IAM) service. You can create IAM users and roles with specific permissions, and
assign them to database resources accordingly.
Alibaba Cloud Database Backup Service enables automated backups of database instances,
providing data protection against accidental deletion, corruption, or system failures. By regularly
backing up data to secure storage, you can ensure data availability and recovery in the event of
security incidents.
Alibaba Cloud offers DDoS protection services that help mitigate Distributed Denial of Service
(DDoS) attacks targeting database instances. These services include traffic scrubbing, rate
limiting, and intelligent traffic analysis to detect and block malicious traffic.
Yes, Alibaba Cloud databases comply with various security standards and certifications,
including ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and GDPR, demonstrating adherence to industry best
practices and regulatory requirements.
Alibaba Cloud offers flexible billing options tailored to different usage patterns and customer
needs. Here are some common billing policies:
Alibaba Cloud services are primarily offered under a pay-as-you-go model, where customers are
charged based on their actual usage of resources such as compute instances, storage, and
data transfer.
Yes, Alibaba Cloud also offers subscription-based billing options, allowing customers to prepay
for resources at a discounted rate for a fixed term, typically ranging from one month to three
years.
Pay-as-you-go services are billed based on actual resource consumption, measured in terms of
usage hours, data transfer volume, or other relevant metrics. Customers are billed at the end of
each billing cycle for the resources consumed.
Several factors can influence the cost of Alibaba Cloud services, including:
Type and size of resources provisioned (e.g., instance type, storage capacity).
Duration of resource usage (for pay-as-you-go services).
Data transfer volume and network bandwidth usage.
Geographic region and availability zone where resources are deployed.
Additional features or premium services utilized.
Yes, Alibaba Cloud offers a Free Trial program for new users, providing access to a range of
services and resources with limited usage quotas for a specified trial period. Additionally, some
services may offer perpetual free tiers with certain usage restrictions.
Customers can access detailed billing and usage information through the Alibaba Cloud
Console. The Billing Management section provides real-time usage data, billing statements, and
cost analysis tools for tracking expenses and optimizing resource allocation.
Yes, Alibaba Cloud provides cost optimization tools and recommendations to help customers
manage their cloud spending effectively. This includes features such as Budget Alerts, Auto
Scaling, and Trusted Advisor, which offer insights and suggestions for optimizing resource
usage and reducing costs.
The billing cycle for Alibaba Cloud services typically follows a monthly cycle, with billing
statements generated at the beginning of each month for the previous month's usage.
Customers are billed in arrears for pay-as-you-go services and in advance for
subscription-based services.
Alibaba Cloud may apply overage charges or throttling measures for resource usage that
exceeds predefined limits or quotas. Customers are advised to monitor their usage closely and
adjust resource allocations as needed to avoid unexpected charges.
Alibaba Cloud ECS instance families are categorized into enterprise-level and shared instance
families based on whether the instance families are suitable for enterprise scenarios.
Enterprise-level instance families offer consistent performance and dedicated resources . An
instance is a virtual server in the cloud that provides computing resources, such as CPU, memory,
and storage, to run applications.
You may consider migrating instances when:
Upgrading hardware or changing instance types for better performance.
Consolidating resources or redistributing workloads
Instance migration can be performed using various methods, including:
Live migration: Alibaba Cloud's live migration feature enables seamless migration of instances
without service interruption.
Manual migration: Users can manually create a new instance and migrate data and applications
from the old instance to the new one.
Automated migration: Alibaba Cloud offers migration tools and services that automate the
migration process, simplifying the transition.
Alibaba Cloud ECS instance families are categorized into enterprise-level and shared instance
families based on whether the instance families are suitable for enterprise scenarios.
Enterprise-level instance families offer consistent performance and dedicated resources . An
instance is a virtual server in the cloud that provides computing resources, such as CPU, memory,
and storage, to run applications.
Before migrating instances, users should:
Ensure compatibility between source and target environments, including instance types,
operating systems, and applications.
Backup critical data and applications to mitigate the risk of data loss or service interruption
during migration.
Plan the migration schedule to minimize impact on production workloads and users.
Alibaba Cloud provides monitoring and logging features that enable users to track the progress
of instance migration, including:
Real-time status updates through the Alibaba Cloud Console or API.
Logging and auditing of migration activities for troubleshooting and compliance purposes.
Performance metrics and health checks to ensure the successful completion of migration tasks.
Best practices for instance migration include:
Conducting thorough planning and testing to identify dependencies and potential risks.
Implementing rollback procedures and contingency plans to address unexpected issues.
Communicating with stakeholders and users to manage expectations and minimize disruptions.
Monitoring performance and resource utilization post-migration to optimize configurations and
address any issues promptly.
Alibaba Cloud provides comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support resources to
assist users with instance migration. Users can access migration guides, best practices, and
community forums for additional guidance and assistance.
At ALG Cloud Services, we’re committed to providing top-notch cloud solutions tailored to your business needs. With our expertise in private and public cloud computing, consulting, delivery, migration, and optimization, we ensure seamless integration and optimal performance. Contact us today to embark on your journey towards digital transformation and business success.
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