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Cluster

A Cluster is an organizational unit in vHaaS that groups related hardware and compute resources. To access any hardware connected to a Cluster, a Virtual Machine is required — without one, the hardware cannot be reached. A Cluster can be virtual-only (VMs with no physical hardware) or it can contain physical hardware (Assemblies) registered in one or more Partitions.

Each Cluster has:

  • A Cluster reference — a globally unique, immutable identifier in the format [UPPERCASE]-[NUMBER] (e.g. CLUSTER-100, RIG-12). 9–14 characters, enforced by the platform.
  • A Cluster name — an arbitrary display name.
  • An optional location and room for physical placement reference.

What a Cluster contains

  • Assemblies — hardware test setups registered in this Cluster. Assemblies are always assigned to a specific Partition.
  • Cluster Partitions — subdivisions that describe where the physical hardware is located.
  • Virtual Machines — the compute units (EEs) registered under this Cluster. See Set Up a Virtual Machine for how to register one.
  • IP Addresses — network addresses managed at the Cluster level, typically for hardware devices and interfaces within the Cluster.
  • Sensors — monitoring data sources associated with the Cluster's hardware.

Cluster Partitions

A Cluster Partition describes a physical location that contains one or more Assemblies — for example, a network-connected rack in a lab or a desk with one or more Assemblies on it. Partitions capture how many Assembly slots are available at that location.

When an Assembly is registered in vHaaS, it is assigned to both a Cluster and a specific Partition within that Cluster. A single Cluster can have multiple Partitions.

Cluster ownership

In the general case, an organization admin creates and manages their own Cluster, registers hardware in it, and has full admin rights over it. See Manage Clusters for how to set one up.

Managed Resources

Some Clusters are maintained by Vector rather than by the customer's own organization. These appear in the Explorer as Managed Resources. Vector owns and operates the hardware (server rooms, racks, Assemblies), but makes the Assemblies available for customers to use.

As a customer accessing Managed Resources:

  • You can see the Assemblies and use them (book and run sessions).
  • You can view General Information, IP Addresses, and Sensors.
  • You have no admin permissions — you cannot modify the Cluster, manage VMs, or access Monitoring and Logs.

Vector is responsible for the setup, maintenance, and availability of Managed Resource Clusters.

Examples

A Cluster can represent any of the following:

  • A server rack in a lab with multiple Assemblies — each rack position is its own Partition, with VMs on the server providing access to the hardware
  • A single desk with one Assembly — the desk is a Partition, with a single VM for access
  • A server hosting multiple VMs with no physical hardware — a virtual-only Cluster
  • Multiple PCs connected to a VT-System — grouped as one Cluster with a VM per PC