Getting Started with Spinup

Owned by Kay Ratanasaka
Last updated: Oct 08, 2024 by Kraig Eisenman
2 min read

As the demand for cloud services continues to grow within the academic and research sectors, Yale University has developed Spinup, a cutting-edge platform designed to meet the unique needs of the Yale community. Created by Yale's IT Cloud Engineering team, Spinup offers a user-friendly, secure, and efficient way to provision and manage cloud resources.

Core Features of Spinup

Speed and Simplicity

Spinup prioritizes speed and simplicity, allowing users to set up servers in minutes without requiring external intervention. The platform's intuitive design eliminates the need for users to navigate complex terminology and options, providing a streamlined experience that doesn't overwhelm even those new to cloud computing.

Exclusive Yale Benefits

Spinup offers several exclusive benefits for Yale users:

  • Direct Connect: A dedicated network connection from Yale to AWS ensures faster, private connectivity, optimizing performance and security.

  • Enhanced Security: Spinup servers are protected behind the Yale Enterprise firewall, providing an additional layer of security to safeguard your data and applications.

  • Seamless Integration: Being on the Yale network allows for easy access to essential services like email, directory, and storage shares, streamlining your workflow.

Community Support

One of the key advantages of using Spinup is the supportive community of fellow users and developers. The dedicated Slack chatroom provides a platform for users to seek help, share tips, and learn from others' experiences, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits everyone.

Transparent Pricing and Comprehensive Backups

With Spinup, there are no hidden costs or surprises. Users are charged just as they would be on AWS, ensuring transparency and predictability in pricing. Additionally, Spinup offers a "TryIT" free option, renewable every 30 days, allowing users to explore the platform without incurring costs.

To provide peace of mind, Spinup conducts daily backups of servers, retaining data for up to 14 days. This comprehensive backup system ensures that your data is protected and can be easily recovered if needed.

Getting Started with Spinup

To start using Spinup, follow these simple steps:

  1. Log in to Spinup at https://spinup.internal.yale.edu/. (Note: You must be connected to Yale's network to access the platform).

  2. Create a "Space" to organize your resources (see the article Understanding and Using Spaces in SpinUp for more information).

  3. Add an SSH Key to your profile to enable secure access to your servers (see the tutorial How do I add an SSH Key in Spinup? for guidance).

  4. From your new Space, you can create resources, manage backups and firewalls, set budgets, and view costs associated with your resources.

Help and Support

For users seeking assistance or looking to expand their knowledge of Spinup, a wealth of resources is available. The FAQ section provides detailed information on common topics, while the "Getting Started" tutorials offer step-by-step guidance for new users. Additionally, the built-in "Help" option within Spinup provides further assistance and documentation.

By leveraging Spinup, Yale community members can harness the power of cloud computing with ease, knowing that they have the support and resources needed to succeed. Start exploring Spinup today and discover how it can transform the way you work with cloud services.