Documentation

ZunoX Cloud User Guide

Learn how to set up your virtual lab environment, deploy applications, and make the most of ZunoX Cloud infrastructure.

01 / Getting Started

Welcome to ZunoX Cloud

ZunoX Cloud provides a modern platform for deploying and managing virtual lab environments. Whether you're running a personal HomeLab or managing an institutional SchoolLab, our infrastructure is designed to scale with your needs.

This guide walks you through the essential steps to get your lab up and running.

System Requirements

  • Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
  • Stable internet connection (minimum 2 Mbps recommended)
  • SSH client (optional, for advanced access)
  • Docker or container runtime (for containerized deployments)
Tip: For optimal performance, use a wired connection when possible and ensure your firewall doesn't block SSH or custom application ports.
02 / Account Setup

Creating Your Account

Step 1: Request Access

  1. Visit the Registration page from the login screen
  2. Choose between Home Lab (personal instance) or School Lab (institutional access)
  3. Fill in your details: Full name, email, and Ghanaian mobile number
  4. For School Lab, provide your institution name and student index
  5. Submit your registration request

Step 2: Account Approval

After submission, our team reviews your request within 1-2 business days. You'll receive a confirmation email with your login credentials and lab access details.

Step 3: First Login

  1. Visit the login page and enter your Student ID or email
  2. Check the "Remember this device" option for convenient access
  3. Click "Continue to Lab" to enter your dashboard
03 / Lab Access

Accessing Your Lab Environment

Your ZunoX Cloud lab dashboard provides a centralized hub for managing all your infrastructure and resources.

Dashboard Overview

Virtual Servers

View and manage your deployed VMs, check resource usage, and monitor performance metrics in real time.

Networking

Configure network settings, manage firewall rules, and set up VPN connections for secure access.

Storage

Access S3-compatible object storage for backups, configurations, and media files.

Logs

Review activity logs, audit trails, and system events for troubleshooting and compliance.

Web Terminal Access

Use the built-in web terminal for quick access without SSH configuration. Simply click on a running server and select "Open Terminal" to start executing commands immediately.

Pro Tip: Web terminal access is perfect for quick tasks, but SSH is recommended for sustained development work and secure file transfers.
04 / Features

Core Features & How to Use Them

Virtual Machines (VMs)

Deploy lightweight Linux-based virtual servers optimized for learning and experimentation.

  • Available configurations: 1-2 vCPUs, 2-4GB RAM, 20-100GB storage
  • Pre-configured OS images: Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian
  • Instant provisioning: New servers are ready in under 2 minutes
  • One-click re-imaging to reset your server to a clean state

Docker & Containers

Run containerized applications without the overhead of full virtual machines.

# Deploy a container with Docker Compose docker compose up -d # View running containers docker ps # Access logs docker logs <container-name>

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Use Terraform or OpenTofu to define and deploy your infrastructure in code, making it reproducible and version-controlled.

# Initialize Terraform terraform init # Plan your deployment terraform plan # Apply the configuration terraform apply
05 / Deployment

Deploying Your Applications

Manual Deployment

  1. Launch a new VM from the dashboard
  2. Connect via web terminal or SSH
  3. Install dependencies and clone your repository
  4. Start your application

Automated Deployment

Use Terraform scripts to automate the entire process:

# Example Terraform deployment terraform apply -var="instance_count=3" # Destroy when finished terraform destroy

Scaling Your Lab

  • Start small: Deploy a single instance to test your configuration
  • Monitor: Check resource usage and performance metrics
  • Scale up: Add more instances as your needs grow
  • Optimize: Adjust resource allocation based on actual usage
06 / Networking

Network Configuration & Security

Firewall Rules

Configure inbound and outbound traffic rules to secure your instances:

  • Allow SSH access only from trusted IPs
  • Open application ports (HTTP: 80, HTTPS: 443, Custom: as needed)
  • Restrict databases to internal network access only
  • Enable DDoS protection for public-facing services

VPN & Secure Access

Use overlay networks like WireGuard or Tailscale for secure communication between local machines and cloud instances:

# Connect to lab via WireGuard wg-quick up /etc/wireguard/lab.conf # Verify connection ip addr show wg0
Security Best Practice: Always use VPN for production labs and sensitive data. Never expose administrative interfaces to the public internet.
07 / Storage & Backup

Managing Data and Backups

S3-Compatible Object Storage

Store configuration files, database backups, and media in scalable object storage:

# Sync files to S3 aws s3 sync ./local-data s3://my-lab-backup/ # Download from S3 aws s3 cp s3://my-lab-backup/config.tar.gz . # List objects aws s3 ls s3://my-lab-backup/

Backup Strategy

  • Daily backups: Automate daily snapshots of critical VMs
  • Database exports: Export databases to S3 weekly
  • Configuration versioning: Keep Terraform files in Git
  • Off-site storage: Store important backups outside your lab
Remember: Regular backups are essential. Test your recovery process at least once a month to ensure backups are valid.
08 / Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Can't Connect to VM

  • Check firewall rules: Ensure SSH (port 22) is open for your IP
  • Verify VM status: Confirm the instance is running from the dashboard
  • Test network: Use `ping` to check connectivity
  • SSH key issues: Make sure you're using the correct private key

High Resource Usage

  • Monitor processes: Use `top` or `htop` to identify resource hogs
  • Check disk space: Run `df -h` to see available storage
  • Review logs: Check application logs for errors or excessive activity
  • Upgrade resources: Scale up your instance if needed

Application Won't Start

  • Check dependencies: Verify all required packages are installed
  • Port conflicts: Ensure the port isn't already in use (`netstat -tuln`)
  • Permission issues: Confirm your user has necessary file permissions
  • Configuration errors: Validate your application config files

Network Connectivity Problems

  • Ping test: `ping 8.8.8.8` to check internet access
  • DNS resolution: Test `nslookup google.com`
  • Route table: Use `ip route` to verify routing configuration
  • Contact support: If issues persist, reach out to our team
Need Help? Contact our support team at support@zunx.cloud or visit the Support Center.