This document introduces the basic information about Tencent Cloud Lighthouse (Lighthouse). You can refer to the documentation for more details.
Instances
Virtual computing resources in the cloud include fundamental components such as CPU, operating system, network, and disk. Lighthouse instances are typically suitable for lightweight, low-load application scenarios with moderate traffic, such as small websites, Web applications, blogs, forums, and cloud-based development/testing/learning environments. For instance specifications, refer to Lighthouse - Instance Bundles. If you require a broader range of instance types, such as memory-optimized, high I/O, big data, bare metal, or Cloud GPU Service, to support business scenarios like high-concurrency websites, video encoding/decoding, large-scale games, or complex distributed cluster applications, use the CVM product. For details, refer to CVM - Instance Types. Image Types
An image is a pre-configured template for launching and running Lighthouse instances, containing a pre-installed operating system and software. In simple terms, you can think of an image as the "installation disk" for Lighthouse. You can use an image to create one or multiple Lighthouse instances.
Lighthouse supports the following five image types:
Image Description
An application image provides everything you need to launch a Lighthouse instance, including the OS (CentOS and Windows Server), applications (such as LAMP, WordPress, ASP.NET, and Node.js), their runtime environments, and relevant initialization configuration files. This provides you with an out-of-the-box experience.
Use Cases
This approach is suitable for scenarios requiring rapid application deployment and enables an out-of-the-box experience for applications. After you create a Lighthouse instance using an application image, the application system automatically completes the initial configuration. Users only need to perform a few simple configuration steps to set up the application, eliminating the need for manual installation or software package uploads.
Includes Application Templates
The application templates provided by Lighthouse cover a variety of scenarios, including website building, development, audio/video, containers, and blockchain. To view the currently supported application templates and their versions, follow the steps below:
Go to the Lighthouse purchase page, select Use Application Template under Application Creation Method, and you can then view all currently available application templates and their version information. Image Description
A system image contains only the initial operating system (such as different versions of CentOS, Ubuntu, Windows Server, and so on). It does not include application software, the runtime environment required by applications, or relevant initialization configuration files.
Use Cases
This approach is suitable for users familiar with server operating systems, software installation, and environment configuration. A Lighthouse instance created using a system image has only the initial operating system environment installed. Users can then install software or application systems as needed.
Includes Images
Lighthouse provides a variety of mainstream Linux and Windows Server operating system images. To view the currently supported system images and their versions, follow the steps below:
Go to the Lighthouse purchase page, select Based on OS Image under Application Creation Method, and you can then view all currently available operating systems and their version information. Image Description
A custom image is an image created by a user using the image creation feature. Only its creator can use it.
Use Cases
Select a Lighthouse instance with applications already deployed to create an image. You can then use this image as a template to quickly create more instances.
Includes Images
Image Description
A shared image is an image that has been shared from a CVM to Lighthouse within the same account and region.
Use Cases
It is suitable for the rapid offline migration of services between CVM and Lighthouse. You can also use this image to quickly create instances, obtain the required components from them, and add custom content.
Includes Images
Note:
Tencent Cloud only ensures the normal operation of the operating system and pre-installed environment. The subsequent installation, debugging, and maintenance of third-party software (such as WordPress and Pagoda Panel) are the user's own responsibility.
Network
The network of Lighthouse is built on Tencent Cloud VPC service, providing you with a stable and secure cloud network.
Note::
For more information on the private network connectivity between different Lighthouse instances and between Lighthouse instances and other Tencent Cloud services, please see Region and Network Connectivity. Public IP address
Each Lighthouse instance is assigned a dedicated public IP address and configured with exclusive public network bandwidth (or peak bandwidth) by default upon creation, enabling Internet access. You cannot add additional public IP addresses to the server, but you can replace the existing public IP address.
Public Network Peak Bandwidth
The maximum public network outbound bandwidth limit for Lighthouse instances in Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan (China) and other countries/regions.
Note::
In Instance Plans, it is referred to as "Peak Bandwidth". Peak bandwidth is not a service-level commitment. During peak business hours when resource contention occurs, public network bandwidth may be limited. Therefore, it is not suitable for scenarios that require strong guarantees for public network quality. When Lighthouse instances in Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan (China) and other countries/regions are accessed from mainland China, significant latency and packet loss may occur due to carrier network routing. (Typically, there is no impact during non-cross-border access.)
Private IP address
Each Lighthouse instance is assigned a private IP address by default upon creation, which can be used for communication between different Lighthouse instances.
Multiple Lighthouse instances under the same account and in the same region reside in the same VPC by default. Lighthouse instances in different regions reside in different VPCs.
Private network bandwidth is shared and cannot guarantee sustained stability.
Network isolation can be configured between different Lighthouse instances via firewalls.
Data Disk
Lighthouse plans adopt a data transfer package model. The data transfer package sets a monthly quota for public network traffic (only outbound traffic from the server is counted). If the traffic used by an instance in the current month exceeds the package limit, the excess traffic is billed based on usage. For details, see Billing Overview. Storage
Cloud Block Storage (CBS) is a highly available, reliable, cost-effective, and customizable block storage device that provides efficient and reliable storage for Lighthouse instances. CBS offers block-level persistent storage and is typically used as the primary storage for data that requires frequent, fine-grained updates (such as file systems and databases). It features high availability, reliability, and performance. CBS employs a distributed three-replica mechanism to back up your data across different physical servers, preventing data loss caused by single points of failure and enhancing data reliability.
You can easily purchase and manage your CBS devices via the console. Based on their lifecycle, CBS devices can be categorized as follows:
System disk
The lifecycle of a system disk is fully tied to its Lighthouse instance. It is purchased together with the Lighthouse instance and used as the system disk. Mounting and unmounting are not supported.
The system disks for all Lighthouse plans use Tencent Cloud SSD CBS. They are built on an all-NVMe SSD storage medium and employ a distributed three-replica mechanism, delivering I/O capabilities with low latency, high random IOPS, and high throughput, as well as storage service with data durability of up to 99.9999999%.
Data Disk
The lifecycle of a data disk is independent of its Lighthouse instance. You can purchase a data disk separately and then manually mount it to a Lighthouse instance. Data disks can be mounted to or unmounted from Lighthouse instances within the same AZ at any time. You can mount multiple data disks to the same Lighthouse instance. You can also unmount a data disk from Lighthouse instance A and then mount it to Lighthouse instance B.
Lighthouse data disks support two types: Premium Disk and SSD CBS. You can refer to CBS Types Overview to select the appropriate type based on your needs. Security
Anti-DDoS Basic and CWPP Basic protection are enabled by default at no cost to help users build a server security protection system. Note::
You can log in to the Anti-DDoS console, select Lighthouse Zone at the top of the Anti-DDoS Basic page, and view the Anti-DDoS protection status. You can log in to the CWPP console, select Lighthouse Zone at the top of the Host List page, and view the CWPP protection status for Lighthouse instances.