Chargeback issues

[nergal]

Hi,

We have been struggling with several issues with chargeback with vCloud.

1. We want to charge a fixed cost for each external IP used per VM. Is this possible with Chargeback?

2. We have 3 different storage tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and we want to charge different for disk read/write for each of them. Is this even possible?

3. We also want to include a certain amount of data read/write and network transfer/receive per month for an organisation in vCloud. So we want to set allocation units for each organisation and then add base rates with overage (free up to allocation and over allocation set a cost). Do we have to set these allocation units per VM under the organisation or is it enough to set them for the organisation only?

4. We've seen that when we have the allocation units with overage base rates and generate a cost or utilization report, we get the disk read/write, network rx/tx usage as a summary for the whole organisation and pay as you go pool (in this case). We want them to be per VM. When we generate a regular report without base rate overage and allocation units we get the disk and network usage per VM. Can someone please explain how to solve this without setting allocation units per VM.

5. Let's assume that we want to include a certain amount of vCPU and Memory in a pricing model. We've seen that chargeback data collector seems to add allocation units for each VM based on the VM allocation in vCloud. Are allocation units actually correct to use in order to include a certain amount of resources?

The reason why we don't want to set allocation units per VM is that we don't know when a client create new VMs.

Thanks in advance!

[PramodCV]

Hi Nergal,

Apologies for comming back late on your query.

Please find the below answers for your questions number - 1,2,3. I need more info on 4th and 5th questions.

1. We want to charge a fixed cost for each external IP used per VM. Is this possible with Chargeback?

                  No, Currently ChargeBack cannot charge FC for each IP used per VM as Charge Backdoes not store external IP related information. ChargeBack applies the defined rates for the External Network accessed but not for specific external IP used by VM.

                    However, Charge Back can apply FC for External Network accessed. This can be achieved as mentioned below,

1. Tag the VM's which access the External Network by adding a attribute at hierarchy level. Creating a FC cost with desired value add to
   pricing model and Under Rules Tab of Pricing Model configure FC to applied to the Attribute which is created in point 1.  

Once the report is generated, One time FC is charged for Vm's which accessed External Network with the help of Attribute.           

2. We have 3 different storage tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and we want to charge different for disk read/write for each of them. Is this even possible?

                Yes, this is possible in ChargeBack. Under Settings we need to select Profile based "Storage Infrastructure Costing" as profile based. And then we need Create a Pricing model which is configured to bill for Disk read/write. And then go to "Configure cost" tab --> "Edit Infrastructure cost"
and select storage profile and assign the Pricing model.

Now, We have configured ChargeBack to bill for a Particular Storage policy for Disk Read/Write. (Note- This can be done only when CBM-VC config and not CBM-VCD config)

3. We also want to include a certain amount of data read/write and network transfer/receive per month for an organisation in vCloud. So we want to set allocation units for each organisation and then add base rates with overage (free up to allocation and over allocation set a cost). Do we have to set these allocation units per VM under the organisation or is it enough to set them for the organisation
only?

       Yes, Query in Point3 can be achieved in current ChargeBack. VM allocation can be set organisation level. First, billing policy has to be created for data read/write and network transmitted /received as allocation then this Billing Policy has to be added to a Pricing model. In Pricing Model - Base Rates tab, Select Overage for data read/write and network transmitted /received and set the "Upto Allocation Units, Charge" to zero USD/GB per hour. Set "Beyond allocation, Charge" to desired value and save the setting.          

Now, Go to "Manage Hierarchy" Tab and selected the Organisation Unit, Right click and select "Set Allocation Units". Now set the desired value which needs to be exempted for data read/write and network transmitted /received and Save the settings.

With the above configuration in ChargeBack, Up to the allocated Units @ Organisation level for the resource types selected the
charges will not be applied once the set allocation is crossed then ChargeBack applies for base rate set in the Pricing Model.

Can you please come back to us with a  example for th question.  This would help to answer the question precisely. We would need some more time to answer your 4th question.

Thanks

Pramod.