How to create Service Node and Service Node Group

This document shows you how to create Service Node and Service Node Group.

Similar to Endpoint Node, a Service Node is a host machine that takes the form factor of a virtual machine, hardware device or AWS AMI image. It is deployed to host an App Service for an on-prem or cloud application. A Service Node can host multiple App Services for multiple applications. (If your application is in AWS, you do not need to create a service node.)

A Service Node Group is a scaling group. Service Nodes in the same Service Node Group form a cluster that allows higher throughput. When you add a Service Node in a Service Node Group, the new Service Node will automatically deploy all App Services in the Service Node Group.

The relationship of App Service, App Service Node and App Service Node Group is illustrated in the diagram below.

Illustration of service node and service node group

There are two workflows to create a Service Node. The first one is embedded in the App Service Create process where you click New Group when the drop down menu for Service Node Group is empty or you need to create a new Service Node Group for a new location. The second workflow is from Service Nodes on the main navigation menu, this process is for adding a new Service Node to an existing Service Node Group or new Service Node Group.

Create Service Node

1. Login to the Bumblebee portal.

2. Click Service Nodes on the main navigation menu, then click Create Service Node. A pop up window should appear. Enter a name for the Service Node.

3. Click New Group to enter a new group name or click Use Existing to select an already created Node Group.

4. Click Create Service Node.

5. Select a desired form factor.

   1. Download OVA. Select this option if you intend to run the endpoint node as a virtual machine. OVA is free to download.

      1. Click Preparing for OVA for Download

      2. Click Download OVA.

      3. The OVA is built to work with Intel based servers. For help deploying OVA, follow the instructions here.

   2. Hardware Device. Select this option if you intend to purchase hardware device shipped to you. Hardware device incurs a one time charge. For hardware device, plug in the Ethernet cable to the port labeled WAN0.

      1. Click Continue

      2. Enter shipping address of the deployment destination. The Hardware device is plug and play with zero touch for deployment.

   3. AWS AMI. Select this option if you intend to create an endpoint in Network Mode in AWS.

      1. Click Continue

      2. Click Generate Cloud Init Data. Copy the data. You need this data when launching the AMI in AWS

      3. Click this Cloud Formation script link to launch Bumblebee Node AMI in AWS. This CF takes you to AWS and launch the Bumblebee Node instance in your desired region. Make sure you launch the Bumblebee Node instance in a private subnet that can reach *.bumblebeenet.com

6. Make sure DHCP is enabled on the subnet where the node is deployed. Once the the node is installed and started, it should automatically registers with the Bumblebee platform. For hardware device, plug in the Ethernet cable to the port labeled WAN0 and this port requires DHCP for the WAN0 port to reach the Internet.

7. Login to the Bumblebee platform, you should see the Endpoint Node is registered. The Admin State for the Endpoint Node should be in "registered" state and the Op State should be in "up" state.