How to Launch a VPC in the NetActuate Customer Portal

This guide walks you through creating a new Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) on the NetActuate platform.

Common Use Cases

Secure Application: Backend Isolate database and application servers from the public internet while allowing secure administrative access

Global Edge Orchestration: Deploy VPCs across multiple global regions to create a distributed, secure backbone for low-latency microservices

Hybrid Cloud On-Ramp: Use secure tunnels to bridge your NetActuate VPC with existing on-premise or third-party cloud environments

High-Performance Hybrid Clusters: Connect a fleet of public cloud VMs to high-density, physical compute clusters (such as AI/ML workloads) via private, high-speed interconnects.

Prerequisites

• An active NetActuate account
• A target location (region and PoP) for the VPC

Step 1: Navigate to Cloud

1. Log in to the NetActuate Customer Portal.
2. In the top navigation, click Infrastructure.
3. In the left sidebar, click Cloud.
4. Click + Add.

Step 2: VPC Details

1. Enter a Name for your VPC.
2. Enter an optional Description.
3. Select a Location — choose the region, then the city or PoP code.
4. Click Continue.

Step 3: Network Configuration

You are prompted with the network configuration for the VPC:

1. Review the Subnet — the default subnet is pre-populated.
2. Review the DHCP name servers — default values are provided.
3. Leave the Create a NAT rule to allow all outbound connectivity option enabled (recommended). This creates a default SNAT rule so VMs inside the VPC can reach the internet through the gateway.
4. Click Deploy your VPC.

Note: It is recommended to keep the default outbound NAT rule enabled. Without it, VMs inside the VPC will not have internet connectivity unless you manually configure SNAT rules after deployment.

Step 4: Wait for Provisioning

The portal displays a Building Cloud VPC screen where you can monitor the deployment progress. Once the VPC is built, click OK to enter the VPC.

Provisioning typically completes within a few minutes.

After Deployment

Once your VPC is deployed, you are taken to the VPC overview page. From here you can:

• Deploy VMs inside the VPC
• Configure the gateway (bastion, floating IPs)
• Set up firewall rules
• Create NAT rules for inbound and outbound traffic
• Configure load balancers

See Managing a VPC for a walkthrough of the VPC dashboard and deploying VMs.

Connecting a VPC to External Networks

For hybrid cloud setups requiring cross-connects or cloud on-ramp connections (e.g., AWS Direct Connect, Equinix Fabric), contact NetActuate support to initiate the provisioning.

Note: One-click integration between VPCs and Cloud Routers is a planned feature. For now, connecting a VPC to a Cloud Router requires coordination with NetActuate support.

Next Steps

• Managing a VPC — VPC dashboard and deploying VMs
• Gateway — bastion, floating IPs, and IP reservations
• Firewall — configure inbound traffic rules
• NAT Rules — set up DNAT and SNAT rules
• Load Balancing — HTTPS and network load balancers

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