Last Update | May 2022

Monthly Update – May 2022

During May, Linode Hosting:

• Performed scheduled LISH, Weblish, Glish Console emergency maintenance.
• Had a service issue with Lassie.
• Had service issues with multiple data centers.
• Had a service issue with its Object Storage service.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on its Tokyo 2 data centers.
• Had issues with IPv6 on its Newark data center.
• Performed scheduled maintenance on the Linode Kubernetes Engine.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on its Mumbai data center.
• Performed scheduled emergency network maintenance on its Newark data center.

Linode was developed with the intention of helping users simplify their cloud infrastructure through Linux virtual machines alongside a robust set of tools to develop, deploy and even scale modern applications on a faster scale. The company believes that virtual computing has to be accessible to all and simple to understand.

Linode was founded by Christopher Anker in 2003, making it a well-established company. With over 200 employees and decades in the industry, let’s see how they stack up and if they actually deliver on their promises and goals.

When it comes to their products, they offer shared hosting, dedicated CPU, high memory, GPU, bare metal, Kubernetes, block storage, object storage, backups, cloud firewalls, DDoS protection, a DNS manager, NodeBalancers, VLAN, and a lot more.

Keep in mind that Linode even offers a 1 week free trial on GPU High-Performance Cloud computing, which will allow you to test things before making a commitment to the service.

There’s also a unique referral program, where if someone signs up using your referral URL, you will receive a credit of $20, but the person has to remain an active customer for 90 days and spend at least $15 for you to receive this credit.

To test things out, I’ll go through the shared hosting route to see just what kind of an experience even the newest users that want to engage in online hosting will receive.

Getting Started With Linode

Making an account, and connecting everything is actually quite enjoyable as well as a simple process at Linode.

All you have to do is open up the official website and find the Sign-Up button on the screen’s top right corner. Alternatively, you also have the Create Account button somewhere along the middle, which is always convenient. You can even sign up with GitHub if that is your preferred way.

You’ll need to create an account.

Here, you’ll need to enter your email, username, and password.

They’ll send you an email.

Next, you’ll need to log into your account and once you find the email, click on confirm.

After that, you’ll just need to enter your billing information.

And that’s about it, now you can click on the Go To Cloud Manager button to get started.

Setting Things Up at Linode

Once you log in, you’ll be greeted by this screen.

Let’s see what we can do on the left navigation bar.

You have:

• Linodes – these are essentially the servers you’ll be using. You can create shared CPU, Dedicated CPU, and high memory or GPU servers here to fill your specific needs.

Here you can modify a few things, and we’ll get into the pricing later on, but basically, for the testing phase, I’ll be using the Nanode 1 GB, which is the cheapest option.

When it comes to the operating systems, you have a lot of options, and by default, Debian 10 is selected. You also have Ubuntu, and so on, but for my testing, I’ll be using my favorite, CentOS 7.

In terms of region, I’ll select Frankfurt as it’s the closest server to my specific geographic location, but pick one that’s based on either your location or the location of your target visitors for the best results.

Next, you’ll need to enter a password.

Here on the right side, you’ll have the complete Linode Summary.

You can simply click on Crete Linode to get started.

Wait for the server to boot.

Once it’s all set up, you’ll see a message that it’s running.

Here, you can launch the LISH Console.

Here, you can use two options, Weblish, and Glish.

Weblish looks like this.

Glish looks like this.

If you click on the three dots on the right side, you can close, resize, rebuild, rescue, migrate and even delete the Linode.

That’s all there is to the Linodes tab; everything else is up to you to configure.

• Volumes

This lets you create additional storage for your pre-created Linode.

A single volume can be from 10 to 10240 gibibytes in size and costs $0.10/GiB per month, and you can attach up to eight volumes to a single Linode.

• NodeBalancers

A NodeBalancer is essentially assigned its own public IP address where it can listen for incoming connections, and then, through the usage of configurable rules, it can route the connection to the backend node. It allows the incoming traffic to load to an application, but be spread over any number of Linodes.

• Firewalls

Through firewalls, you can control network access to your Linodes from the Cloud.

• StackScripts

Through StackScripts, you can automate the deployment.

There are Account StackScripts, and community StackScripts.

I love these as you can simply click on Deploy New Linode and set them up and running in no time.

• Images

Here you can create images; all you have to do is select the Linode, the Disk, add a Label and a Description. Keep in mind that Images are limited to 6144MB of data per disk by default. You can open a support ticket to request a higher limit.

• Domains

This tab lets you create a Domain.

You can do so by selecting if it’s primary or secondary, typing the domain itself, adding an SOA Email Address, and inserting the default records.

• Kubernetes

To give you a bit of a higher perspective, Kubernetes is this open-source, container-orchestration system for automating computer application deployment, alongside scaling and management.

Through the Kubernetes menu on Linode, you can create clusters.

You can pick a different plan, all of which have different price points.

• Object Storage

Through the object storage menu, you can create buckets of storage.

To do so, select the region.

Then click on Create Bucket.

• Longview

To set things up, you’ll first need to install the Longview Agent on the server.

Longview enables you to monitor your system-level metrics in one place, through which you can easily analyze the performance graphs and keep track of your transfer usage from the Linode Cloud Manager. You can create custom alerts for when you are near any thresholds you have set.

You can toggle the CPU usage, Disk IO Rate, Incoming Traffic, Outbound Traffic and Transfer Quota. What I like about it is that you can schedule automatic reboots with the shutdown watchdogs.

The free version is limited to 10 servers, but provides sufficient data.

With their Pro plan, however, you will get the best possible data, but that would cost you extra.

• Marketplace

Here, you can install certain extensions.

• Account

You can review your account balance, accrued charges, billing address, and payment method on the account tab.

• Help & Support

You can review the guides and tutorials, community Q&As, Linode Support Bot and Customer Support, on the help and support tab.

Specific Features Linode

Linode offers an easily deployable cloud compute, storage, and networking solution that can be achieved in seconds by using a full-featured API, CLI, and Cloud Manager user-friendly interface.

When it comes to the list of the products it offers, you have multiple categories.

1. Compute

Here you have access to Bare Metal, Kubernetes, Shared, Dedicated CPU, High Memory, and GPUs.

2. Storage

Here you have block storage, object storage, and backups.

3. Networking

Here you have DDoS protection, NodeBalancers, DNS Manager, a Cloud Firewall, and VLAN.

4. Services

You have infrastructure management, as well as cloud consulting and migration.

5. Tools

Here, you get access to tools such as the Cloud Manager, API through which you can manage Linode, CLI, or Command Line Access to the Linode Infrastructure, Terraform Provider, a marketplace filled with One-Click Apps, Images, Integrations, StackScripts, Monitoring, and Users & Permissions.

You can create a Linode through the usage of the Linode API, which allows you to automate any task that can be performed by the Cloud Manager, and this includes creating Linodes, managing IP addresses and DNS, and opening support tickets. Only authorized users can add Linodes and make changes to your account, and each request has to be authenticated with an access token.

When it comes to the solutions it offers, you have multiple categories as well.

eLearning – Here, you get a reliable infrastructure where you can host as well as scale your eLearning platform or tool. You get transparent, and competitive pricing, with technical support, included transfer, and scalability.

Machine Learning – Here, you can build, train and scale machine learning applications through powerful NVIDIA cloud GPUs, dedicated AMD processors, and free bundled transfer. You can set up a hybrid or multi-cloud, get 24/7 support, and start working with NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPUs.

MultiCloud – this uses two or more cloud computing providers and gives you the freedom to rely on different companies for specific use cases.

You can also access penetration and vulnerability testing, discrete workloads, bursting, and global load balancing, and distributed computing. You can also gain access to fail-over disaster recovery and automated backups.

Video Streaming – here, you can reduce margins while maintaining a high level of performance. Linode offers you the ability to build a new virtual event or video streaming platform.

In terms of the products they offer, you have websites, mobile apps, hosted services, big data, gaming, containers, E-commerce, analytics, Development & Testing, Backup & Archive, Digital Media, High-Performance Computing, Memory-Intensive Workloads, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Developer Tools, APIs, Databases, CDN, VPN, DNS, Advertising or Digital Marketing, Security Research, Mail Server Hosting, Education & Testing Services, Monitoring, CI/CD and VoIP.

When it comes to the level of security at Linode, the company is committed to the security of its infrastructure as well as the data of its users. Every component is designed to give you the foundation to build secure systems and applications that meet your specific needs, this is done through a shared security model, vulnerability management, physical security and networking, and certifications.

We also have to discuss the Linode API, which provides the ability to programmatically manage the full range of Linode products as well as services.

What this API essentially does is allow you to automate any task that can be performed in the Cloud Manager, and this includes creating Linodes, managing IP addresses and DNS, and opening support tickets to name a few. Keep in mind that you are charged when running commands depending on their complexity.

Security and Backups

Linode is committed to high-security levels regarding its infrastructure and its users’ data. Every component is designed to give you the foundation to build secure systems and applications that meet your specific needs. It’s done through a shared security model, vulnerability management, physical security and networking, and certifications.

You can protect the Linode data through redundant local backups. This way you’ll know that your data is safe and secure. The subscription service will actually, automatically perform daily, weekly, and biweekly local backups of your Linode.

In other words, you gain fully managed local backups, you can set when you want local backups or off-site backups, it gives you a configurable backup window, and you can enroll with one click.

Now, the fees change depending on the type of hosting you have.

• Shared – this starts at $2 per month for the Nanode 1 GB package, up to $240 per month for the Linode 192 GB package.
• Dedicated CPU – $5 per month for the Dedicated 4 GB package, up to $240 per month for the Dedicated 512 GB package.
• High Memory – $5 per month for the Linode 24 GB package, up to $80 per month for the Linode 300 GB package.
• GPU – $40 per month for the Dedicated 32 GB package, up to $320 per month for the Dedicated 128 GB package.

The interesting part about all of this is that you can review the pricing through a simple slider, you just slide it left to right, and you can clearly see the price changes per package selected.

Linode does not offer a free tier when it comes to the backup service, so copying the files over to a disk over SSH would be the best option for a lot of users.

Performance Speed and Uptime

When it comes to the speed to deployment and the overall server quality, it is top-notch, and I saw no delay in anything I did. As for uptime, in my time testing it, it never went offline. That’s all I really have to say about Linode, it’s quick, reliable, and gets the job done.

I’ve been finding myself every now and then having my server shut down due to hardware or software upgrades forced by Linode, they do let you pick the time but it happened more than a few times a year for some of my servers with them.

Their pricing is fair, however, they seem to be very strict never offering any discounts or any advantage for loyal customers, don’t get me wrong – they are one of the cheapest providers out there however for a client that’s been with them for over 4 years I’d expect a reach out with some upgrade discounts or like previously mentioned perhaps free backups or Longview Pro.

Level of Support Linode

To review the level of support, what I like to do is cancel my account and ask for a refund. This lets me see how nice the support team is, and how quickly they respond.

Note that if you request a refund within 7 days of making the account, you will receive a full refund on your initial deposit.

First, you have the Linode Bot, which is always present on the screen’s bottom right corner.

He will inform you of ways through which you can contact the support team.

In my case, I’ll open a support ticket.

To do this, I went to the Help & Support tab on the left.

I clicked on it, and selected Open New Ticket.

Here you can describe what you need.

Here’s what I wrote.

And I just clicked on “Open Ticket”.

That’s all there is to requesting a refund, and canceling your account.

Throughout my experience of over 5 years using Linode, I didn’t really ever need their assistance. The fact is that if you know your way around the OS that you have chosen, you will have no issues at all.

The only instances where I’ve needed to contact support was to figure out what the best configurations are. There could potentially be some unplanned connectivity data center issues, as well as planned downtimes, but these are rare.

Monthly Updates

During April 2022, Linode Hosting:

• Announced it won the 2022 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Customer Service in computer services.
• Posted its calendar for 2022 Spring Events, the first being in April.
• Announced that Akamai Technologies has acquired Linode.
• Experienced connectivity issues with its Newark datacenter.
• Experienced connectivity issues with its LKE API Server Loadbalancers in its Dallas and Newark datacenters.
• Experienced connectivity issues with its Login Portal and Linode API.
• Performed scheduled maintenance for backups on its EU-West London datacenter.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on its EU-West London datacenter.

During March 2022, Linode Hosting:

• Experienced service issues with the Block Storage service in its Frankfurt datacenter.
• Experienced service issues with its Linode Cloud Manager.
• Performed emergency network maintenance on its AP-South Singapore datacenter.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on its AP-West Mumbai datacenter.
• Announced that its new Managed Database service is in open beta.
• Announced that it won two Stevie Awards.

During February 2022, Linode Hosting:

• Experienced connectivity issues on their Frankfurt Server.
• Performed emergency network maintenance on their Frankfurt Server.
• Experienced IPv6 connectivity issues on their London Server.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on their Mumbai Server.
• Experienced service issues on their Sydney Server.
• Performed scheduled network maintenance on their London Server.
• Announced that Slackware 15.0 is available to deploy on Linode.
• Announced that NVMe Block Storage is now available in their Sydney Data Center.
• Released their High-Availability Control Panel for LKE.

During January 2022, Linode Hosting:

• Scheduled two Network maintenance – US – West (Fremont).
• Scheduled Kubernetes maintenance for North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
• Had a service issue.
• Scheduled another Network maintenance – US – West (Fremont).
• Performed an emergency backups maintenance.
• Had a service issue with its Cloud Manager and API.
• Performed an emergency block storage maintenance – AP – Northeast – 2 (Tokyo 2).
• Announced that CentOS Stream 9 is now available on Linode.

During December 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Scheduled emergency maintenance for Cloud Manager, API, and CLI.
• Parablu announced that it will strengthen its SaaS offerings through Linode’s Partner Program.
• Taken steps towards securing BGP in its own networks.
• Harbor now available on the Linode Marketplace.
• Plans for upgrading all of their Block Storage to NVMe.
• Added PayPal as a primary method for making or managing recurring payments.
• Alpine Linux 3.15.0 is now available.
• Pritunl VPN now available on the Linode Marketplace.

During November 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Had a connectivity issue, performed an emergency network maintenance, had Cloud Manager and API issue, performed scheduled maintenance, had service issues
• Introduced Fedora 35
• Introduced Cloud Firewall for all data centers
• Expanded the availability of its NVMe-based Block Storage to more data centers

During October 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Performed a scheduled maintenance and an emergency maintenance; encountered connectivity issues
• Introduced Splunk on the Linode Marketplace
• Added horizontal cluster autoscaling support to the Linode Kubernetes Engine (LKE)
• Special Offer: Free cloud migration (limited time)

During September 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Performed scheduled maintenance, emergency backups maintenance, network maintenance, support tickets maintenance, had connectivity issues, and DNS propagation delays
• Introduced NVMe block storage in Atlanta

During August 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Had scheduled network maintenance, emergency network maintenance, service issues, and connectivity issues (17 total incidents)
• Introduced seven new One-Click Apps to the Linode Marketplace: Moodle, JetApps, NirvaShare, MagicSpam, aaPanel, ClusterControl, and Chevereto; Added Debian 11
• Integrated Google Pay for Recurring Payments

During July 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Introduced a new and improved referral program
• Reported connectivity and server issues;
• Scheduled network maintenance and backups maintenance

During June 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Reported scheduled and emergency network maintenance and two connectivity issues
• Celebrated 18 years of existence, announcing new products and features (expanding payment options to support Google Pay, releasing autoscaling control plane resources in Linode Kubernetes Engine; providing support for Cloud-Init and a Metadata Service; introducing Bare Metal beta offering; upgrading all Block Storage clusters from spinning drives to NVMe; incorporating account management tools designed for Linode partners and providers; leveling up their network and fleet to ensure all products are available globally in every data center)
• Reported scheduled and emergency network maintenance, two connectivity issues, and one service issue

During May 2021, Linode Hosting:

• Added the Google Single Sign-On option
• Made GitLab, Helm, and LKE Workshop Available On-Demand
• Enhanced their image features in beta
• Reported scheduled and emergency network maintenance, and one connectivity issue

Summary

Linode offers a wide range of solutions, for a wide range of use-cases. It is truly the one-in-all platform that allows you to host just about anything. It has competitive pricing, and a solid level of support, albeit not live chat support. That is understandable though, as the sheer number of services it offers is outstanding. I specifically love the fact that it has a high level of performance, and everything can be configured easily. I’d recommend it to anyone that has at least a bit of experience with web hosting.

Linode is excellent, however, after more than 5 years of using them, I decided to switch to Webdock.IO due to the fact that they come at a much better price and you save $20 to cPanel as well which brings the costs even lower.