This guide explains what a tenant is, why it's important, and how it relates to your NetMaker experience.
A Netmaker tenant is a dedicated instance of the Netmaker software, including its associated data, configurations, and users. It's your private space within the Netmaker ecosystem, whether you're using SaaS or On-Prem deployment.
Key Characteristics
Isolation: Each tenant's data and networks are separate from others.
Customization: Tailor your tenant to your specific networking needs.
Scalability: Grow or shrink based on your requirements.
SaaS vs On-Prem Tenants
Netmaker offers both SaaS and On-Prem deployment options to cater to different needs.
Netmaker SaaS
1
What it is
A fully managed instance of Netmaker hosted by Netmaker.
2
Recommended for
Most use cases, especially for quick setup and easy management.
3
Key Feature
Netmaker manages the server and infrastructure for you.
4
Provisioning Time
1–3 minutes
5
What you get
Access to a ready-to-use Netmaker instance
Netmaker On-Prem
1
What it is
A license key that allows you to run Netmaker Pro version on your own infrastructure.
2
Recommended for
IT Administrators requiring enhanced data privacy, server customizations, custom OAuth integration, or metrics exporting.
3
Key Feature
You have full control over the server and its environment.
4
What you get
A license key to activate Netmaker on your own server
5
Customer Responsibility
You must provide and manage your own server infrastructure.
Creating and Managing Tenants
1
Sign up at https://account.netmaker.io/
2
Provide valid billing details
3
Choose between creating a SaaS tenant or obtaining an On-Prem license
Multiple Tenants
You can create multiple tenants for various purposes:
Managing multiple customers (one tenant per customer)
Separating test/staging environments
Accommodating global operations
Deployment Considerations
SaaS Deployment
Create a new SaaS tenant through the account portal.
On-Prem Deployment
More flexible but requires more effort:
1
Obtain an On-Prem license through the account portal
2
Provide your own server infrastructure
3
Deploy Netmaker on your server using the provided license key
Yes, useful for managing multiple customers or environments.
How do I switch between tenants?
Log in and select from your tenant list or visit https://account.netmaker.io/tenants
Does each tenant incur separate costs?
Yes, each tenant is billed separately.
Can I have both SaaS and On-Prem tenants?
Yes, Netmaker supports both types under one account.
Is there a trial period?
Yes, your first instance includes a 2-week free trial.
Remember, choosing between SaaS and On-Prem depends on your specific needs. SaaS offers ease of use, while On-Prem provides more control and customization options.
