NED Cloud
On-premise cutting-edge cloud infrastructure for NEDUET. A NEDAC & RentAKloud initiative.
Our Goal
NEDAC has already raised nearly $40k USD in Canada for this project. Now it's up to NEDians in US and all over the world to contribute and be a part of this amazing project.
$40k raised by NEDAC. Now it's your turn!
Statistics as of . This donation campaign ends by March 31st 2025.
Alumni groups will have their names inscribed on the rack and prominently featured on the NED web portal, allowing students to recognize and appreciate their generous benefactors/Alumini.
Recent Donations
The Problem
Solving modern technological challenges demands significant computational power, which often comes with a hefty price tag—especially for students. For instance, fields like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and computer-aided design (CAD) require advanced GPUs, while data science students must process terabytes of data. Cybersecurity students often need high-bandwidth networks to simulate scenarios, and engineering students study CPU-intensive algorithms, such as cryptography and complex mathematical computations. Unfortunately, the average student's computer or even the university's computer labs typically lack the resources to meet these demanding requirements.
The Solution
RentAKloud's private cloud computing solution delivers the robust computational infrastructure students need, putting cutting-edge resources directly at their fingertips. Whether working on AI projects, data science analyses, or other advanced tasks, students can seamlessly access all the necessary tools virtually through their laptops—anytime, anywhere—be it on campus or from the comfort of their homes.
About NED Cloud
This page is hosted on a virtual machine running on our Linux KVM hypervisor, which in turn operates on a server we custom-built ourselves. All traffic is managed by our router which we've designed and assembled, including the router's firmware. Each bare-metal server is managed via our custom out-of-band IPKVM (IPMI) hardware running our customized Embedded Linux Kernel and remote access software. This entire setup is housed in a vertical unit that we call a rack. If you're able to view this page, it means our rack and all its components are functioning properly. A similar rack will be delivered to NED UET in Karachi which will be operated by NED UET on their premise.
Why RentAKloud?
Now the questions arises why not go with existing solution providers in the industry like Dell, VMware, or Amazon? The answer is simple. Buried beneath insane hardware and licensing costs, they are far too expensive!
VMware-based solutions come with their own set of challenges, primarily revolving around licensing costs. VMware’s (and other similar virtualization platforms) licensing model is complex and often requires additional fees for features like vMotion, high availability, or advanced storage integrations. These costs can quickly add up, especially for a university with limited IT budgets. Moreover, VMware’s ecosystem often locks you into their proprietary technologies, making it difficult to scale or switch to more cost-effective solutions in the future.
How RentAKloud Provides Better, Affordable Solution
First of all we build our own servers, routers, and other hardware. So no purchasing from Dell or any vendor. Second we have our own software stack based on open source technologies such as Linux. So no licensing costs also.
Just consider the price of this 100 Gbps router. It alone costs $200k+, or a firewall IPS/IDS appliance 100 gbps capable firewall. It too costs $200k+. And this KVM for remotely managing server racks KVM Switch for $8k. Now do the math yourself, and you'll realize how expensive the current private cloud solutions offered by the industry giants are. Our rack solutions includes these and more like integrated IPS/IDS system at a fraction of the cost.
Why Not Just Use AWS, Azure or GCP?
We get this question a lot. First and foremost, it is NED's own requirement. They need an on-premise private cloud solution, not a public cloud. Why?
- On-premise latency times are in microseconds instead of public cloud's 100s of milliseconds.
- NED has complete control of the cloud.
- Ownership instead of perpetual rent.
RentAKloud, on the other hand, provides a one-time investment with minimal ongoing costs, making it a far more sustainable and budget-friendly option in the long run.
Why Should I Donate?
An engineering degree in the U.S. costs over $140,000. At NED, you paid less than $1,000—and many paid even less than $100. This project is a powerful way to give back to the institution that shaped your career, at just a fraction of the cost. If 1,000 NEDians each contribute the price of a single family dinner, we can fund the first rack for NED Cloud.
Now, imagine a student on NED campus today wanting access to cutting-edge technology. This is your chance to make that possible for the current and next generation of NED students. There should be no excuses, because we were that student in the same situation not too long ago.
I Don't Know You, I Don't Trust You
That’s a completely valid concern—we’d feel the same way in your position. Transparency is important to us, and we want you to feel confident about this initiative.
If you're in Dallas, you can verify everything directly with the Dallas Alumni Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. We've met them in person and even held a Zoom session with DFW Alumni, NEDAC Alumni, and the NEDUET Vice Chancellor and his team.
For alumni in other regions, we’re happy to host a similar Zoom meeting with the Vice Chancellor of NEDUET so you can ask any questions firsthand. We’ve also created a WhatsApp group where you can connect with us, discuss the project, and hear from others who are already involved. Let’s build this together with trust and transparency.