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What is RONIN?

RONIN is a wrapper service for providing easy/easier access to AWS instances. It is designed to be more familiar for researchers, with a web interface for managing virtual machines, and access via terminal or virtual desktop. RONIN is also a good way to manage costs on AWS which can spiral otherwise.

How do I get access?

If you've reached this page you probably aready have access. Go to ronin.manchester.ac.uk and login- any projects you have access to will be available from there. If you don't have access, contact Research IT. Bear in mind this is a paid service.

What is a virtual machine?

It's like a normal computer but on the cloud. It consists of:

1. Persistent storage- this is listed still be there after you turn the machine off.
2. Instance- this is the hardware that can be turned on and off. This is normally the expensive bit, so turn it off when not in use.
3. Image- this contains the operating system and any pre-installed software. You would normally use a Linux-based image, but Windows is available.
4. URL (e.g. my-machine.ronin.manchester.ac.uk)

How much does it cost?

You get charged based on your usage. A powerful instance will cost more than a basic one. Your instance is only charged when your machine is switched on, but note that you are still charged for storage and your machine's IP address even when they are not in use. You are also charged for downloading data from your machine. For details about limiting costs, see the Limiting Costs page.