Hosting a PlanetLab node

By hosting a PlanetLab node, you contribute computing capacity to the testbed and support open science. Anybody can contribute a node, whether by providing a VM, a physical machine, or by receiving a small pre-configured device from PlanetLab.

You can contribute in several ways:

  • provide a VM on existing infrastructure
  • provide your own physical machine, such as a server, mini PC, or single-board computer
  • receive a mini PC or single-board computer from PlanetLab and install it on your network

Host a VM

If you already have capacity on an existing server, the quickest path is usually to create a dedicated VM and install the node software there. You do not need to contact us first to do this.

Host your own hardware

You can also contribute a physical machine that you manage yourself. This can be a server, a mini PC, or a single-board computer, as long as it can stay connected on your network.

Receive a mini-PC or single-board computer

If you would rather not supply hardware yourself, PlanetLab can provide a mini PC or a single-board computer. These devices are intended to be easy to deploy on your network, and in some cases they may already be prepared by PlanetLab before shipment.

Please contact us if you would like us to send a device. At this time, we are only able to send hardware to individuals or institutions in Europe.

Installation options

Installing a node is designed to be simple. Depending on the type of contribution, setup can be done in one of the following ways:

  • run an installation script that sets up the machine
  • download an image that installs the machine from scratch
  • plug in a machine that has already been prepared by PlanetLab

Once installed and connected, the node will join the PlanetLab infrastructure.

Create an account first

If you want to contribute a node, you should first create an account on the PlanetLab console. The console is where you can register your contribution and monitor the status of your node after it has been deployed.

If you have questions or need help getting started, contact support at support@planetlab.io.