01Why This Policy Exists
Cloud servers and web hosting run on shared hardware and a shared network. Most customers never notice this policy. It exists so that one Service cannot degrade the others on the same machine or link. It is part of our Terms of Service.
02Processor Use on Cloud Servers
Cloud server vCPUs are shared and burstable, so short bursts at full speed are expected. To keep each host fair, we limit a server automatically only when both it and its host are busy:
- We check each server's processor use every 10 minutes.
- A server averaging more than 85% of its processor over the last hour may be limited, but only if its host has also been above 70% at some point in that hour. On a quiet host, a busy server is left alone.
- A limited server keeps 50% (Nano and Starter) or 75% (S, M, L, XL and XXL) of its processor.
- The first limit lasts 1 hour, the second 2 hours, and each one after that 3 hours. Limits always end on their own.
- After every 6 hours without another limit, a server moves one step back down this scale.
Limits are applied through our virtualization platform's CPU limit setting and are lifted automatically.
03Disk Activity
Our servers use NVMe storage, so disk limits rarely matter. If a Service causes heavy disk wait for its neighbours, we may limit its disk throughput and will tell you.
04Bandwidth and Port Speed
Each cloud server plan includes the full-speed monthly data transfer shown on the plan. Port speeds are the peak speed a Service can reach, and the network is shared unless a Service is sold with dedicated bandwidth. Web hosting plans listed as "Unmetered" are for normal website traffic; if usage is far beyond what the plan is meant for, we will contact you before taking any action. Cloud server ports run at 10 Gbps on S, M, L, XL and XXL plans and 1 Gbps on Nano and Starter plans. Sustained use at full port speed is fine within the plan's monthly transfer, but in some regions, especially Asia-Pacific, we may ask very heavy users to spread traffic out or move to dedicated bandwidth. Every cloud server plan has unlimited bandwidth. The monthly data transfer shown on the plan runs at full port speed; once it is used, the server keeps working without extra charges at a reduced speed until the next billing period starts: 5 Mbps on Nano and Starter, 10 Mbps on S and M, 50 Mbps on L, and 100 Mbps on XL and XXL.
Abusive traffic. Heavy but legitimate traffic is never treated as abuse. If traffic from a Service looks like an attack or abuse, such as outgoing DDoS floods, port scanning, spam, or traffic from a compromised server, our systems may limit its speed or block that traffic straight away while we investigate, and we will tell you by ticket. If limiting does not contain it and it is harming our network or other customers, we may suspend the Service at once. Full speed is restored once the cause is fixed.
05Web Hosting
Web hosting is for websites and the email that goes with them. It may not be used for backups, file storage, media libraries or file-sharing services. Each plan has the CPU, memory, entry-process and disk I/O limits shown on the plan. Outgoing email from web hosting is limited to 200 messages per day per account; open a ticket if you need more.
06Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency mining is not allowed on any Service (see our Acceptable Use Policy). Other workloads that hold processors or disks at full load for long periods belong on dedicated hardware or colocation, not on shared plans.
07What We Do When Limits Are Exceeded
We start by telling you, except when the platform is at immediate risk. We may then limit the resource concerned, ask you to move to a larger plan, or, if the problem continues, suspend the Service.
08Governing Language
This policy is written in English, and the English version is the only legally binding version. Translations into other languages, including Simplified Chinese, Spanish and French, are provided for convenience only and are not legally binding. If a translation differs from the English version, or is unclear, the English version prevails.
09Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to change this policy at any time. The version published on this page is the one in force. When we make a material change we will try to tell you by email or in the client area before it takes effect, and your continued use of our services afterwards means you accept the revised version.