How Federated Core works
Your own server, your own domain, and open-source applications maintained for you.
What you get
When you sign up, Federated Computer creates a virtual machine (VM) for your organization and installs the applications included in your plan. Each application is installed individually for you. There is no shared, multi-tenant database: your files, messages, and records are stored on your VM.
Every application is open source. That means:
- No per-seat licence fees to the software vendor. You pay Federated Computer for hosting and maintenance.
- No lock-in. Data is kept in standard, documented formats, and the same software can run anywhere.
- Upstream documentation applies. Each app has a large community and its own manual. These guides link to it wherever it helps.
Where your applications live
Each application is published on its own web address under your domain. The address usually follows the pattern https://appname.yourdomain.com, for example https://nextcloud.example.com or https://vaultwarden.example.com. The exact address of every app on your server is listed in Superpanel.
Who does what
| Task | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Server hardware, operating system, and networking | Federated Computer |
| Installing and updating applications | Federated Computer |
| TLS certificates (the padlock in your browser) | Federated Computer |
| Backups of the VM | Federated Computer |
| Adding people, resetting passwords, assigning access | Your administrators, in Superpanel |
| Settings inside each application (branding, workflows, content) | Your administrators, in each app’s own admin screens |
| Using the applications | Everyone in your organization |
Two ways Federated Core can be installed
Most customers use the standard installation. You manage everything through web interfaces: Superpanel, plus each application’s own settings pages. You do not have shell (command-line) access to the VM.
Customers who chose the Enterprise option during installation also get command-line access to their VM. Some advanced tasks in these guides (marked with an Enterprise callout) can only be done that way. If you don’t have Enterprise and need one of those tasks done, contact Federated Computer support. See Command-line access.