Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

last updated: 2025-10-18

Welcome to the DowntoZero Cloud FAQ! Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our cloud services, pricing, and features. If your question is not answered here, feel free to contact us at support@downtozero.cloud.

General Questions

What is DowntoZero Cloud?
DowntoZero Cloud is a scalable and secure cloud platform that allows you to deploy, manage, and monitor containerized applications. We provide a unique **pay-per-watt** pricing model, which enables users to control costs based on the power consumption of their deployed resources.
How do I create an account?
You can create an account by visiting [our website](https://downtozero.cloud/) and clicking the **Sign Up** button. After filling in your details and verifying your email, you'll gain access to your personalized **DowntoZero Cloud Dashboard**.
What services does DowntoZero Cloud offer?
We offer the following services: - **Container Registry**: A private registry to store and manage container images. - **Container Services**: Deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications in a secure environment. - **Real-time Monitoring**: View resource usage and power consumption metrics for each deployment. - **Objectstore**: A simple and scalable object storage solution for your files and assets.

Technical Questions

How do I push a container image to the DowntoZero Cloud registry?
To push a container image to our registry, follow these steps: 
docker tag <your-image> cr.dtz.rocks/<image-name>:<tag>
docker push cr.dtz.rocks/<image-name>:<tag>
Can I scale my container automatically?
Yes, DowntoZero Cloud offers autoscaling. You can set up autoscaling rules based on CPU, memory usage, or power consumption from the deployment settings in your dashboard.
What monitoring tools are available?
DowntoZero Cloud offers built-in monitoring for: • Power consumption • CPU usage • Logs for debugging

All of these are accessible via the dashboard for each deployment.

What HTTP protocols and standards are supported?
We currently support HTTP/1 and HTTP/2. We also support Server-Sent-Events (SSE) for response streaming purposes.

Billing & Pricing

How does the pay-per-watt model work?
Our pay-per-watt model ensures that you only pay for the power your deployments consume. The billing system monitors your real-time power consumption, allowing you to have greater control over costs. You can set usage alerts to notify you when consumption exceeds your set thresholds.
How do I charge my account?
Accounts must be charged in advance via IBAN/SEPA bank transfer:
  1. Log in to the Billing Dashboard.
  2. Copy your Account ID and the bank details.
  3. Make a transfer with the reference format:
    • charge
    • Example: charge identity-abcdef
  4. Once we receive your transfer (typically 1–2 business days), your account balance will be credited automatically.

What are the bank details for charging my account?

  • IBAN: DE08100101236489344438
  • BIC: QNTODEB2XXX
  • Bank: Olinda Zweigniederlassung Deutschland, Warschauer Platz 11–13, 10245 Berlin
  • Beneficiary: DownToZero (Apimeister Consulting GmbH)
How long does it take until my balance is credited?
SEPA transfers usually take 1–2 business days. If your balance is not updated within 3 days, please contact support with proof of transfer.
Do I get an invoice for my payments?
Yes. Every top-up payment generates an official invoice (Vorauszahlungsrechnung) for the transferred amount. Invoices are tax-compliant and can be downloaded from the Billing Dashboard after your payment is processed.
Do I get an invoice for monthly usage?
No. Only prepayments (top-ups) are invoiced. Monthly usage is shown in your dashboard as a consumption report, but it is not invoiced separately. This ensures invoices always match your actual payments, which is required for German/EU accounting.
What happens if I forget to include the reference code?
If the transfer reference (e.g., charge identity-abcdef) is missing or incorrect, your payment may not be allocated automatically. Please contact support and provide proof of transfer so we can manually assign it to your account.
Can I get a refund for unused balance?
No. Prepaid balances are non-refundable but remain in your account until fully consumed.
Are there any free-tier options?
At this time, we do not offer a free tier. However, we provide flexible pricing based on your real-time consumption, allowing you to optimize costs according to your needs.

Data Residency & Compliance

Where is my data stored?
All customer data — including containers, images, logs, and backups — are stored exclusively within Germany. Our infrastructure runs on German-based data centers that meet ISO 27001 and GDPR standards. We do not replicate or process your data outside the European Union.
Does DownToZero Cloud comply with the GDPR?
Yes. DownToZero Cloud is fully GDPR-compliant. We act as a data processor under the GDPR, and we process customer data only within the European Union. Our processing adheres to the principles of data minimization, purpose limitation, and storage limitation. You can request a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) for your organization at any time.
Can I choose the location where my data is hosted?
Currently, all services are hosted exclusively in Germany, ensuring consistent data protection standards and regulatory compliance. As we expand, any additional regions will remain within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Is my data ever transferred outside the EU or to third countries?
No. DownToZero Cloud does not transfer any customer data outside the EU. All data processing, storage, and backups remain entirely within Germany-based facilities. If an exception is ever required (e.g. third-party integration explicitly requested by the customer), we ensure it is covered by standard contractual clauses (SCCs) and with explicit customer consent.
Which data protection standards or certifications do you follow?
Our hosting providers and partners maintain ISO 27001 certification. All systems are subject to continuous security reviews, strict access controls, and audit trails in compliance with EU data protection law.
How can I request deletion of my data?
You can request full deletion of your account and associated data via our support portal or through your account dashboard. Once confirmed, we permanently delete all related data — including container images, object store contents, and logs — within 30 days, unless a longer retention is legally required. A deletion confirmation report can be issued upon request.
Do you offer a Data Processing Agreement (DPA)?
Yes. A standard DPA compliant with Art. 28 GDPR is available to all customers. It outlines how we handle customer data, subprocessors, and security controls. You can review and sign it electronically through our support or account portal.
How do you ensure compliance with German and EU data protection laws?
We operate under German jurisdiction and follow guidance from the Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI). Regular audits ensure that all storage, processing, and data transfer mechanisms comply with EU GDPR, BDSG-neu, and Telekommunikation-Telemedien-Datenschutz-Gesetz (TTDSG).
Why does DownToZero Cloud keep all data in Germany?
Because we believe that sovereign cloud services should remain under European legal protection. Hosting entirely in Germany ensures your data is covered by one of the world’s strongest data protection frameworks, providing legal certainty and transparency.

Security Questions

Is my data secure?
Yes, DowntoZero Cloud takes security seriously. We implement several layers of security to protect your data, including: • Encryption at rest and in transit • Role-based access control (RBAC) for managing permissions • Secrets management to securely store sensitive information
How can I manage access to my cloud resources?
You can manage access through role-based access control (RBAC), allowing you to assign specific permissions to users and services. This ensures only authorized users can access critical resources.

Support

How do I contact support?
If you have any questions or issues, you can reach out to our support team at support@downtozero.cloud. We’re here to help!

Still have questions? Check out our Documentation or contact our team for personalized support.