Cloud Computing

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Cloud Computing Overview

What is cloud computing?  The term “cloud computing” has become all the rage.  However, it seems as if everyone has a different definition.  The term “cloud” has been around for a long time as a metaphor for the Internet.  When you add “computing,” it becomes less clear as to what it actually is and what it includes.  We spoke with several vendors, IT professionals and customers in an attempt to clearly define cloud computing in a way that makes sense.

Based on the feedback we received, cloud computing is a new hosting platform that offered by data centers and cloud providers that allows customers to access powerful, scalable and reliable hosting based on clustered load-balanced servers with pay-as-you-go billing.  It’s an updated version of utility computing, basically virtual servers available over the Internet.  It’s as anything you consume outside of the firewall.  It’s a way of increasing capacity or capabilities on the fly without having to invest in new infrastructure, training new personnel or licensing new software. 

A few of our respondents summed it up in words to describe cloud computing as:  shared data center, plug in, no upgrades, login customize it and start using, enterprise cloud computing, cost less, people products, more secure, more reliable, multi tenancy, one app that everyone shares, giant build where you share office space, upgrades are taken care of for you, your apps run in the cloud, monthly subscription, you pay for what you use, new development environments, unlimited customizations, business processes, fields, objects, multitenant virtual machine, multitenant, mobile devices and computers, don’t worry about scale, reliability, analytics, shared everything architecture, app exchange, you do not buy servers, data centers, security, search, workflow or sharing, mobile deployment.  

For more help on the subject we looked to research group Forrester which said, “Cloud computing looks very much like the instantiation of many vendors’ visions of the datacenter of the future; it’s an abstracted, fabric-based infrastructure that enables dynamic movement, growth, and protection of services that is billed like a utility.”

Types of Cloud Computing Services

1. Software as a Service (SaaS)
With this type of cloud computing service, the application is delivered through a browser to thousands of users using a multitenant architecture.  The most common characteristic of Software as a Service is its remote access.  In fact, it can be accessed anywhere there’s an Internet connection.  For the customer, this is highly beneficial in that it there’s (1) no software to install, (2) less worry that computers will lack the performance to run the software and (3) no upfront costs.   Customers who purchase Software as a Service are billed on a pay-as-you-go per license basis.  Popular examples of Software as a Service (SaaS) include Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps.  
 
In addition to users, providers are also starting to recognize the many benefits of Software as Service platforms for delivering their programs and applications to customers.  On the provider side, with just one app to maintain, costs are very low compared to conventional hosting.  Data Center Mapping represents many leading cloud computing providers specializing in SaaS technologies and platforms.
 
2. Utility Computing
The utility computing idea is not new, but this form of cloud computing is getting new life from cloud providers such as Amazon, Sun, IBM, and others who now offer storage and virtual servers that IT can access on demand.  Utility computing is commonly used for supplemental, non-mission-critical needs, but one day, they may replace parts of the datacenter.  
 
3. Storage Service
Without storage space, it would be difficult to run cloud computing applications.  In fact, many cloud-computing vendors offer storage services in addition to other cloud offerings.  For example, you can’t purchase Amazon EC2 without also purchasing S3.  Mosso’s service includes 50GB of SAN storage space, and Layered Technologies includes 40GB to 1GB of disk space in its monthly server package.  Joyent uses Sun Microsystems Inc.’s Sun Fire X4500 servers to integrate storage and servers in a single high-density box. Some cloud providers also offer a cloud storage solution in addition to the application-hosting service.
 
3. Web Services in the Cloud
Closely related to SaaS, cloud based web service providers offer APIs that enable developers to exploit functionality over the Internet, rather than delivering full-blown applications.  They range from providers offering discrete business services such as Strike Iron and Xignite to the full range of APIs offered by Google Maps, ADP payroll processing, the U.S. Postal Service, Bloomberg and even credit card processing services.
 
4. Platform as a Service
Similar to SaaS, this form of cloud computing delivers development environments as a service.  You build your own applications that run on the provider's infrastructure and are delivered to your users via the Internet from the provider's servers.  These cloud based platforms are constrained by the vendor's design and capabilities, so you don't get complete freedom, but you do get predictability and pre-integration.  Popular examples of Platform as a Service include Force.com, Coghead and the Google App Engine.  For extremely lightweight development, there are cloud-based platforms abound, such as Yahoo Pipes or Dapper.net.
 
5. MSP (Managed Service Providers)
MSP is one of the oldest forms of cloud computing.  Managed service in the cloud is basically an application that is exposed to IT rather than to end users.  These include virus scanning services for email and application monitoring service.  Managed security services delivered by SecureWorks, IBM, and Verizon fall into this category, as do such cloud-based anti-spam services as Postini, recently acquired by Google. Other offerings include desktop management services, such as those offered by CenterBeam or Everdream.
 
6. Service Commerce Platforms
A hybrid of SaaS and MSP, this cloud computing service offers a service hub that users interact with. They're most common in trading environments, such as expense management systems that allow users to order travel or secretarial services from a common platform that then coordinates the service delivery and pricing within the specifications set by the user. Think of it as an automated service bureau.  Well-known examples include Rearden Commerce and Ariba.

Cloud Computing Costs?

How expensive is cloud computing compared to other technologies?  The costs incurred with cloud computing can be seen as incredibly low considering the amount of compute resources to which it gives you access.   One of the hallmarks of cloud computing is that its on-demand nature and pay-as-you-go billing.  However, some vendors have monthly contracts but there are no lengthy contracts.  With cloud computing, there are no plans to negotiate, no requirements to assess and no designs to be made.  Cloud providers are upfront about the costs of their cloud services and some even offer an online calculator where you can estimate costs.

Check List To Ask Before You Buy

  1. Is your organization comfortable being on the cutting-edge of technology? If you’re an enterprise customer, you may be one of the first large companies to subscribe to a provider’s cloud computing service.  Do you have a migration plan or back up plan?
     
  2. Is your organization comfortable using new technology for mission-critical applications? What about of non-mission-critical applications, such as testing?
     
  3. Does your company experience spikes and valleys of demand for your Web applications? Do you often need to scale capacity up or down beyond the normal, comfortable capabilities of your current Web infrastructure?
     
  4. Does your organization’s IT staff including the developer or administrator have knowledge and experience with cloud services?
     
  5. Are your web applications are compatible with the cloud?  Some services are less accessible than others; for instance, Amazon EC2 only has a command-line interface while the other providers have a Webbased GUI.
     
  6. Does the cloud provider have experience managing a large-scale datacenter?
     
  7. What does the provider’s network infrastructure look like? Make sure it meets your expectations of a world-class, top-tier hosting network, from the physical security of the provider’s building to the redundant features of the network.
     
  8. Does the provider charge set-up fees? Not all cloud-computing providers do, so make sure you know exactly what you’re going to be charged for before you launch the service.
     
  9. Does the provider charge based on a pay-as-you-go model or by a monthly plan? Do you have to prepay for these monthly plans?
     
  10. How long does your organization want to use cloud-computing servers? If you’re turning to the service for seasonal spikes in traffic, consider opting for a pay-as-you-go plan.
     
  11. What kind of Web applications do you want the cloud-computing service to host? If you plan to run mission-critical or long-term applications in the cloud, find a vendor that offers discounted rates for annual service contracts.
     
  12. Does your organization use Linux in its server environments? Or do you require a service compatible with Microsoft Windows?
     
  13. Does the provider offer an SLA (Service Level Agreement)?
     
  14. Is any downtime acceptable to your company or your company’s customers?
     
  15. How quickly can the servers be provisioned in the provider’s cloud?
     
  16. Does the provider offer any customer service or tech support? If not, does your IT staff have the expertise to use the cloud computing applications with only FAQs, online tutorials and peers in the community to help?

Top Cloud Providers

  • 10gen
  • Akamai
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Apigee
  • Apple
  • ARM
  • Aryaka
  • Aspera
  • Boundary
  • Calxeda
  • China Telecom
  • Cisco Systems
  • Citrix Systems
  • Cloud Passage
  • Cloud.com
  • Cloudera
  • CloudSwitch
  • Couchbase
  • Dell
  • DotCloud
  • Embrane
  • Enomaly
  • Eucalyptus Systems
  • Facebook
  • FluidInfo
  • Fusion IO
  • GoGrid
  • Google
  • Green Revolution Cooling
  • IBM
  • Intel
  • IO Turbine
  • Joyent
  • Juniper
  • Microsoft
  • New Relic
  • Nicira
  • Nimbula
  • Nutanix
  • Power Assure
  • Rackspace
  • Red Hat
  • RightScale
  • Salesforce.com
  • SeaMicro
  • Sentilla
  • Sungard
  • SynapSense
  • viawest
  • Verizon
  • VMware
  • Zeus Technology
Visit our data center forum for reviews and additional information on cloud computing options or speak directly to one of our Data Center Mapping.com colocation server experts for questions, help or advice by calling toll free (877) 406-2248.

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