26-06-2012, 03:31 PM
WHITE PAPER ON CLOUD COMPUTING
WHITE PAPER ON CLOUD COMPUTING.docx (Size: 211.88 KB / Downloads: 33)
Abstract
This white paper will help readers to know the basics of cloud computing and also to gain an understanding on how cloud computing works. I hope it will be beneficial to all people who want to save some money on infrastructures.
Cloud based on demand web-services such as databases, queues, identity management, data on-demand, widgets, etc. are meeting with browser based thick-client frameworks such as AJAX, Adobe Flex, MS Silverlight, etc. to create a new breed of applications, built on a resuscitated Client/Server (Client/Server 2.0) SOA-based paradigm. The traditional "business logic" application server middle-tier is ceding the way to cloud based pay-per-use SOA.
The increasing sophistication of cloud web-services platforms, the increase in browser sophistication and the availability of advanced client side IDEs will reinforce this trend. The new paradigm will simplify the development of web applications, simplify the creation of SaaS, provide better maintainability and lower TCO.
Cloud Computing Basics
Cloud computing is Internet ("cloud") based development and use of computer technology ("computing"). It is an emerging computing technology that uses the Internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and business to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with Internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth.
Implementing Cloud Computing
All of the architectural and organizational considerations mentioned herein are generally apply to all implementations of a cloud infrastructure. As we focus on building the cloud, a number of models have been developed for deploying a cloud infrastructure.
Characteristics of Cloud computing
i. Dynamic computing infrastructure
Cloud computing requires a dynamic computing infrastructure. The foundation for the dynamic infrastructure is a standardized, scalable, and secure physical infrastructure. There should be levels of redundancy to ensure high levels of availability, but mostly it must be easy to extend as usage growth demands it, without requiring architecture rework. Next, it must be virtualized.
A dynamic computing infrastructure is critical to effectively supporting the elastic nature of service provisioning and de-provisioning as requested by users while maintaining high levels of reliability and security. The consolidation provided by virtualization, coupled with provisioning automation, creates a high level of utilization and reuse, ultimately yielding a very effective use of capital equipment.
ii. IT service-centric approach
Cloud computing is IT (or business) service-centric. This is in sharp contrast to more traditional system- or server- centric models. In most cases, users of the cloud generally want to run some business service or application for a specific, timely purpose; they don’t want to get bogged down in the system and network administration of the environment. They would prefer to quick and easy access a dedicated instance of an application or service. By abstracting away the server-centric view of the infrastructure, system users can easily access powerful pre-defined computing environments designed specifically around their service.
An IT Service Centric approach enables user adoption and business agility – the easier and faster a user can perform an administrative task, the more expedient the business moves, reducing costs or driving revenue.