What’s the deal with Cloud Computing?
Well it’s going to be big (and is already being hyped as such). It’ll be a paradigm shift in the world of IT as we know it. But as I explained in an earlier post: we still have a long way to go before it’ll be mainstream. Cloud Computing is the come together of multiple technologies that already exist. It can be compared to a chemical reaction : Every component is there, we are now in the process to evolve to a new level in IT.
Defining Cloud Computing seems to be something that nobody can agree upon. Here goes mine:
Cloud Computing is an IT model which allows business to scale IT capabilities in such a way that it suits the needs at any time. This can be realized real-time through on-demand self-service. It will be delivered as-a-service anytime, anywhere and will be paid per use afterwards.
Such a definition can be broken down into 4 characteristics that build up Cloud Computing:
- Elastic & dynamic infrastructure; The infrastructure on which Cloud Computing is build should be able to handle the ever changing demand from business. In such in needs to be elastic and dynamic to supply this demand. Virtualization is the method to provide this flexibility.
- On-demand self service; Business needs to have the ability to self service their needs real-time. Controls should be provided that service this need without the help of external parties.
- Location independent; End-users should be able to access the service anytime, anywhere. Internet is the highway that will connect the service to standard input devices.
- Pay per use; A consumption model must be in place where one pays for the services that have been provided to them. No more, no less. Just the capacity that has be used should be billed afterwards.
For more information look at the following information sources :
NIST Working Definition Of Cloud Computing
Maria Spinola - An Essential Guide to Possibilities and Risks of Cloud Computing (whitepaper)
Burton Group - Cloud Computing: Transforming IT (whitepaper / needs free registration)
Cloud Computing: Uhm, yes… ?
Cisco asked a couple of people to give the definition of Cloud Computing. Look what they came up with.
This movie proves two things to me :
1. Defining Cloud Computing is still difficult for most IT people.
2. Cloud Computing & Squirrels are in some way connected to one another... Question is : HOW?
Beyond the Hype of Cloud Computing
As we all have noticed Cloud Computing has become the next best thing that has hit IT in a long time. Every company all of a sudden has a product that is “in the cloud”. It’s good to see that a lot of companies are boarding the train, but it also results in confusion and a feeling that is “it’s just to good to be true”.
This can also be seen in Gartner Hype Cycle for Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing is currently at the top op the so called “Peak of Inflated Expectations”. It has been hyped by the IT industry and is indeed generating a lot of expectations. As Gartner predicts this will eventually result in “disillusionment”. Thinking that it’s just one of those “IT things” that will eventually fade away and be replaced by another big hype.
It will however become mainstream in next 2 to 5 years. Evolving into mature business model for provisioning IT services. The “fog” surrounding Cloud Computing will eventually clear the sky. Till that time follow the next simple rules:
- Proceed with caution; Don’t believe everything that is said / written about Cloud Computing. There is a lot of rubbish out there. Rational thinking is the key.
- Inform yourself; Knowledge is power! Gather as much information as possible about the subject. But again Proceed with Caution!
- Fit it into your strategy; No rush! But Cloud Computing should eventually fit into your IT strategy. Keep it in mind making future decisions.
- Your not the only one; There are more people / companies out there dealing with the same “cloud”. Talking amongst peers helps a lot in generating your own vision regarding “cloud computing”.
Power over vSwitch back to where it belongs
With the upcoming new version of ESX on the horizon, Cisco published more an more detail on the Nexus 1000V. The Nexus 1000V is Cisco's virtual switch which intergrates directly with ESX creating one distributed over all your ESX hosts. Besides this distrbuted switch Cisco also integrates the them in their management software. This gives network administrators the possibility to manage all switches, physical and virtual. Giving the power of networking back to where it belongs; with the network admins.
Cisco Nexus 1000v with policy based VM connectivity
More information about the Cisco Nexus 1000V can be found here. A nice video can be found here.
But during a presentation I attended Cisco also explained the Unified I/O concept. That was something that was new to me. But it's going to be possible to combine network and storage traffic over one connection a.k.a. Unified I/O. Wow! That's great. That would result in only two cables going into my server. But how does it work? Currently we have 10 Gbit available, but in the next year 40 / 100 Gbit will be introduced.
Combined with the ever growing capacity of CPU and RAM in servers this will result in VM host monsters. But how are all these new techonologies going to integrate with one another. Thankfully Brad Hedlund a Consulting System Engineer with Cisco and CCIE has written an article to explain this in detail. You can read about it here.
And as always a picture says more then a thousand words :
Click on picture for more detail
Cloud Computing Explained #2
Cloud computing, the term being hyped at the moment besides virtualization. Or is it the same a virtualization? Is cloud computing only infrastructure or is there more? You can probably see from my thoughts that the term "cloud computing" still isn't clear to me. But I don't think I'm the only one.
I'm reading all I can about it, but again a video says more then a thousand words. This second video (#1 can be viewed here) emerged on YouTube explaining what cloud computing is all about. So for all of you wanting to know more about this term see the video below.
Cloud Computing Explained
rPath created a video for everybody who is as confused as I was when I first heard the term "cloud computing". It explains cloud computing in plain english (as they state it). But also give you an explanation on how buzz words like virtualization, utility computing and software-as-a-service correlate to cloud computing.
Well get yourself a nice bucket of popcorn and enjoy!
