SUMMARY

Cloud computing is using the principle of using processing power of a remote computer to run programs which are displayed on a local computer through a network. Today, number of smartphone, tablet users is increasing. Along with the development of smartphones and tablets are bundled services, notably cloud services.

Cloud service is the delivery of software or storage which was packaged so it can be automated deliver to customers. According to a study of London’s School of Economics, cloud computing is one of fastest growing sectors of information technology. Cloud computing not only offers the convenience for personal users; it also makes more efficient business processes for business users.

Cloud computing provides their service according to three models: infrastructure as a service (laaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). LaaS is the most basic. Cloud clients can connect to these services by web browser or mobile application.

In the SaaS model which provides customer relationship management (CRM), email, virtual desktop, communication, games…Our group has discussed some examples of this model such as UNCC email system which was move to Microsoft’s Outlook online service, a cloud email services. With Google documents and Microsoft SharePoint, users can connect and collaborate on documents and projects. Another application was discussed in our blog is cloud gaming. Onlive is a new cloud gaming service. This is gaming on demand which delivers games from the cloud to users PC or TV. The benefit of this service is users don’t need to download those games to their PC or a high configuration PC to play high quality games. Games will directly stream into user’s browsers and users only need a stable internet connection and a normal PC, tablets, TV or smartphones to play games.

Another model in cloud computing is LaaS, which provides virtual machine, servers storage, load balancers, network… One of most common using services is cloud storage services which provide many benefits for Internet users. It is a convenient way to store and share data while saving storage space on their PC or other devices such as smartphones, tablets…However, besides the advantages of this service, it is also related to copyright issues or data lost if the provider’s servers crashes. In order to solve the data lost problem, we can replicate data over multiple servers for maintain the data exchange. In the case of MegaUpload, a popular file storage and sharing website that was recently confiscated by the US government under the suspicion of piracy and copyright infringement. Many users lost their data when this site was closed. Moreover, users can face with the risk of data loss from hackers when cloud storage server being hacked.

The last model in cloud computing is PaaS, which provides execution runtime, database, web server, development tools… When cloud service is developing more, the number of users increases so the amount of servers, databases will grow more. In order to manage those amounts of servers, companies such as Scair.net appear to help to control and management the servers. Scalr is a software that auto-scales websites. Besides, Scalr provides other features such as disaster recovery and server management. Our group has discussed three reasons why you should use Scair in your businesses or personal use. The first reason is that Scair can bring the simplicity and automation to cloud computing management. Second reason is that you can easily management your server such as added, changed or deleted. The last reason is cost benefit.

In summary, although cloud computing has some negative and side effects, it is still developing and attract more users because of their benefits. These models which we have discussed will continue to create new generations of applications and business. A new Internet based service where everyone cans easily working on the Internet that alternative to traditional business.

Management of Cloud Computing

Management of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is making astounding progress as our technology of this system is now becoming more knowledgeable to the "common eye", we can grasp the concept of it being used to share information throughout all devices that a user owns, but it has given them easy access to picking up where they left off at if it be during class, work, or even at the doctors office! But with such technology one much ask about how is it all Managed? Well with such companies as Scair.net, these are questions that can be answered!

CEO and Founder Sebastian Stadil of Scair gives great insight into his company, as it is an open source cloud computing management company for those of use of Cloud Computing on a low or even high scale. One of his primary goals when he was writing the code for Scair is he wanted to manage the usage of Cloud Computing, so thus he gives the example of a grocery store line: "when a stream of visitors comes to a store's checkout, a manager decides to open quickly new cash registers to regulate the influx". He goes to explain how when your infrastructure is in need of more demand Scair will automatically handle any necessary demand increase, but as well if will control and recognize unnecessary servers that demand has decreased. He goes into great length to even show you what the company is all about in his tutorial video

Sebastian gives three reasons onto why you should use Scair in your companies or even personal use where multiple servers are being required in the cloud computing world. First he states it "takes away the repetition away from managing infrastructure, he simply states that Scair brings simplicity to your cloud computing management but as well everyday needs. He states that with Scair you can easily manage 10,000 servers easily as 10, and that Cloud management brings automation. Second, "it keeps you organized" with things constantly added, changed, or even deleted you are always in a constant change of state so with this Cloud Computing Management gives you the benefit of knowing things will constantly be managed and upheld. Third, "it gives you visibility" one of the most important things with companies, cost? With Cloud managing you can easily cut down on all costs and making sure that all influx that is incurring is incurring in a profitable manner!

If you or your company are high users in Cloud Computing and it is one of your necessary uses everyday at work, you may want to consider Scair software just do to the simple fact Sebastian and his company have already gained over 6000 companies thus far as users. Although the service many lower to medium size enterprises that truly enjoy their services and commitment to make their life easier, they as well service Samsung Electronics.

Lastly ask yourself, with the "idea" of Cloud Computing being so simplistic and the future into sharing in the business world, you may manage your company or companies, but who is going to manage your Cloud Computing servers. With Scair.net it is an easy and accessible way for anyone to can control and management of their servers and as well Cloud Computing usages!

http://www.cloudcomputingdevelopment.net/managing-cloud-infrastructure-with-scalr/

http://scalr.net/tour/

Problems in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is an innovative and convenient way to share data. Cloud computing gives users the ability to save information and data online all while saving space on their own computers or devices, whether it be a smartphone, tablet, or traditional PC. Further, users often do not have to download software in order to gain access as many of the services are available via a web browser. However, cloud computing as it currently stands, has its disadvantages. Though many technology buffs may contend that cloud computing is the next best thing since the invention of sliced bread and the internet, we should first address the consequences that may arise from our growing dependency on it.

Take a minute first and try to come up with your own list of problems that could prove to be an obstacle for the aspiration of cloud computing. Only by recognizing the current disadvantages of cloud computing can we improve upon its weaknesses in order to advance further in the field of information systems technology.

One of the problems with cloud computing is that there is a chance your data could be lost if the cloud provider’s server crashes. Many host providers try to solve this by implementing heavily redundant systems which minimizes downtime should one of the cloud’s servers go down; however, this method can become expensive to provide as the data storage grows. Worse yet, data could be lost and irretrievable due to an unannounced or unplanned business failure of the cloud’s provider. Relying purely on cloud servers for data storage could prove to be a costly mistake if the cloud’s servers were to be forcibly shut down. Take for example the case of MegaUpload, which used to be a popular file sharing and storage website that was recently confiscated by the US government under the suspicion of piracy and copyright infringement. Many users’ of MegaUpload lost their data when the site was abruptly shut down, taking with it over 25 million gigabytes of stored data – the case is still under investigation. Without personal backup of cloud-stored information, users run the risk of losing their data at any given time.

Another growing problem with cloud computing is the relatively weak security checks set in place by most service providers. Even users of well-known cloud services, such as Apple's iCloud, is susceptible to being hacked. Brent Dirk sums up the situation quite nicely, stating simply that, "while you can pull up your information on any device, [now] hackers can too”. Having all of your information stored together under one source can be convenient, but can quickly become an ordeal if your account with the cloud provider were to be compromised.

Another possible problem is because your data is in the cloud it needs to be encrypted, sometimes when you try to retrieve the data, it might have missing pieces and because of that will be unusable. And most obviously because all this data is in a huge cloud it will be easy for hackers to find the data and steal it.

What are other possible problems that cloud computing has, and what are your suggestions for figuring them out?

Sources:

http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/gartner-seven-cloud-computing-security-risks-853

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240089111/Top-five-cloud-computing-security-issues

Cloud Gaming

Cloud computing is making itself known to entrepreneurs eager to take advantage of its innovative technology; however it could also be considered disruptive technology to the traditional video gaming industry’s business model.

Steve Perlman and Mike McGarvey created a new online game distribution system called OnLive. Similar to movies on demand, this is gaming on demand. It allows users to play video games without ever having to install the game into their own PCs. Using cloud technology, OnLive stores a library of games on its own servers which will then directly stream into the user’s browser. This method will also allow users to play high quality games with just the bare minimum hardware requirements and stable internet connections. OnLive will take care of the technical side of things by upgrading and updating its hardware, thus enabling the user to play the latest games without ever having to upgrade their own system.

“OnLive presents a much more efficient and profitable distribution model than the standard retail structure. That's because the system is all digital, cutting down on physical distribution costs, and because it is designed to eradicate piracy and second-hand sales, both of which are banes of the publishers' existence“- Daniel Terdiman

The service can be streamed to smartphones, tablets, and televisions. Currently the company’s servers are hosted by 5 data center locations throughout North America. The closer the user is to one of these locations, the higher the quality of service.

So herein lies the problem, the quality of the stream depends on the user’s internet speed, reliability, and their distance away from the hosting server. Most broadband providers are not exactly 100% reliable in providing the quality service needed for OnLive to perform to the customer’s expectations. The quality of OnLive’s service currently relies heavily upon the user’s internet provider. Simply put, they lack the complementary assets of having widespread fast and reliable broadband providers.

While OnLive provides a new and perhaps more convenient way to get access to video games, it does not provide a higher quality of gaming for the user. Even with video compression, latency is still a huge issue that needs to be addressed. There is potential for this company to grow in the future, but first they must fix the limitations imposed by the users’ internet connection. Perhaps the company could focus on a niche market of individuals who are not technologically savvy enough or financially able to upgrade their own PCs.

What do you think? Do you feel that OnLive’s business model is viable enough to survive in the long run against its competitors?

OnLive demonstration video

Introduction to Cloud Computing

According to a recent study by London’s School of Economics, cloud computing is one of the fastest growing sectors of Information Technology and is one of the few areas currently fueling economic growth.  Cloud computing goes hand-in-hand with the growth of smartphones, as rising smartphone usage has created a need for ubiquitous information; information that is seamlessly synchronized or accessed across multiple platforms.

Cloud computing enables users to check email on one computer and seamlessly pick up where they left off on another.  While this is a convenience for personal users, more importantly it makes for more efficient business processes for business users.

One of the most significant advances across the past several years regarding cloud computing involves email.  Email has moved to the cloud rather than being tied to one specific computer. One needs to look no farther than UNC Charlotte’s decision to move email hosting to Microsoft’s Outlook online service.  Likewise, document collaboration has moved to the cloud. No longer must files be passed via email attachment for constant revision.  With tools like Google Documents and Microsoft’s Sharepoint, business users can connect and collaborate on documents, specifications, and projects regardless of location or time.  

Businesses are finding that their employees need access to critical information across more than just the traditional desktop and laptop systems, that cloud computing allows that need to be met on newer platforms such as smartphones and tablets. This means that executives can view digital dashboard information on a tablet while at a strategic meeting with the board of directors. On the other end of the spectrum, a plant manager can access data about employee absences and move employee resources as necessary to fill in the gaps in production whether at a desk, or out on the production floor.  


This blog aims to explore the technology behind cloud computing, what advantages are offered for businesses that migrate their resources to cloud computing, and also the possible negative and side effects for businesses that may have a difficult time adjusting to this shift in Information Technology.  




London's School of Economics study on Forbes.com