Cloud Computing Simplified
It’s the Internet
4/11/2009 Rowe and Company, LLC James Rowe
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Table of Contents
Cloud Computing Is What ............................................................................................................................. 3
Cloud Computing - You’re Using It Already .................................................................................................. 4
Cloud Computing – Our Heads Are There..................................................................................................... 5
Cloud Computing First Quarter 2009 Reports Say Maturity ......................................................................... 6
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Cloud Computing Is What
There are so many buzz words when computers and technology are discussed. I, like everyone else, seeks simplification and understanding of jargon. One such case is “cloud computing.” Let’s really make comprehension fuzzy using a term like cloud with synonyms including haze, murk, vapor, smoke and veil. At the Web 2.0 Expo last year a Jay Leno M-O-S style survey video was conducted to determine if anyone fathoms “cloud computing.” The video is humorous but telling how many ways even professionals and the informed view cloud computing. Here’s how many often represent the cloud visually. The individual, the human, we must always remember, is shown in the graphic as workstations connecting to the cloud and services inside the nebula.
“Cloud computing describes a system where users …connect to a vast network of computing resources, data and servers that reside somewhere "out there," usually on the Internet, rather than on a local machine or a LAN or in a data center.” That is part of the definition Russell Kay writes in his Computerworld article “QuickStudy: Cloud computing.” I’ll simplify the explanation of the “cloud” as the Internet and the connecting term “computing” as anything done on the web from a human interface device. I had to use HID. There have been so many attempts at defining “cloud computing” Martin McBrown in a blog post at Computerworld decided to write “What cloud computing isn't.” McBrown refers to outmoded technology that compares analogously to cloud computing. He is right when he argues, what now seems like obsolete technology be excluded from the concept of cloud computing. The boardroom phrase I’m most often amused with is “going forward.” We are always going forward, IMHO. I’ll leave the humor behind in this case. Further discussion of cloud computing here considers only what it offers.
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Cloud Computing - You’re Using It Already
Cloud computing is the Internet as far as I’m concerned. The second generation of the web brings tremendous fortuity for business and individuals. InfoWorld.com queried vendors, analysts and IT customers attempting to determine how the “cloud” is being used. Of course first on the list is software as a service (SaaS). The nom de guerre of software served up on demand and as needed via a browser for less cost. Business to business cloud computing is such a string of buzz words. Utility computing is one business serving commerce’s need for more computing power. Some argue against such a practice as befitting the definition of cloud computing. Services offered on the Internet suit the criteria. Google maps and PayPal are good examples. Give it some thought and you’ll come up with others on your own. There are many Internet services for businesses. All kinds from wikis (file sharing services) to customer services like call and support centers. A managed service is a commercial service for businesses that exists because of the Internet or cloud. You’re using the cloud when you subscribe to free email services and photo sharing. The attraction to cloud computing is independence. Rod Fontecilla in “Cloud Computing: A Transition Methodology” lists what he calls “key characteristics” of the cloud: Minimized capital expenditure - infrastructure is provider-owned Device and location independence Multi-tenancy - enables resource and cost sharing among a large pool of users Monitored and consistent performance - can be affected by high network load Reliability via redundant sites - allows for business continuity and disaster recovery Scalability to ever-changing user demands - results in lower costs Improved security from centralized data and increased security-focused resources At cnet.com Dawn Kawamoto points to a Google chart late last year on searches for cloud computing. There are clear increases in interest. Undoubtedly because of potential cost savings and efficiency boosts. Those are a couple of news production requirements hardly ever seen in each other’s company.
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Cloud Computing – Our Heads Are There
When everyone is networked, and we’re on our way, cloud computing will be widespread but just as invisible and seamless as it is today. We use the cloud unwittingly every day. It should be that way. Bounteous services will be demanded as more people become constantly networked or connected to the Internet. I believe that’s what is going to drive growth in cloud computing. Webmail is a good service to start understanding cloud computing’s utility. Email addresses that never change. How about photo and video sharing? All the family pics can be shown from your phone but they’re really stored on a server where anyone you invite can view them. You can do that now. Software you’ll use on your handheld. You’ll have access to your files from anywhere at any time you have a connection. The consumer demand is there and the Pew Research Center report documents it. Seems just late last year everyone voted cloud computing the latest tech talk topic. All of sudden we realize there are commercial, governmental, and even personal uses for the all encompassing phrase “cloud computing.” How Stuff Works is a good to learn about many things as well as cloud computing. InformationWeek has a Guide to Cloud Computing. A Google search returns numerous resources for edifying yourself about the cloud. Cyber shopping is getting long in the tooth and the Internet in its 20s. It’s all maturing and at the rate of Moore’s law. If you’ve got time to spare you have resources for learning as much as you should need to know for Cloud Computing 101. How many cyber-shoppers last December do you think realized they were cloud computing when they confirmed purchases? There are some big players entering the game and they’re coming up with some really exciting services. The push is on to take advantage of Web 2.0.
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Cloud Computing First Quarter 2009 Reports Say Maturity
Who wants to play in the cloud? There are quite a few. It’s a geeky debate when you get cloud computing enthusiasts together. Sort of like Beta vs. VHS or television vs. radio debates in my opinion. People will make the choice as the dust settles. cnet news attempted to identify the players. AT&T targets businesses for networking and storage services. Amazon.com spent millions to play with developers and ad hoc services they require. Dell appears to be focusing on datacenter services. Microsoft is like “don’t leave us out” we’re looking at cloud computing. And Google is probably saying hey, we’ve been here for you. cnet has almost bi-weekly stories posted on cloud computing and its validity. The debate appears more what use will define cloud computing. Personally I think many and varied uses will result as the norm. It’s based on the Internet which I defined as the “cloud” at the start of this paper. How many ways do you use the Internet? At least one vendor is in research and development mode dealing with cloud computing and another is already recruiting service resellers. I’m trying to offer a clue to the range of services. We hope it indicates the state of an information utility documented as having arrived. I’ve tried to simplify the concept of cloud computing. For the individual look at Google offerings and for business Cisco has a huge push for corporations. Cisco immediately gives you a taste of their Goliath size and money they have to explain it in simple multi-media style. I like the four frame flash (it can’t be more) of the list of other players Cisco shows in its video. To me that indicates competition is heating up. So when the contest heats up those of us who would require services need begin thinking and watching closer.
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Cloud computing is the Internet in a simple term.
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270 Grove Street,Suite 2-400,Newton,MA 02466 www.roweandcompany.biz 617.663.5747 Telephone