Cloud Computing India Introduction and Overview - by karROX

Editor's Notes

• #3: Every decade a new, lower priced computer class forms with new programming platform, network, and interface resulting in new usage and industry.Gordon Bell…
• #4: According to an August 2009 survey of more than 200 information technology (IT) professionals, the term “cloud computing” brings a host of definitions and perceptions that may, in fact, stall enterprise adoption of cloud computing technologies. ” Nearly 40 percent of IT professionals answered “yes” to the question, “when I hear the term 'cloud computing,' I am generally confused given the many definitions” (52% answered “no”). Thirty-three percent believe cloud computing is more hype than substance, while 24 percent “weren't sure.” As expected, the understanding of cloud computing isn't any clearer in other areas of the enterprise. For example, just 24 percent of respondents believe their CEO could define cloud computing while 59 percent responded their CEO would fail at the task. Finance directors would have a more difficult time defining cloud computing according to respondents – only 10 percent said their finance heads could accurately define cloud computing.
• #6: We now have the ability to run our applications on thousands of servers, but previously this wasn’t even possible. To say it another way, we can potentially use several years worth of energy in literary a few hours, where previously this wasn’t even an option. So in direct contrast, hypothetically we’re using more resources, not less. On the flip side, if we bought those thousand servers and had them running (underutilized), the power usage would be significantly higher. But then again, buying those servers would have been out reach for most, so it’s not a fair comparison. There we are–back, at where we started. You may use 80 percent less energy per unit, but have 1,000 percent more capacity, which at the end of the day means you’re using more, not less energy.”“…the increased efficiency of the hardware components in most cloud data centers and the increased utilization of these components mean that we are almost certainly doing more work per unit of energy consumed than before. However, I think we’ll have to wait awhile before there is evidence of the overall effect of cloud computing on the planet…one way or the other.”
• #12: Service Models:Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting environment configurations.Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).SAASSaaS Is simply the cloud vendor providing the given piece of software you want to use, on theirservers. That is, unlike PaaS in which you developed your own application, SaaS providesthe application for you. The line between SaaS and PaaS gets a little blurry, but the delineation is whether theprovider supplies the application (SaaS) or simply provides a mechanism to develop your ownapplications (PaaS). The gray area becomes even more marked by companies like Google orSalesforce that offer both types of services. For instance, not only can you build an applicationwith Salesforce, but you can also allow others to use the application you developed.Let’s delve a little more deeply into Salesforce and Google.Rich Internet application web sites , Application as Web Sites , Collaboration and email , Office Productivity , Client apps that connect to services in the cloudPAASPlatform as a Service (PaaS) is a way to build applications and have them hosted by thecloud provider. It allows you to deploy applications without having to spend the money tobuy the servers on which to house them. In this section we’ll take a closer look at companiesRightScale and Google.. APIs for specific service access for integration , Web-based software service than can combine to create new services, as in a mashupIaasIn this scenario, you’re using the cloud provider ’s machines. Another term for this type of computing is Everything as a Service. That is, you are using a virtualized server and running software on it. One of the mostprevalent is Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). Another player in the field is GoGrid. Virtual servers ; Logical disks ; VLAN networks ;Systems Management
• #13: Cloud architecture,[19] the systems architecture of the software systems involved in the delivery of cloud computing, typically involves multiple cloud components communicating with each other over application programming interfaces, usually web services.[20] Complexity is controlled and the resulting systems are more manageable than their monolithic counterparts.CS – Queue Hosted queing for for storing messaes as they travel between computers; CP – Web Frontendlopers AMAZON ec2 – scaling esier for del=v ; CI – billing VMs ; CS – Database Amazon Simple DB provides a simple API for storage and accessAmazon S3 is a storage solution for retrieving input datasets and forstoring the output dataset• Amazon SQS for durably buffering requestsacting as a “glue” between controllersl developers can move data between distributed compon. • Amazon SimpleDB for storing intermediatestatus, log, and for user data about tasks. • Amazon EC2 for running a large distributedprocessing for example can microsoft win 2003 Microsoft web plat form including asp.net
• #15: Cloud infrastructures are a highly efficient evolution of server virtualization and the scale-out deployment model—but companies should note this evolutionary path isn't a fit for all applications. That being said, cloud computing platforms are more than just shared, multi-tenant infrastructures on the public Internet. Three infrastructure-as-a-service cloud deployment options are available to enterprises today, each with unique characteristics and economics that can help optimize application and service deployment objectives:Deployment models
• #16: Community cloudA community cloud may be established where several organizations have similar requirements and seek to share infrastructure so as to realize some of the benefits of cloud computing. With the costs spread over fewer users than a public cloud (but more than a single tenant) this option is more expensive but may offer a higher level of privacy, security and/or policy compliance. Examples of community cloud include Google's "Gov Cloud".[49]mputing basis.
• #17: Public cloud or external cloud describes cloud computing in the traditional mainstream sense, whereby resources are dynamically provisioned on a fine-grained, self-service basis over the Internet, via web applications/web services, from an off-site third-party provider who shares resources and bills on a fine-grained utility comouting
• #18: Private clouds sit within your data center and behind company-built protections, but they typically have modest economies of scale due to funding limitations and tend to be less automated. Private cloudPrivate cloud and internal cloud are neologisms that some vendors have recently used to describe offerings that emulate cloud computing on private networks. These (typically virtualisation automation) products claim to "deliver some benefits of cloud computing without the pitfalls", capitalising on data security, corporate governance, and reliability concerns. They have been criticized on the basis that users "still have to buy, build, and manage them" and as such do not benefit from lower up-front capital costs and less hands-on management[51], essentially "[lacking] the economic model that makes cloud computing such an intriguing concept".[53][54]
• #19: Hosted clouds run at a service provider on resources that are walled off with enterprise-class protections but managed as a pool. These fall between the first two options, providing more custom protections like an internal cloud but with the greater economies of scale of being a service from a cloud provider. Hybrid cloudA hybrid cloud environment consisting of multiple internal and/or external providers[50] "will be typical for most enterprises".[51] By integrating multiple cloud services users may be able to ease the transition to public cloud services while avoiding issues such as PCI compliance.[52]Another perspective on deploying a web application in the cloud is using Hybrid Web Hosting, where the hosting infrastructure is a mix between Cloud Hosting for the web server, and Managed dedicated server for the database server.
• #25: Software as a service (SaaS): A SaaS application runs entirely in the cloud (that is, on servers at anInternet-accessible service provider). The on-premises client is typically a browser or some othersimple client. The most well-known example of a SaaS application today is probablySalesforce.com, but many, many others are also available. Attached services: Every on-premises application provides useful functions on its own. Anapplication can sometimes enhance these by accessing application-specific services provided inthe cloud. Because these services are usable only by this particular application, they can bethought of as attached to it. One popular consumer example of this is Apple’s iTunes: Thedesktop application is useful for playing music and more, while an attached service allows buyingnew audio and video content. Microsoft’s Exchange Hosted Services provides an enterpriseexample, adding cloud-based spam filtering, archiving, and other services to an on-premisesExchange server. Cloud platforms: A cloud platform provides cloud-based services for creating applications. Ratherthan building their own custom foundation, for example, the creators of a new SaaS applicationcould instead build on a cloud platform. As Figure 1 shows, the direct users of a cloud platformare developers, not end users.
• #26: Whether it’s on-premises or in the cloud, an application platform can be thought of as comprising threeparts: A foundation: Nearly every application uses some platform software on the machine it runs on.This typically includes various support functions, such as standard libraries and storage, and abase operating system. A group of infrastructure services: In a modern distributed environment, applications frequentlyuse basic services provided on other computers. It’s common to provide remote storage, forexample, integration services, an identity service, and more. A set of application services: As more and more applications become service-oriented, thefunctions they offer become accessible to new applications. Even though these applications existprimarily to provide services to end users, this also makes them part of the application platform.(It might seem odd to think of other applications as part of the platform, but in a service-orientedworld, they certainly are.)
• #28: It is not a binary choice, but rather a choice along a continuum
• #29: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #30: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #31: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #32: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #33: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #34: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #35: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #36: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #37: By combining the 2, you end up with this conceptual map
• #38: No different than SQL when it started SQL used as a file system OK, but not optimal Need to embrace the relational model to make the most out of itEXAMPLE!
• #39: Cloud storage involves exactly what the name suggests—storing your data with a cloud service provider rather than on a local system. As with other cloud services, you access the data stored on the cloud via an Internet link.Cloud storage has a number of advantages over traditional data storage. If you store your data on a cloud, you can get at it from any location that has Internet access. This makes it especially appealing to road warriors. Workers don’t need to use the same computer toaccess data nor do they have to carry around physical storage devices. Also, if your organization has branch offices, they can all access the data from the cloud provider. 
• #40: The best-known cloud storage service isAmazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3), which launched in 2006.Amazon S3 is designed to make web-scale computing easier for developers.Amazon S3 provides a simple web services interface that can be used to store and retrieve any amount of data, at any time, from anywhere on the Web. It gives anydeveloper access to the same highly scalable data storage infrastructure thatAmazon usesto run its own global network of web sites. The service aims to maximize benefits of scaleand to pass those benefits on to developers.Amazon S3 is intentionally built with a minimal feature set that includes the followingfunctionality:• Write, read, and delete objects containing from 1 byte to 5 gigabytes of data each.The number of objects that can be stored is unlimited.• Each object is stored and retrieved via a unique developer-assigned key.• Objects can be made private or public, and rights can be assigned to specific users.• Uses standards-based REST and SOAP interfaces designed to work with anyInternet-development toolkit.Amazon built S3 to fulfill the following design requirements: • Scalable Amazon S3 can scale in terms of storage, request rate, and users to support an unlimited number of web-scale applications.• Reliable Store data durably, with 99.99 percent availability. Amazon says it does not allow any downtime.• Fast Amazon S3 was designed to be fast enough to support high-performance applications. Server-side latency must be insignificant relative to Internet latency. Any performance bottlenecks can be fixed by simply adding nodes to the system.• Inexpensive Amazon S3 is built from inexpensive commodity hardware components. As a result, frequent node failure is the norm and must not affect the overall system. It must be hardware-agnostic, so that savings can be captured as Amazon continues to drive down infrastructure costs.PART II• Simple Building highly scalable, reliable, fast, and inexpensive storage is difficult. Doing so in a way that makes it easy to use for any application anywhere is moredifficult. Amazon S3 must do both. A forcing function for the design was that a single Amazon S3 distributed system must support the needs of both internal Amazon applications and external developers of any application. This means that it must be fast and reliable enough to run Amazon.com’s web sites, while flexible enough that any developer can use it for any data storage need. Design PrinciplesAmazon used the following principles of distributed system design to meet Amazon S3requirements: • Decentralization It uses fully decentralized techniques to remove scaling bottlenecks and single points of failure.• Autonomy The system is designed such that individual components can make decisions based on local information.• Local responsibility Each individual component is responsible for achieving its consistency; this is never the burden of its peers.• Controlled concurrency Operations are designed such that no or limited concurrency control is required.• Failure toleration The system considers the failure of components to be a normal mode of operation and continues operation with no or minimal interruption.• Controlled parallelism Abstractions used in the system are of such granularitythat parallelism can be used to improve performance and robustness of recovery orthe introduction of new nodes.• Small, well-understood building blocks Do not try to provide a single service that does everything for everyone, but instead build small components that can beused as building blocks for other services.• Symmetry Nodes in the system are identical in terms of functionality, and require no or minimal node-specific configuration to function.• Simplicity The system should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
• #41: As with so many other technical choices, security is a two-sided coin in the world of cloud computing—there are pros and there are cons. In this section, let’s examine security in the cloud and talk about what’s good, and where you need to take extra care.. 
• #42: The first and most obvious concern is for privacy considerations. That is, if another party is housing all your data, how do you know that it’s safe and secure? You really don’t. As astarting point, assume that anything you put on the cloud can be accessed by anyone. Thereare also concerns because law enforcement has been better able to get at data maintained ona cloud, more so than they are from an organization’s servers.
• #43: IDC conducted a survey of 244 IT executives about cloud services. As Figure 2-1 shows, security led the pack of cloud concerns with 74.5 percent.In order to be successful, vendors will have to take data like this into consideration as they offer up their clouds
• #44: That doesn’t mean that there aren’t reputable companies who would never think of compromising your data and who aren’t staying on the cutting edge of network security to keep your data safe. In a glass-half-full world, that’s what all the companies are doing. Butin reality, even if providers are doing their best to secure data, it can still be hacked, and then your sensitive information is at the mercy of whoever broke in.The best plan of attack is to not perform mission-critical work or work that is highly sensitive on a cloud platform without extensive security controls managed by your organization. If you cannot manage security at that rigorous level, stick to applications thatare less critical and therefore better suited for the cloud and more “out of the box” security mechanisms. Remember, nobody can steal critical information that isn’t there. Before signing on with a reputable vendor, keep in mind, also, that they are doing all theycan to protect your data. Now, there is a school of thought that says, in fact, that vendorswill be going above and beyond to ensure that your data is secure. This is a simple matterof doing business. If word gets out that they don’t protect the data they house, then no onewill want to do business with them.There’s also an issue of performance and efficiency. Since you pay as you go, if youspend an inordinate amount of time on CPU cycles using their security tools, you’ll golooking to the competition.Ultimately, while we like to think that they’re doing their best, their best simply mightnot be good enough. There are a lot of ways that their cloud and your data can becompromised.
• #45: The use of the cloud provides a number of opportunities: It enables services to be used without any understanding of their infrastructure.Cloud computing works using economies of scale:It potentially lowers the outlay expense for start up companies, as they would no longer need to buy their own software or servers. Cost would be by on-demand pricing. Vendors and Service providers claim costs by establishing an ongoing revenue stream.Data and services are stored remotely but accessible from “anywhere”. In parallel there has been backlash against cloud computing:Use of cloud computing means dependence on others and that could possibly limit flexibility and innovation:The others are likely become the bigger Internet companies like Google and IBM, who may monopolise the market. Some argue that this use of supercomputers is a return to the time of mainframe computing that the PC was a reaction against.Security could prove to be a big issue:It is still unclear how safe out-sourced data is and when using these services ownership of data is not always clear.There are also issues relating to policy and access: If your data is stored abroad whose FOI policy do you adhere to? What happens if the remote server goes down? How will you then access files? There have been cases of users being locked out of accounts and losing access to data.