Planning and Implementation of Cloud Computing

Planning and Implementation of Cloud Computing

in NIT’s in India: Special Reference to VNIT

Dr. Ravikant M. Deshpande Bharati V PatleLibrarian

Ranjana D. Bhoskar

Library Trainee

Library and Information Resource Centre

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology,S. A. Road, Nagpur – 440025

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Abstract

Cloud Computing and Information Network both are emerging facets in the field of Information Science (IS). Cloud computing has potential to bring another wave of changes to organizations. Overall, planning and implementation of cloud computing will be beneficial in the terms of library level as well as institutional level to manage by cloud. In this paper we present RECs/NITs resources to move on for managing cloud computing. Making the decision to use cloud-based services means balancing the elements of cost, risk, and benefit to decide whether those services advance the mission of the library as well as institute. RECs/NITs Libraries can take advantage of the cloud in numerous ways, such as data sharing including discovery tools, current status of research, and software as service which depends on the cloud, email systems and social networking etc. Article recommendsa road for globalizing REC’s/NIT’s libraries.

1Introduction

“We can’t bind Sun rays,

We can’t block the way of Water,

We can’t bind knowledge in Libraries,

We can’t stop the Technical Revolution,

Similarly, we can’t stop progress in Cloud Computing”

Networking concept is extensively used in the Libraries. They have developed robust frameworks for resource sharing and cooperative cataloging, leveraged publisher and aggregator platforms to deliver electronic collections, and created vibrant consortia and groups that share services across regions and countries. Cloud Computing is a new paradigm in the delivery of e-resources on demand over the internet. The technical foundation of cloud computing is based on service oriented architecture (SOA) and virtualization of hardware and software, and internet technologies. Cloud computing promises to change the way library computing is performed now, lift all technological barrier coming in the way of sharing distributed library resources and provide new tools to make access to global library resources easier and simpler and ensure that both libraries and all users can benefited from remote infrastructure and services.

The NITs (National Institute of Technology in India) have been in existing since 6 decades. They have very good developed hardware and software to manage their resources at institute level. But the resources that have been developed by them have little recognition on global level. Hence the institute in general and libraries in particular has tremendous resources that can be put on cloud thus allowing those resources to go global and sharable. The resources that are to be possibly shared have been further identified in this chapter. Moving on the cloud for the resources need careful consideration about data security, network access speed, skilled manpower and legal issues to mention a few. There are lot of pros and cons to be considered before moving on to the cloud with well studied advantages and disadvantages.

2Libraries moving on cloud

The fast growth of technology needs for shifting traditional libraries to modern libraries. Libraries all over the world suffer from common problems like flexibility associated with the digital data, lower level of efficiency, and huge cost involved in managing the entire IT infrastructure themselves. Few options are available when it comes to collaborating with other libraries as well which is the prime reason for subordinate levels of efficiency. Cloud computing would help up in bridging the gap between digital libraries and IT. Sharing of data among the libraries will in principle reduce the overall cost and increase the efficiency. Capital expenditure done on infrastructure will chiefly be converted into operational expenditure. It will also enhance the users experience and will help in making the libraries a lot more scalable.

Shift from Traditional Library to Modern Library

3Cloud Computing Essential Characteristics

3.1On-demand self service

A user can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as applications, server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service’s provider.

3.2Broad network access

Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e. g. mobile phone, laptops and PDAs)

3.3Resource pooling

The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple users using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to user demand. There is a sense of location independence in that the user generally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e. g. country, state or datacenter). Examples of resources include storage, processing, memory, network bandwidth, and virtual machines.

3.4Rapid elasticity

Capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capability available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any time.

3.5Measured Service

Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g. storage, processing, bandwidth and active user accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled and reported providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

4Plan Cloud Library Services

4.1Platform as a service (PaaS)

Platform as a service is a type of services meant for cloud developers, means to develop a platform to build up, install and control SaaS applications. This platform usually includes databases; software glue with its infrastructure and services is internet accessible by patron. Cloud-computing platforms are emerging from a number of organizations like OCLC (WorldShare Platform), ExLibris (Alma), Serials Solution, Library Thing, Hathi Trust, SirisDynix, Summon, DuraCloud, Google App Engine. Microsoft Azure services, CloudFoundry, Amazon Web Service, and Enterprise KOHA have since demonstrated the usefulness of cloud computing in hosting libraries on to a common platform.

4.2Software as a service (SaaS)

Software as a service a software distribution form in which applications are hosted by services supplier and ended to clientele over the internet. Clientele purchase the facility to access and utilize an application or service which is packed in the cloud. SaaS is usually available on demand and via the internet and can thus be configured remotely. SaaS service providers offer special selections of software running on their infrastructure. SaaS is also known as software on demand. Thus, this service is highly cost-effective and location independent. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as web browser (e. g. Web-based email).

4.3Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

Cloud computing offers virtualized systems to access to computer hardware resources such as networks and storage. IaaS, Infrastructure as a service, defined by the variety of services to supply, i.e. servers, storage and network hardware. IaaS provides virtual machines and other related hardware and software systems through a service-based application programming interface (API). The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where 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. Education ERP.net, Microsoft Flexiscale, Amazon S3, Cloudstatus, GoGrid, and Oracle Coherence are offering IaaS.

5Deployment Models of Cloud Computing

5.1Public Cloud

The public cloud is mainly is for public use, which can be accessed by everyone. It is mainly use by large organization or institution. In this deployment the cloud infrastructure is accessible to general public and shared in a “pay as you go” model of payment. The cloud resources are accessible via the internet and the provider is responsible for ensuring the economies of scale and the management of the shared infrastructure. It is highly scalable and automated provisioning of commodity computer resource. The Google App Engine, Microsoft windows Azure, IBM Smart Cloud and Amazon EC2 are example of public cloud. In this type of cloud, the organization does not access or use the public cloud which is accessible to the general public.

5.2Private Cloud

Private cloud and internal cloud are terms used to describe offering that emulate cloud computing on private network. It is infrastructure to be operated within the organization, for the users who wants to share specific information within the institution. In this modelthe cloud resources are not shared by unknown third parties. Clients’ security and compliance requirements are not affected though this offering does not bring the benefits associated with reduced capital expenditure in IT infrastructure investments. The general public does not have access to the private cloud neither does the organization use the public cloud.

5.3Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud is the combination of infrastructure of two or more clouds i.e. public or private. One hybrid cloud servers its clientele with the collection of multiple public or private clouds as per their demand and requirement. A hybrid cloud exhibits the characteristics of both public and private clouds. It achieves maximum cost reduction through outsourcing which is a feature of public clouds, and maintains high degree of control over sensitive data, which is a feature of private cloud. An example for hybrid cloud would be library data stored in private cloud of each participating library and application running in the public cloud / community cloud

5.4Community Cloud

A community cloud is applicable to serve a common function or purpose. In which cloud services are shared by several organizations and support a specific community that has shared and similar concerns. These services may be managed by the organizations or third party and may exist off site. It may be for one university or for several universities, but they share common concerns such as their mission, policies, online resources, union catalogues, security, regulatory compliance needs, and so on. This community cloud model for library can be very suitable model and can be deployed at various levels (Institutional Consortia, National and International.) very much similar Government or G-Cloud. This type of cloud computing is provided by one or more agencies for use by all, or most libraries

6Status of REC’s/NIT’s in India

India is a huge country with a population of more than 1 billion. In India, by tradition, education and learning are highly valued. In fact, India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with regard to the number of institution. Education is a necessity. It is the most effective instrument with which the people can acquire the knowledge, skills, and capability to develop wisdoms it is developing nation. The seeds for some of India’s higher education institutions were planted in the latter half of the Twenty Century. National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are premier institutes of engineering and technology in India and are the new faces of the earlier Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs).

In the year 2002, the Govt. of India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development, decided to upgrade all the 17 existing Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) as National Institutes of Technology (NITs), on the lines of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The NITs have the responsibility of providing high quality education in engineering and technology to produce competent technical manpower for the country. Libraries being treasure house of knowledge and information are one invaluable way to provide informal education since each library is a hub of all academic activities.

All the 30 NIT’s now offer degree courses of Bachelors, Master and Doctorate levels in various branches of Engineering and Technology. The entire non recurring expenditure and expenditure for post graduate courses during the REC times were borne by the central government. On the other hand the entire recurring expenditure on undergraduate courses was shared equally by the central and state government. NITs have a Central Library equipped with technical books, literature, fiction, scientific journals, and other electronic material. Most have digitized their libraries. Some provide an intranet library facility. Every departmental library has high-speed connectivity. Electronic libraries allow students access to online journals and other periodicals through the AICTE-INDEST consortium, an initiative by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Students also have access to IEEE documents and journals. While some have video conferencing facilities, others are upgrading under the World Bank funded TEQIP scheme.

All REC’s / NIT’s have various factors are responsible for moving on towards sharable e-resources as well as institution records for finding statistic easily and it should be provide access only to authorized, authenticated users and those users need to be able to trust that their data is secure in cloud computing.

Institute Status as National Importance Uninterrupted Technological Support from the Institute

Facilities for E-resources Facilitating Management Support

RFID Implementation Adequate Financial Support

Automated Library Aid from MHRD

Qualified Network Support TEQIP Funding

Library Digitization in Progress ISO Accredited LIRC

Hold of INDEST-AICTE Consortium Well Qualified and Trained Human Resources

Well Organized Library on Functional Basis Well Defined Policies Rules and Regulations

7Cloud Computing Challenges Shaping Library Services REC’s/NIT’s in

India

Increasing competition for resources and attention across NIT’s and communities is driving changes in the ways resource centers work and collaborate. NIT’s resource centers are investing in programs and technologies that can raise the visibility of and access to their resources. NIT’s resources Centre are coming together for facing challenges for shaping library services.

Build capacity and impact through cooperation

The need for broader, diverse partnerships

Challenges of proving relevance

Finding new efficiencies as budget pressures intensify

Dynamics of serving and education system under reconstruction

Amplify the value they bring to the community they serve

Rethinking the library’s role in the terms of greater collaboration and cooperation with other institutions

Redeveloping the library’s online presence to better address user needs

The need for new types of analytics and metrics more closely tied to performance measures

Share innovative and efficient solutions to keep up with the rapid pace of change

Analyze data in new way that link library value to student learning, educational value and community impact

Demands to deliver resources electronically, ubiquitously, seamlessly

Managing the transaction from print to electronic media

Keeping pace with the rate of technological change

Leverage their higher-value services

8Planning and Implementation of Cloud Computing in REC’s/NIT’s

Every new technology has advantages over the previous one, but necessarily lacks some of itspredecessors attributes. Familiarity, which no doubt breeds contempt, breeds also comfort; thatwhich is unfamiliar breeds distrust. Planning is a continuous process, it changes in the course of time and in the light of experience as we ourselves change. For fulfilling the patron demands there is a necessity for improvement in the plan and implement of new technologies. If planning and implementing innovative technologies in library are introduced to understand and fulfill the needs of the 21st century digital native users in one face of the coin, then assessing and accounting for the success of these services is the other important face of the same coin

Cloud-Computing is a different form of IT infrastructure. Information software or other IT services are stored and accessed via third party servers connected to the internet, rather than on individual computers or on private servers. This is not a new concept. Anyone who has a web-based email account such as ‘Hotmail’ or ‘Gmail’ is using a simple form of cloud-computing. Amazon, Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Google and Yahoo are just a few of the major IT companies who are developing or expanding their offerings to the commercial sector by giving businesses the opportunity to out-source various elements of their IT infrastructure with access achieved via the Internet (also known as “cloud-sourcing”)

Cost savings and a reduced burden of running and maintaining IT Infrastructure is the key features that make cloud-sourcing attractive. Removing storage and processing burdens on businesses can save huge amounts in capital cost (in terms of having to provide hard drives and servers to physically store and process data) and running costs (the housing and maintenance of on-site servers). There are also arguments that this can reduce a business’s carbon footprint.To make Real-Time Library with Cloud-Scale Integration successful in today’s global, 24×7 information environmentand library/information center’s operations need to be plugged into the Web. Library systems have to connect seamlessly to users and all the rich resources available online. In this webcast, we need to learn about the technologies and operation models that enable real-time connections with users and resources, and find out the characteristics to look for when selecting a cloud integration platform.