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Cloud Computing
Josh Olson
ComputerScience
University of Wisconsin Platteville
Abstract
Cloud computing, a relatively recent term, defines the future of the computing world. While being seen as a recent creation, the cloud has been developing over decades of computer use. It is able to utilize virtualization, distributed computing, utility computing, and networking while at the same time implying a service oriented architecture where software and platforms are offered. There are some advantages along with disadvantages that cloud computing brings to the table. These along with different types of clouds are ever changing and being developed to better meet the user's needs.
History of the Cloud
Although the term "Cloud" seems to be the next big thing in the computing world, the idea has been around since the 1960s. The term itself seems to come the drawings of networks that used cloud shapes to denote the network and its components. The cloud is simply a refined and evolved version of the "intergalactic computer network" envisioned by J.C.R. Licklider. His vision was for everybody in the world to be interconnected and accessing program and data from anywhere, on any site.
Since the 60s the idea of the cloud has evolved at an extremely rapid rate. The ideas have been around, but the necessary bandwidth has just started to become available. The first major breakthrough in cloud computing was arrival of the Salesforce tool in 1999.[10] Salesforce was able to deliver enterprise applications via a simple website. This paved the way for future companies and applications.
In following years, Amazon Web Services joined the cloud scene by releasing their line of cloud services including storage, computation and even artificial intelligence. Amazon then became one of the first cloud service providers when they allowed companies, both big and small, to rent out time on one of their servers to run applications.
The most recent factor in the clouds increasing development is the emergence of Google and Microsoft in the cloud market.[2] Google started offering browser-based applications that allow users to complete a variety of tasks ranging from calendars to storing and editing data live on a website, all to be stored on the cloud. Microsoft has starting making a push towards the cloud with the introduction of Windows 8 and the Metro UI. Applications available on the new Microsoft operating system encourage the user to store all their information on Microsoft's version of the cloud. By integrating the process into the operating system that users interact with on a daily basis, the cloud is at the fingertips of the users even more than ever.
Advantages of the Cloud
Possibly the best part of cloud computing is that instead of rending a physical server, a virtual abstraction is instead rented. For anybody who has rented a server before, it usually takes a fair amount of time going through the setup. After that lengthy process, one might have to run updates and install any necessary software. Then if you even want to add another box, you will be required to go through the whole process again.
This same scenario in the cloud is completely different. Instead of requesting a new physical server, a time slice on hardware that is already running is all that is required. Cloud providers have extremely beefy hardware already running using a large amount of virtual machines to allow for multiple clients to use the same hardware. Instead of talking to the sales department and waiting for them to get the new server online, you simply log on using account credentials and create a brand new virtual machine with the required specifications on the spot.
Cost Reduction
Making the transition to cloud computing can reduce costs for companies of all sizes. Companies are no longer required to buy their own hardware or even software, they are simply able to use the hosting company's product.[4] Problems with updates, both hardware and software, are also reduced as they are the responsibility of the host. If a company is hosting an application that will be used by clients, it is also possible to reduce the costs for the necessary bandwidth and power. The ability so scale to any size is another advantage of computing in the cloud.
Scalability
The scalability of the cloud is another extremely attractive attribute for companies. The traditional methods of buying and configuring the hardware to meet current and potential growing needs are time consuming and expensive compared to what is possible in the cloud. Take a company that requires 100 servers during peak hours as an example. The two choices using traditional methods would be to either have 100 servers, which would waste resources during non-peak hours, or have less than 100 servers and lose customers during that peak.[3] Using the cloud, dynamic scaling is possible based on the current needs of the system.
Easier Management of Data
Because all data is kept in a centralized location when using the cloud, it becomes much more manageable. Keeping data organized is always a problem, especially with a large employee base. Individuals already have trouble keeping their own data organized overall, even when provided with all types of organizational techniques, including source control, personal storage drives on the server, etc. By keeping everybody's applications and data in one location, not only is organizing much less complicated, but employee's activities can be more easily tracked for management and auditing purposes.
Disadvantages of the Cloud
Perhaps the most difficult part of working with the cloud is that not much is known. Providers of the cloud systems are often running colossal, insanely complex systems that involve hundreds of thousands of computers and virtual machines. These system are basically a void to the users of these services, the inner workings are unknown. When something goes wrong, the user may not even know where to begin looking.
Dependency
Dependency is the largest problem with the cloud in its current state. By investing in cloud technology, there is also a large amount of trust being put onto the service provider. The renter has no control over the quality of the servers being used and has no influence on the frequency of maintenance or fixes that will be implemented. It also becomes difficult to make sure that the desired level of contingency procedures are in place. Is the renter supposed to believe what the service provider says as their backup, restore and disaster recovery procedures go? The risks cause more stress on the choice of a service provider. If something becomes unfavorable, it becomes near impossible to make the transition to an alternative service provider's cloud. Another factor that remains in the control of the service provider is the measurement of resources and application activities. The renter has to believe whatever numbers they are provided with by the service provider. There is also the worst possibility of all, if the service provider would enter a troubled financial state, what would happen to all of the data stored on their cloud service? Because these service providers have all of the data in their hands, ownership can become a possible issue.
Ownership and Mobility
Once a cloud service is chosen and data is placed on the servers, who does this data belong to? If the cloud service is ever stopped, is it possible to retrieve all of the stored data, and will it be removed after all data is retrieved? These are possible issues involving the ownership of the data placed on the cloud. A problem that stems from this fact is that once data is uploaded onto the cloud, it has become mobile. The clouds draw can also become its own weakness. By allowing users to access data from almost anywhere, on almost any device, the risk to keeping data in a single place becomes extremely difficult.
Security
The largest concernsabout cloud computing are the security and privacy of data and applications. Users may not be comfortable with handing over data and valuable information to a third, often offsite, party. This becomes and even more sensitive subject when companies with to keep sensitive information using a cloud based solution. Even with the majority of service providers insisting that their servers will remain virus and malware free, the concern of large server farms being shared with multiple clients becomes relevant. This ties into the further concern of privacy. How can a company ensure that unauthorized users are not able to access their private data stored on the cloud? Most provides try to counteract this risk through developing complicated passwords, account, and other data security measures. These measures are often put into place using security servers where all information is required to pass through before reaching the cloud servers themselves. After all, if a cloud service's reputation is ruined, it will become almost impossible to keep clients interested.
Security also becomes an issue when multiple virtual machines may be running on the same hardware, the same way that a shared host runs many websites simultaneously. The degree that cloud provides go to guarantee the isolation of their virtual machines is often hard to find. Examples of the companies that do provide information regarding this are Amazon and Rackspace. Amazon has offered significant details of their policies while also claiming a variety of certifications that are available, while Rackspace has stated that applications requiring PCI compliance should not use their cloud servers. While it is possible for the necessary security measures to be in place, patience is required when choosing a cloud solution to ensure that security practices are at the required level.
Types of Cloud Computing
Figure 1: An example of how multiple clouds are able to interact with each other
Public Cloud
Public clouds are what most people think of when they refer to the cloud. Large service providers that have the infrastructure, services, and software all living in the provider's data center, which is supported by high availability and large platforms. The users of these public clouds benefit from having someone else manage the solution along with the fact that security is often handled for the user by the provider. The general lack of complication makes for extremely easy setup and the ability to scale on-demand. Instant access to resources is available using the public cloud method as provided by companies such as Amazon, Google, and Rackspace.[6][7][9] The first people to take advantage of this type of cloud service were people that had probably already been doing so in the form of hosting web sites or internal data centers.
Private Cloud
These leaders into the world of the cloud wanted to quickly be able to profit from their investment; this was the beginning of the private cloud. These cloud systems can provide a more redundant and secure cloud service by being able to invest in redundant hardware, when required, and by creating security on the hardware level instead of the software only level that the Public Cloud used. These types of clouds can also connect privately to the customer by using VPN or a private WAN. It suffers from the inability to scale as easily and also the complexity of management;keeping the redundant servers and the new security features organized and working correctly. These private clouds are safe and will generally pass the inspection of any auditor. But some systems require more than the public cloud can offer while also not requiring all of the extra features that the private cloud can provide;this is where the hybrid cloud steps in.
Hybrid Cloud
The hybrid cloud is a simple concept, if some content works in the public cloud, and some in the private, why not both? The hybrid cloud refers to the combination of these two separate services in any combination. The problem with the hybrid cloud is that it adds a significant amount of complexity to the infrastructure. Because of the combined public and private clouds, and both having different requirements, they live in different network segments, with different security, and possibly even different locations. While providing the possibility for a better overall system, the complication of the system will increase greatly.
Virtual Private Cloud
The term virtual private cloud is a fairly recent creation, it refers to the idea that you can use a high availability infrastructure, like the public cloud, but the customers are segmented into virtual networks. As a result, the fail-cover and also the scalability of the public cloud are available, but customer isolation and security of the private cloud are also available. This isolation allows the customer to add their own hardware-based security and use private connections to the cloud.
So why isn't the virtual private cloud the number one answer? Setting up such a complex system takes time. It's hard to automate and is expensive to create the private networking and security. This type of system also doesn't scale operationally, but does meet the demands of the average businesses who want to use the cloud, but not deal with the setup or risks.
Conclusion
Figure 2: Future developments in the computing industry
With cloud technology growing by the day, alongside the reduced hardware costs, the usability of cloud systems is growing faster than ever. People are able to spread and share information like never before. Using cloud technology allows data to be more easily accessible to only those that should have access. One thing is certain, even though cloud technology is in its infancy, it is growing at an astonishing rate.[5]As technology advances even further, and the cloud becomes more and more integrated into our daily lives, reality will become closer to the idea of ubiquitous computing.
References
[1] Buyya, R., Yeo, C. S., Venugopal, S., Broberg, J., & Brandic, I. (2008, 11 21). Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility. Retrieved Mar. 10, 2013, from Elsevier:
[2]
Ian Foster, Y. Z. (n.d.). Cloud Computing and Grid Computing 360-Degree Compared. Retrieved Mar. 10, 2013, from Cornell University Library:
[3] Chiu, David. "Elasticity in the Cloud." ACM Crossroads - Spring 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. < computing&search_term=cloud computing#pg4>.
[4] Ko, Ryan K. L. "Cloud Computing in Plain English." ACM Crossroads - Spring 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. < computing&search_term=cloud computing#pg7>.
[5] Rosen, Guy. "The Business of Clouds." ACM Crossroads - Spring 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. < computing&search_term=cloud computing#pg28>.
[6] “Amazon Web Services.”Amazon Web Services. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <
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[10] “Salesforce” salesforce Web 10 Mar. 2013.