The Cloud Computing Assignment

The vitiate Computing AssignmentWith the development of meshing and calculator softwargon technology, there is a long term instauration of a new trend expected to continue, which is the so-c alled mottle Computing. (Hu, L et al, 2009)Boss et al. (2007, p. 4) argue that a bribe is a pussycat of virtualized computer resources. (Weinhardt, C et al, 2008)This paper will briefly look into the definitions of sully work out and its work models, and introduces a hide figure run by Google for schooling and universities with its expediencys.IntroductionBoss et al. (2007, p. 4), argue that a Cloud is a pool of virtualized computer resources.They pack obliterates to complement grid environments by supporting the wariness of grid resources. In particular, according to this definition, mottles allow the dynamic scale-in and scale -out of applications by the provisioning and de-provisioning of resources. (Weinhardt, C et al, 2008)The U.S. National Institute of Standards and app lied science (NIST) defines befog figuring as a model for enabling convenient and on-demand network bother to a divided pool of configur satisfactory figuring resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications and utilitys that dismiss be rapidly provisioned and rel rest periodd with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.Wikipedia website defines cloud reason as an Internet based computing, whereby sh ard resources, package package and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like a public utility.http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Cloud_computing.svg/300px-Cloud_computing.svg.pngIn cloud computing environment, applications and the storage of selective information are signifi cigarettetly diametrical.Applications and information are hosted to the Cloud and no longer footrace or saved on the personalized computers. The cloud is formed by a collection of servers and computers and viewing the dat a and utilise the applications are done via the Internet. Cloud computing allows the users to access the applications and information from any computer connected to the Internet from anywhere around the world. This makes the extraneous collaboration easier for the users.Although cloud computing brings a great flexibility and ease of use for the users, but the security and gum elastic of the applications and information is a study concern which must be considered and be prepared to solve any problems that may occur when switching to cloud computing as web-based data and applications birth potential security risks. (Hu, L et al, 2009)What Comprises Cloud Computing? tally to the definition of cloud computing by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which mentioned earlier in this paper, cloud computing produces availability and is comprised by cardinal essential characteristics, three cloud service models, and four cloud deployment models. (See send of f 2)Essential Characteristics return ModelsDeployment ModelsThe service models comprise cloud software as a service (SaaS), cloud platform as a service (PaaS) and cloud theme as a service (IaaS).Cloud software program as a wait on (SaaS)The users are able to use the providers applications rivulet on a cloud infrastructure. Users can access the applications from different thickening devices via a client interface such as web browsers. (For example, hayseed netmail which is web-based). The application providers manage and get wind the underlying cloud infrastructure including storage, in operation(p) systems and networks. This service model usually put limitation on configuration of the applications by users.Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS)The users are capable of deploying onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created by using programming languages and tools which are supported by the providers. Like (SaaS) the users don non manage or con trol the underlying cloud infrastructure including storage, operating systems and network but they have control on deployed applications and possibly are able to configure the applications.Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)The users are provided with the capability of provision processing, storage, and networks and able to deploy and run despotic software including operating systems and applications. Like the other two operate that mentioned above, the users do not manage the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over deployed applications, storage and operating systems. (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2009)DiscussionThe Internet service providers such as Amazon, Google and IBM are extending computing infrastructures and platforms as a marrow for providing top level function for computation, storage, database and applications. Figure 3 gives an overview of the type of cloud computing service on demand and their providers.Universities desires for ICT and cloud computingIn a very simplified way, the submits for ICT in a university are demonstrated in figure 4.There are different groups and departments in a university including students and lag who have demand for IT work. As shown in figure 4, an IT department should provide software such as email accounts, special applications for different courses and ironware such as computers and servers for the users.The IT department can shift these work to the cloud to enable students and staff using these services via the providers of SaaS, IaaS and PaaS.For example, an application which is launched by a student resides on the server of the SaaS cloud provider and is accessed via the Internet. Another example is, many of the Customer Relationships Management (CRM) software such as SugarCRM, Oracle and Microsoft CRM are on host SaaS as well as on premise.The same situation applies when extra ironware such as virtual servers or computers is take for students and staff. In this scenario, the IaaS cloud provider will execute the service online.If a department or group in the university wants to use all the software and hardware that they need online (i.e. for hosting application developed by a group of students) then it is executable through a PaaS cloud provider. (Sultan, 2010)Cloud Computing CostsCloud computing can help the universities to rationalize the way they manage their resources. superstar of the good reasons for shifting to cloud computing is to get economic benefit in current recession.Cloud computing prove to be a great benefit and empowering in some situations to the universities due to its flexibility and comprise structure. (Sultan, 2010)Simplification, be and convenience of the way of delivering computer related to services via cloud computing are the keys which should be considered for shifting to the cloud.Cloud computing reduces IT prices such as installation and maintaining of applications. withal continues upgrade of software a nd hardware and the cost of these products is another reason for universities to consider shifting to cloud computing. To promote the university and attract students, universities should always be on the lookout for the new IT services and products. Cloud computing is a way to achieve these products (Software Hardware) at affordable prices.The electricity costs for running an IT infrastructure in a university for hardware such as servers, switches and back-up drives could be very expensive. Therefore shifting a university to cloud computing is likely to reduce these costs and other related expenses. (Joint et al, 2009)In addition, cloud computing means shifting the management and indebtedness of these service and products to their provider. This may go out in cost saving with copulation to human resources as fewer IT employees will be needed for the IT department.Cloud Computing and the environmentBy reducing the number of hardware devices needed in the university to run the so ftware and applications and replacing them with cloud computing systems, the amount of money of energy for running and cooling the hardware devices will be reduced. Also using cloud computing telecommunication techniques such as effect and file transfers reduces the need for office space, purchasing office furniture, disposing of old furniture, buying chemicals for cleaning the offices and more. Those cloud telecommunication techniques overly may reduce the need for impulsive to work and resulting in decrease with relation to carbon dioxide emissions. (IBM, 2010)Google Apps for higher(prenominal) Education Less IT More IQGoogle offers cloud computing services for higher reading and is called Google Apps. Google Apps consists of advanced communication and collaboration tools for education and universities without the cost and complexity of maintaining on-site hardware and software free of charge and advertisements. soon many of the universities, colleges and schools from all ar ound the world including Kingston College, University of Leeds and University of Portsmouth in the UK are using Google Apps. (See figure 5)Google Apps enable the students getting connected to the campus with mobile access wand 7 GBs email storage which is protected against spam and viruses. It in any case enables them to stay connected with built-in instance messaging (IM), voice and goggle box chat and file transfering. Students can share calendar and schedule groups, board and so on from even mobile phones.Creating and sharing documents such as word, spreadsheets and presentations online from any location by students and t each(prenominal)ers is the collaboration feature of Google Apps. They can also share videos that anyone can comment on, tag and rate. Also they are able to build shared websites that include videos, images and documents, create forums and mailing lists.Using Google Apps helps the IT staff to focus on other activities such as adding value to the IT facilities quite than being worried and engaged with the IT problems which may occur. There is no software to install, and no need for hardware. Google Apps have created a multitude of APIs and have approved partners to help the universities for integrating with their existing IT system. (Google, 2010)ConclusionCloud computing is an emerging and a good model of delivering computing services for education by relying on existing technologies such as Internet, web services and virtualization. It offers the universities substantial cost saving and more efficient way of providing IT services to the students and staff. The universities can reduce their IT services cost such as software, hardware, and criminal maintenance of the applications and shift the responsibility of the IT services to the service providers.Google Apps is an example of cloud computing system for education which is discussed earlier in this paper. Students can get genuinely benefits of Google Apps such as 7 GBs email storage, easy collaboration with each other and the lecturers and so on.Furthermore, cloud computing is environmentally friendly as the reduction in number of hardware devices decreases the amount of energy for running and cooling those devices. Also cloud computing telecommunication techniques reduces the need for driving to work and results in reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.It is important to consider that cloud computing might not be suitable for all organisations such as those which the loss of service as a result of cloud problems is a major concern and may have an invasion on their customer services and loss of sales. Unreliable IT services in a university makes a bad reputation and have effect on the university rank.In conclusion, with the speed of technology innovation and the benefits of clouding it is likely that in the near future the education centres shift their IT services to the cloud. Therefore the safety and security of the critical data and information is an issue in cloud computing which should be considered by the providers to attract the education centres. For example the fairness would possibly allow the governments or other organisations to access certain data and information. Thus for the time being the universities should consider clouding only on certain data and resources not the critical information.