Cloud Computing Could Become a Powerful Ally of the Green Movement

Simply put, cloud computing could also be called "remote computing". Cloud systems basically use networking to deliver computing resources to its users. As previously stated, this is in essence, merely the combining of resources into one entity. This not only affords us the opportunity to manage energy efficiency more effectively, it also gives users the opportunity to requisition more resources (like processing power) as needed. All individual machines / terminals can be setup to simply turn off when inactive for a length of time. However, the real reason that cloud computing is more efficient than its grid counterpart has to do with the way the energy is used centrally.

If you can imagine all computing resources being resigned to one central location, and then in turn distributed to individual nodes, it's not hard to see how more efficient distribution is achieved; but what about servicing it? This is yet another one of the great facets of cloud computing, its ability increase the effectiveness of IT. Because cloud computing is so highly centralized, there is no need for IT personnel to make constant trips around their company to deal with issues. This is because all the individual "systems" or "machines" are virtualized; now IT workers can basically do their job without having to leave their department.

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Cloud Computing Services - Finding the Right Provider Is Easier Than You Think

It goes without saying that cloud computing services can make the things a lot easier for you; ironically, finding the best cloud provider for the same can be noticeably difficult. However, there is nothing to worry about; you can find the right provider with utter ease if you know how to narrow down your search. Needless to say, you must not turn a blind eye, and should try your best to make an informed decision.

To begin with, you must look for a managed application run time. In other words, it should preferably be the responsibility of the cloud service provider to monitor each and every component, and keep an eye out for vulnerabilities. Secondly, the chosen provider must make the necessary arrangements for application cloning, and allow you to clone the entire production environment, if required. Nevertheless, following are some of the other things that you must keep in mind when finding a suitable provider for cloud computing services:

Extensible configurations - By and large, the service provider would install or configure all the required components and packages; however, at times, you might need something which has not been already provided to you. In such a scenario, it is important that you extend the existing configuration management system by writing an appropriate recipe. For this purpose, you need to have extensible configurations; it goes without saying that their absence can cost you dearly.

Monitoring and alerting - Needless to say, getting a cloud application platform, and utilizing it to the fullest are not one and the same. To derive the maximum benefit out of the chosen platform, you need to be alerted every now and then; here, it is worth mentioning that any option which fails to so must be avoided at any cost. The right provider would leave no stone unturned to keep a tab on resource utilization, and alert you, as and when required. Believe it or not but timely alerts would let you know if you are in need of some additional capacity, thereby helping you plan the things accordingly.

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Stronger laws, security needed to implement cloud, says Sibal

In the ICT era, you will need new solutions like cloud computing to take on the enormous business challenges, said Kapil Sibal, Communications and IT Minister. But at the same time, certain rules need to be in place to ensure data safety, especially in cases where data is hosted in foreign countries.

"What is the legal liability of those who house data for others and in event there is a violation of that privacy. What then is the legal procedure for compensation? And if the server is not in India, what kind of bilateral arrangements between countries should be put in place to ensure privacy and protection of your property? he asked. Sibal was speaking at a national seminar on Information Security in Cloud Computing organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in association with Albion Infotel.

With over 250000 gram panchayats being connected over fiber optics; everybody is being connected at an enormous speed. However, security is a very important aspect which should be addressed while we are putting together the building blocks of this new technology in India, added Sibal.

IT Secretary J Satyanarayana said any company, which intends to adopt cloud computing, needs to assess its security needs. "The company then needs to create an accountability matrix which is satisfactory. With adoption of new technology, implementation and training become critical aspects to be addressed," he said.

PHD Chamber organizes National Seminar

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in association with Albion Infotel, has organized a national Seminar on Information Security - Cloud Computing: Implications for MSMEs. The seminar provided a platform to reflect on the importance of remote storage of information through cloud computing and the growing threat to information security – a major area of concern for most subscribers of cloud computing.

Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and IT, Government of India; Sanjeev Gupta, President & Managing Director, Albion Infotel Pvt. Ltd; and Sandip Somany, President PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were present at the day-long seminar and discussed pertinent issues relating to Data, Information and Cyber Security. The focus of the seminar was on leveraging IT at its best without compromising the security of remotely stored data.

Shri Kapil Sibal said, “With over 2,50,000 gram panchayats being connected over fiber optics, everybody is being connected at an enormous speed in India. In the new world, we need new solutions and cloud computing is a business model to manage competitiveness of businesses in this environment. However, security is a very important aspect which should be addressed while we are putting together the building blocks of this new technology in India.”

Sandip Somany said, “With growing advancements in technology, cloud computing is the buzz word today. There are many reasons why organizations of all sizes are adopting this technology, especially MSMEs due to the reduced need for physical infrastructure. Cloud computing will create nearly 14 million jobs within the years of 2011-15. We now need to better understand optimal use of this technology while addressing concerns about security and privacy.”

Sanjeev Gupta said, “Cloud computing is a technology that emerged during the recession period for companies to reduce costs and infrastructure management. Shared infrastructure and scalability are options provided by the service providers.”

The seminar also included a technical session, including experts from Albion, VMware, EMC2, Kaspersky and Data Security Council of India to address technical and materiel aspects of the information security in the context of cloud computing.

Types of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has three different types of services to offer. Depending on the users' requirements, each type of cloud computing service is employed either individually or in combination with others. Following is a brief on the three types of cloud computing services.

Software as a service (SaaS)
SaaS is also known as "on-demand software". The users of SaaS instead of completely buying the license of different software rent the software periodically and use them through an internet browser. The variety of software made available by SaaS is very wide. There are a number of software delivered by SaaS used by businesses that deal in content management, human resource management, accounting, ERP, customer relationship management and other relevant areas.

The software-as-a-service type of cloud computing is growing very fast while the largest market for software-as-a-service current is customer relationship management.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)
(PaaS) provides computing platforms to users of cloud computing. It is also the link between the other two services provided by cloud computing i.e. SaaS and IaaS.

A normal computer requires a computing platform that includes hardware architecture along with a framework of software. Such a platform is the base of collaboration of the hardware and software that includes the computer's operating system, architecture and languages. Hence, when it comes to cloud computing, in the absence of a real computer, it is Platform as a Service that provides the users with all that is required to compose a computing platform.

Some of the facilities that PaaS offers include hosting, deployment, testing, and application development and application design. Furthermore, cloud service providers offering PaaS include a number of features to design, test, deploy, host and run applications. All of these facilities can be availed by individual as well as business clients by subscribing to a single package with all of the features included.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is the third type of computing via the cloud. Just like PaaS and SaaS deliver different software and hardware facilities based on a cloud platform, IaaS delivers a virtualized platform. The process of hardware virtualization shows users only the abstract computing platform instead of the physical features. Such virtualization leads to the creation of what is known as 'virtual machine monitor' or 'hypervisor' that enables the creation of the third part of cloud computing i.e. Interface as a Service.


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How to Choose a Cloud Computing Service Provider

With so many cloud computing companies on the market today it means that choosing the right one who understands your business infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult. It is therefore important that you know what your exact requirements are so that you can do research and evaluate who the best cloud provider is for you. When carrying out your research there will be certain criteria that you should be looking for. Below is a list of the top four fundamental selection requirements for choosing a Best cloud service provider:

1) Reliability and Reputation
To understand a company's reliability and reputation it will be important to understand who the company is and how long they have been in the industry. It will also be important to look into the type of clients that a cloud provider has and what partnerships they have established. To fully understand a provider's reliability and reputation it would be worthwhile talking to some of their clients and partners to see what they have to say about the company. This is often the best way to gauge the reliability and reputation of a company first-hand.

2) Suitability
It will be important to fully understand whether your business has suitability to move into a cloud environment and what cloud computing solution is right for you. To understand suitability of the different types of cloud services you should look to providers who offer no-obligation free trials. This way you can see whether your business is acceptable in a cloud environment and see how the cloud service works before you make a long-term commitment.

3) Support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Support and SLAs are vital to ensure against any downtime of the cloud. When looking at a cloud provider's support commitment you need to ensure that they will work quickly if any issues or downtime arises and that problems are dealt with in the agreed manner and to the agreed timescales. You should look for companies with dedicated support that have the capacity to deal with problems as and when they arise. When you speak to a cloud computing company or meet them at their offices you should ask to see the support department.

4) Security of the Cloud
Any company that moves into a cloud environment needs to ensure security of the environment and their business systems and processes. It is important to ensure that the selected cloud service provider offers a secure infrastructure at all levels and throughout the cloud services that they offer. The data centres that are provided will also need to be understood to ensure a consistent level of security as well.

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Remote Infrastructure Management

RIM deals mainly with IT Infrastructure Management and applications. At this time many business solutions organizations offer RIM services which are very beneficial for their customers. One of the most important services among these is storage management, helping in the usage of storage devices to protect the important data. Many companies provide help desk services which is an information and supporter resource that troubleshoots the problems with computers. These services are provided to the clients via email, toll-free nos., websites, etc. and some organizations have their own in-house help desks. Some technical institutions also offer these kinds of help desk services in which they perform same tasks as a help desk.

Now we talk about server management like Server Support services. Server is a computer program which is running as a service to serve the requirements of other programs which may not be running on the same computer system. A server computer is a series or a computer that links other systems of electronic devices together. They provide their services across a network to private users or public users through the internet. Internet server monitoring comprises website monitoring and is much bigger term. Monitoring a web server is to monitor continuously whenever the services go down and the server owner gets the alert. Website monitoring is also a part of server monitoring. Under this a test process is done to confirm whether the end-users are able to interact with a website or web application.

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