Cloud Computing

We can see that the term cloud computing is used to mean hosting of hardware in external data centre, utility computing, platform services, and application hosting. It is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product. It represents a new business model in which the service is delivered using different internet protocols. According to “computer world” magazine, “Cloud computing describes a system where users can connect to a vast network of computing resources, data and servers that reside somewhere "out there," usually on the Internet, rather than on a local machine or a LAN or in a data center. Cloud computing can give on- demand access to supercomputer-level power, even from a thin client or mobile device such as a smart phone or laptop”.  The cloud service providers deliver service through internet, which are accessed using a web browser client while the actual business software and server are at a remote place. One classification of cloud is based on the different layers at which we can share the services; this is possible once the computers are connected using internet protocols. The different layers are

• Client
• Application
• Platform
• Infrastructure
• Server

Now we will see where the services provided by the companies fit in the above set of layers. The cloud client represents software or hardware or a combination of both which facilitates the cloud operation. The cloud client doesn’t have an independent use if cloud doesn’t exist. Example can be a web browser

Application layer represents software as a service (SaaS). SaaS is software that is developed and hosted by the SaaS vendor and which the end user accesses over the Internet. Unlike traditional applications that users install on their computers or servers, SaaS software is owned by the vendor and runs on computers in the vendor’s data centre. Broadly speaking, all customers of a SaaS vendor use the same software: these are one-size-fits-all solutions. Well known examples are Salesforce.com, Google’s Gmail and Apps, instant messaging from AOL, Yahoo and Google, and Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) from Vonage and Skype.

Next layer is platform layer. Cloud services in this layer is known as platform as a service (PaaS), which delivers a computing platform or solution stack as service. PaaS provides virtualized servers on which users can run applications, or develop new ones, without having to worry about maintaining the operating systems, server hardware, load balancing or computing capacity. Well known examples include Microsoft’s Azure and Salesforce’s Force.com. It facilitates deployment of applications without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers.

In infrastructure layer cloud services are known as infrastructure as a service (IaaS). IaaS means cpu, grids or clusters, virtualized servers, memory, networks, storage and systems software are delivered as a service.  It delivers computer infrastructure – typically a platform virtualization environment – as a service, along with raw (block) storage and networking. The best known example is Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3), but traditional IT vendors such as IBM, and telecoms providers such as AT&T and Verizon are also offering solutions.

The server layer represents the hardware and software solutions to provide the cloud services.

In order to satisfy the requirements of the business, the cloud should have some properties. Clouds should be uniquely identifiable so that the clouds can be used with other applications and with other clouds. Dynamic configuration of clouds is also an important requirement.  A cloud must be secure and system management technologies for cloud should integrate the constraints on business and the constraints on the infrastructure to make them manageable in aggregate.

Public cloud is one deployment type of cloud in which the resources and services are shared to general public on self service based in internet. Community cloud is a type of deployment in which cloud shares infrastructure between several organisations from a specific community with common concerns (security, compliance, jurisdiction, etc.), whether managed internally or by a third-party and hosted internally or externally. Private cloud is another form in which cloud is operated for an organization and the infrastructure required will be provided in the organization itself. A hybrid form of above described deployments is also possible based on the requirement of the business.  

There are so many things in favour and against cloud computing. The great advantage of cloud computing is “elasticity”: the ability to add capacity or applications almost at a moment’s notice. It is now a viable business option for corporations and industry, the reasons for which are many: decreased costs, usage-based pricing, increased functionality, improved collaboration and communication, resource pooling, and 'anywhere access' to applications and data. A small initial cost and pay as you go approach may appeal to small scale industries, but the total cost of ownership for a long run will be more in the case of cloud. Larger companies may find it is easier to have collaborations in cloud since it won’t ask for any access to company’s local network from the other company.  

Even though we talked a lot of god things about cloud computing, there are downsides also for the cloud. We may not have a control over our data in cloud as we have in our own system. The system management tools for cloud may not address all of the system management issues pertaining to one particular company.  The cloud users risk their data in cloud systems because the cloud systems use proprietary encryption standards and this may not be recoverable on a system failure or if the company wants to work with another cloud provider. So the major disadvantage is that different service providers use different technology and standards in cloud. Clud increase the technology dependency of the business.

The migration to cloud may drive so many business opportunities. The content and technology providers will give more importance to content protection, access control, secrecy, end user licensing etc. Designs and trademarks will become more important, increasing the need to ensure the protection they provide for traditional goods and services also available in the online environment. Business depends on the receiving payment from someone so the copyright protection will be too much important in cloud world. Unlike the packaged software model - where you're selling the software itself - in most cloud models, you are only selling access to remotely-executed software. This opens up new payment models - for instance, on-demand, subscription and metered services - as well as entirely new business models - for instance, ad-supported software. Cloud will encourage more business to go online and provide service through internet.

According to one report in Economic times on June 27, 2011, what the shift to cloud computing means to India “As this shift ushers in an evolution in IP law, courts, legislature, technology companies and consumers will face a growing number of complex legal, commercial and policy issues. Given its vibrant software sector and highly-educated technical workforce, India is likely to be the source of significant innovation in cloud computing. This, combined with significant growth in intellectual property assets that has averaged 11% annually over the past three years - according to a report, IP landscape in India, by Zinnov Management Consulting - means that India is among a handful of countries with the opportunity and expertise to be at the forefront of the technical, business and legal developments relating to cloud computing.”