Martin Huth presents Cloud Computing

Martin Huth 2013

Martin HuthThe leading name in IT Solution Software

PresentsCloud Computing

“The Future of Computing”

Martin Huth 2013

Cloud Computing “The future of Computing”

A short history of

“Cloud Computing”

Martin Huth

PC Client Server Web Services

Cloud Services

Cloud Computing is a new and exciting trend which many businesses, even in the information technology field, are a little “cloudy” about.

Introduction

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What are the advantages of cloud computing, as opposed to maintaining an infrastructure?

Are there different levels or types of cloud computing?

Who exactly are these cloud computing providers?

Are there security ramifications when utilizing cloud computing?

How much control do you have over your data when you migrate to the cloud?

Introduction

Martin Huth

As a result of the current world economic situation, any solutions that offer substantial cost savings will attract consideration from financial officers. Chief Information Officers and other technology professionals, both in the private and public sector, must be prepared to answer questions on this type of technology.

Technology professionals must be prepared to move their organization in the right technological direction, be that to the cloud or continuing to maintain an independent infrastructure or in many cases a hybrid solution.

• What is cloud computing anyway?

• What exactly is the history of cloud computing?

• What is the status of cloud computing today?

• Who are the cloud computing service providers?

• What is the cost and cost savings in respect to cloud computing?

• Security and cloud computing – is it safe?

• Who is using cloud computing today?

• Is there a long term track record?

Questions About The Cloud

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And finally….Is cloud computing a realistic option for local government (using the Borough of West Chester as a case study)?

The idea of “cloud computing” dates as far back as the 1960s, when John McCarthy envisioned a time when “computation [is] organized as a public utility”.

This vision of McCarthy’s is somewhat profound, considering where computing actually was in the 1960s. The 1960s represent what many refer to as the “second generation” of computers. Computers of the era were of solid-state design and relied on transistors.

1960 brought into being the first small computer with its own keyboard and monitor. The term “computer” had not even been used at this point. The creator of this first small computer, Digital Equipment Corporation, called it a “Programmed Data Processor”. It sold for between $125,000 and $150,000. It is in this technologic environment that John McCarthy, an American computer scientist, spoke of organized computation similar to a public utility being possible in the future.

Cloud Computing – Not Such a New Idea

Martin Huth

Shortly after the dot-com bubble (1995-2000), the online shopping company Amazon played a major role in the development of cloud computing by redesigning their data centres. Amazon was trying to find a way to use more of their computer network capacity, which was about 90% unused. The company eventually initiated a new product and launched Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2006, which offered cloud computing for external customers.

Google, IBM and a number of universities followed Amazon’s lead and in 2007 started a large and coordinated cloud computing research project. By this point cloud computing was marching forward with some organizations switching away from company-owned hardware and software assets.

Cloud Computing – Not Such a New Idea

Martin Huth

The Hidden World of Cloud Computing

Here are some examples of currently accepted “cloud computing” services which many businesses have been utilizing for at least the past 5 years.

Remote backup services: Many businesses remotely back up data. This service has become much more cost effective and applicable because of affordably increased bandwidth capacity. The continued trend in high bandwidth availability has spawned many credible online backup services such as Corbonite and Mozy. Email Services: Email services such as Google (Gmail), Microsoft (Hotmail) and America Online (AOL) provide email services in which account holders connect through their browser. These email providers store the account holder’s email at their data centres. Invoicing Services: Recently companies such as FreshBooks have begun offering invoicing services to companies, in which all invoicing needs are handled through the customer’s browser with the data being stored at a remote data centre. This allows companies to offer professional invoicing while maintaining the smallest possible computing infrastructure in order to keep cost down.

If “cloud computing” is broadly defined as having applications and data stored and accessed remotely, then these services are evidence that “cloud computing” has indeed been used for much longer then most businesses would initially believe.

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Defining Cloud Computing

For business purposes, cloud computing is defined as “anything used outside of a system’s firewall”. However even this definition alone, simple as it may be, does not accurately describe the evolving concept of cloud computing. Once thoroughly researched, it becomes quickly apparent that cloud computing almost always includes a pay-per-use or subscription service.

Quite simply, cloud computing can be accurately described as:

1. Anything outside of your system’s firewall

2. Including a pay-per-use or subscription service that extends a business’ information technology, using the internet as the primary access point.

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Defining Cloud Computing

One thing is for certain.

Cloud computing today remains true to John McCarthy’s 1960s vision of utility computing, where companies purchase their computing needs in the same manner as conventional utility services such as electricity, water, telephone access and television.

This basically replaces the existing information technology model of major capital investment with a pay-as-you-go philosophy in its place.

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Approaches to Cloud Computing

Software as a Service (SaaS) has been gaining strength as the most successful model with respect to cloud computing. Specific applications for countless numbers of users are accessed through their internet browsers. For the customer, there is no capital investment in servers and many times only the internet browser is necessary to access their applications and data.

Most of the responsibility for security management lies with the cloud provider. An addition SaaS provides a number of ways to control access such as management of user identities, application level configuration and the ability to restrict access to specific IP address ranges or geographies.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

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Approaches to Cloud Computing

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or Platform as a Service is another approach. MSPs offer various services interfacing with the information technology departments of business rather than the individual end users. Desktop management, application monitoring, anti-virus scanning and anti-spam filtering are common offerings from MSPs. This, of course, usually requires more management from the end user as opposed to SaaS.

The Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model transfers even more control and responsibility for security from the cloud provider to the client. In this model, the end user can often access the operating system that supports the visual images, networking and storage.

MSPs and IaaS Services

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Cloud Deployment Models

Public Cloud (or External Cloud)Services are provided on an as-needed, pay-as-you-go basis over the internet by using web applications and services from a remote third party provider.

Community CloudCommunity Clouds may involve several organizations with similar mission statements who seek to share infrastructure cost and management. Security and control is enhanced, because fewer users are accessing the information in this manner, as opposed to the public cloud. This is usually more expensive than a public cloud; however, the enhanced security and privacy may be attractive enough to warrant the additional cost.

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Cloud Deployment Models

Hybrid CloudHybrid Clouds often use a combination of public and private storage clouds. Archiving and backup functions allowing local data to be replicated to a public cloud is a good example of this type of deployment.

Organizations may elect to use physical hardware and virtualized cloud server instances together to provide a single common source.

Combined CloudCombined Clouds consist of multiple internal and external providers. By integrating multiple cloud services users are often able to ease their way into cloud computing.

Private Cloud (or Internal Cloud)Private Clouds strive to emulate public clouds but on a local level. These services offer products where host applications are available on virtual machines within a host’s own environment. This type of “private cloud” offers the benefit of utility computing and shared infrastructure cost. There is, however, a much larger infrastructure cost here then with the other cloud types, which minimizes the benefits of cost saving and information technology management.

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Evaluating Cloud Computing Service Providers

CostOf course, the most attractive part of moving away from an infrastructure situation to cloud computing is saving money for the organization.

PerformanceDetermine where the cloud providers are geographically located and be aware that application performance results can be impacted by this situation.

Data and SecurityAlthough the potential cloud provider may host data in a data centre facility, this does not necessarily mean that the provider has made any special arrangements to protect data. Firewall services may still be required on the business’ end and encryption of data necessary. Users should also be aware of where the data is actually being stored, which in some cases may be processed through state or local regulations.

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Evaluating Cloud Computing Service Providers

Service Level AgreementsService level agreements (SLA) are crucial in predicting a cloud computer provider’s confidence in respect to its service delivery platform. The closer to 100 percent computing availability is obviously where businesses want this to be.

SupportThis is one of the areas where cloud computing providers reportedly need to improve. At this point, cloud providers are not known for offering strong support. This is bound to change, as cloud computing continues to mature. However, for mission critical agencies, this could be a challenge. Determining the hours of support available, turnaround time guarantees, and annual service contract cost projections is vital in order to make sure that service requirements are achieved.

Putting It All TogetherA Request for Proposal is probably a good idea to gain, to put all of these evaluation points together and to clearly identify the specific needs of the business. By writing a clear and precise Request for Approval and distributing it to available cloud providers, a good understanding will be had regarding the cloud computing options.

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Identifying What Has Cloud Potential

Finding success through “cloud computing” must include identifying from the outset what cannot be accomplished effectively and efficiently by the cloud.

Once these technical issues are identified, the services that remain outside of the cloud and inside the organization’s network infrastructure will of course impact the projected technology savings.

Consideration should also include the age and condition of the various computing and networking parts in the existing infrastructure. It is this consideration that can result in deployment into “cloud computing” occurring at multiple phases, spanning several years.

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Cloud Providers Are Everywhere

Google AppsWith the Google Apps Engine users can build, run and maintain their applications on Google’s infrastructure with no servers to maintain.

Rackspace Rackspace delivers servers on-demand via a cloud-driven platform of virtualized servers.

GoGridThe Gogrid platform allows users to deploy Web and database cloud services, mount infinite-volume cloud storage, create, save and deploy custom cloud server images.

Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Enterprise Cloud provides companies with two cloud options. First businesses can build a private, in-house cloud behind the firewall.

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Cloud Providers Are Everywhere.

VMwareRecently VMware, Cisco and EMC created a virtual computing environment (VCE) coalition to offer a complete virtual data center product set that takes the best elements from each vendor’s portfolio.

Verizon Cloud ServicesVerizon recently began providing cloud services offering an enterprise-grade IT solution allowing the customer to purchase services as needed and pay-as-you go allowing scaling up or down as needed.

And of course

Microsoft Cloud ServicesPerhaps a little late to the game, however Microsoft has become a strong cloud provider during the past couple of years and with Microsoft 365 their footprint is only going to get bigger.

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Reviewing The Need

Network InfrastructureEvery organization's network infrastructure is different, with some more complex then others. These infrastructures mature and grow over time, as the organization’s needs change and new technologies become available.

This situation is of course the same for all businesses. As recently as the early 1990s, local area networks (LANs) were almost non-existent. What networking there was was contained to local workgroups in specific departments.

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Reviewing The Need - Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

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• 3 File Servers (applications, payroll, mapping, archiving, user files, etc.)• AV (anti-virus) Server• Security Profile Server (Websense)• Citrix Server (remote access)• Exchange Server (email services)• 2 Audio Recorder Servers (police – radio & telecommunications)• 2 Video Records (building security & criminal officer interviews)• I-COP Server (police vehicle recordings)• Toshiba Server (phone system & unified messaging)• Information Technology Work Orders Server (Track-It!)

That’s a total of 14 server based pieces of hardware.

Reviewing The Need – IT Staffing

Information Technology StaffingAn honest look at staffing must be evaluated in order to determine if moving any service to the cloud would be of benefit to your organization. Obviously the more services in “the cloud” the less on premises IT staffing is required.

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In the case of the this example, one individual acts in the following roles:

• Chief Information Officer• Chief Technology Officer• Help Desk Technician• Chief Communication Officer*

* Manages all elements of the Police Department’s Emergency Dispatch Services

Reviewing The Need – IT Staffing

Information Technology StaffingLooking at the example, which is in a very unique position where all elements of information technology are managed by one individual, the overall cost of providing this service is very small.

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18059057; 99%

180317.14; 1%

IT Budget

Total Cost of Information TechnologyInformation Technology cost which includes network hardware, service contracts, software and staffing has remained consistently at about 1% of the overall budget.

Although this low cost may seen unsustainable, given the current state of the world economic situation, it would be in the borough’s best interest to work towards maintaining this low cost for as long as possible. …could the answer be in the clouds?

2011 Budget

Reviewing The Need – Technology Services

Martin Huth

After looking at the business’ infrastructure and staffing situation, the next evaluation should involve “need”. What services that the business is currently providing should be considered for cloud services?

In this case, the obvious target for cloud services was email services. Why?

• The mail server is replaced every 3-4 years at an estimated cost of $15,000 to $20,000.

• The mail server is often the most taxing of all the servers in respect to maintenance.

• The mail server must of course be backed up, both onsite and remotely.

• Archiving continues to become more challenging in respect to “open records” requirements.

• Spam Filtering and Virus Control can be demanding.

Finding a Provider

Martin Huth

Once email services were targeted, research was required in order to find potential solutions, vendors and identifying advantages, disadvantages and cost.

Research was conducted through the following channels:

• Contact with the technology partner, CDW-G for recommendations and solutions.

• Finding and reviewing relevant “white papers” and “case studies”.

• Finding and reviewing currently technology articles regarding cloud services and cloud providers.

Afterwards:

• Focusing on two (2) providers which had consistent positive reviews and which went where current trends were heading.

Considering Providers

Martin Huth

Choosing a provider can be a very daunting and challenging task. No one wants to choose the wrong provider of any service. Therefore take time, prepare a plan and conduct fair and consistent interviews.

How to do this:

Prepare an “interview script”. The “interview script” should include:

• A description of the organization’s information technology infrastructure.• A description of the staffing situation.• A description of how email services are currently deployed and managed.• Detail of shared calendars, public folders.• Detail of how email is accessed on premises and remotely.• Detail of how smartphones and other mobile devices are utilized.• List a series of a questions that respond to any questions and concerns the

business have.

Considering Providers

Martin Huth

With this “interview script” in hand, the example company scheduled and conducted interviews and follow-up interviews with representatives from Microsoft and Google.

The interview and evaluation process proceeded over a two month period.

During this time, the “interview script” notes were reviewed after being completed during the interviews.

Research was made into their responses through published “case studies” and “white papers”.

Contact was maintained with the representatives, by asking questions and following up as needed to understand and validate the information provided.

Then, the final choice….

Making a Decision

Martin Huth

Every CIO must make decisions with the best interest of their organization in mind. Because the cited example has only one staff member managing and providing all technology services, the ability to reduce some overhead is critical to maintaining such a small footprint on the budget.

The Microsoft “Exchange Online” service is built with Microsoft Office (and Outlook) in mind. On the other handle Google Apps of course utilizes their existing G-Mail infrastructure.

Because of this information, the choice to be made had to be made with all the aspects in mind. In the end, Google Apps was chosen, as it was headed in the right directions and took all the considerations necessary.

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