There are plenty of solid definitions out there. To call it 'marketing BS' demonstrates a remarkable level of ignorance.
Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
· 1 year ago
To the non-tech savvy, Cloud Computing can be a term that is nebulous, and I agree with Mike that it has been mis-applied a number of ways by folks who should know better (though ironically Mike misapplies it several times in his piece and *he* should know better).
But for the tech savvy, the question isn't about what cloud computing actually is, the question is "how can it be accomplished for my business?"
There still exists a high technical barrier to entry, even for tech savvy companies and individuals, to use modern incarnations of cloud computing in a way that makes sense and saves them money/resources.
kinda
· 1 year ago
hi can any person help me Iresearch about cloud computing what is that , and who use it, whats the benefit \plz who can i will make areport
Ezra Butler
· 1 year ago
So, in other words, people don't believe in heaven (err.. cloud computing) because of human error.
The upside of the investors and PR people NOT understanding the concept, is that the programmers and designers can continue to utilize cloud computing whether its "chic" or not/
Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
· 1 year ago
This is true. The unfortunate side effect of this incorrect analysis (in not just this specific example on cloud computing, but anytime this cycle exhibits itself) is that it can affect how investment dollars are placed and valued.
That effect trickles down to the programmers and designers in the form of weaker resources for them to utilize in terms of infrastructure.
robdiana
· 1 year ago
Mark, thanks for writing something I was planning on writing soon :) I did not understand why people lumped GMail, Netflix and GoToMeeting together when they all had failures. GMail I can almost understand because it is a Google product, so people can make the assumption it is running on Google's "cloud infrastructure".
From what I have seen, the term "cloud" has been associated with the internet for a long time and I have been in the industry for 14 years. Cloud computing is just a logical extension of grid computing. Servers will fail and services will fail. If people do not understand that, then they have not used computers or the internet for that long.
Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
· 1 year ago
Yeah, I think that there should also be a very clear line drawn by folks who feel the need to use the term between applications that run on cloud computing architecture, and cloud computing architecture.
We don't tend to call firefox or internet explorer sequentially processed computing simply because it runs on a computer with sequential processing.
LetterRep.com
· 1 year ago
"Here’s the thing, though: Mike Elgan isn’t completely wrong. Some of those types of computing technically fall into the definition of cloud computing, and someone who actually understands the origin of the word can see why that is and why the rest is a whole host of different of technology types."
I think you owe it to Mike Elgan to have written this as, "Here's the thing, though: Mike Elgan is correct with one small exception...."
No, I think my original wording is much more accurate. I don't agree with his assessment that autonomic computing, utility computing or remote processing are in any way related or can be construed as cloud computing, and that's almost half his list. There are a couple others he mentions that really push the barrier as well.
awilensky
· 1 year ago
Wow, Rizz, that's a lot of words for:
Cloud: General services outside of firewall
Grid: Buncha computers where the deployment of code /apps is not tied to specific machine. Can be front / back of firewall.
SAAS - an application in the cloud that you pay by subscription
PAAS - a development environment that you pay for by subscription - in the cloud.
Hosted services - Your applications are tied to a set of machines that you rent. Typical Web hosting.
Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
· 1 year ago
Occasionally you need be very verbose and clear to convince some people.
Your definition of cloud is a bit non-specific enough to lead some folks astray, though, since the definition could theoretically be used to describe Cyndy's example of client/server architecture.
Jim McCusker
· 1 year ago
Mark, This comment regarding EC2 isn't correct:
"If your server is suddenly Slashdotted, then you’ll be allotted more resources for the duration of the traffic spike."
This is a common mistake that implies that Amazon's EC2 has some kind of automatic horizontal scaling service. Amazon doesn't provide these services, just server instances which you have to monitor. There's a breed of new support services building up to enable EC2 users to roll their own load-balances and dynamic-DNS management.
The idea of scaling horizontally during peak loads sounds great, but most EC2 users manage that manually. There are 3rd party solutions that attempt to handing this but yet again, you have to roll it into your custom solution.
Doug Klein
· 1 year ago
You are right to go back to the roots of the cloud metaphor as it applies to networking diagrams (although it tends to always make me think of the old cartoon with the two guys looking at the blackboard of equations leading to the "and then a miracle occurs" notation :). All the various technologies, (grid, virtual systems, web services) are being utilized "in the cloud" so it's neither right or wrong to throw this into the mix also. What's missing in this discussion, however, is recognition that the routing world has had 30+ years of network management refinement.
In the networking cloud bad things happen all the time. Routers die, packets get dropped, loops occur. What has evolved over the decades, however, is a sophisticated and mature set of recovery tools; applications, protocols, processes all designed to detect, work around, patch and recover from failures. For cloud computing to realize its full potential we have to go through the same learning curve. It's not impossible but it is certainly an order of magnitude more complicated give the much more varied nature of the situation.
For an example of the difference consider the distinct difference in the networking world between access control lists (ACLs) and deep packet inspection (DPI). The former is a component of the lowest commodity switch; the latter is still a controversial element of the most expensive security equipment out there. Building systems to manage well defined and understood packet headers is just so much easier than attempting to understand the nuances of a full application session. Getting cloud computing right is all about putting enough intelligence in the system to offer both the scalability, capabilities and capacity we're all promised while at the same time offering the robustness and service level guarantees to make it truly a utility service.
Sean Tario
· 1 year ago
I would highly recommend anyone truly interested in hearing the conversation at large about Cloud Computing to check out the following Goolge Group - http://groups.google.ca/group/cloud-computing?h...
Nearly every high level and detailed technical question is asked and answered by those in the Cloud evolving it and using it.
Allyson
· 1 year ago
Hi Mark - so great to see this article! We had a similar conversation with our client Matt McAdams, CTO over at TrackVia recently. It went something like this:
Me, PR Rep: There's a lot of coverage around cloud lately. Do you guys consider yourself a cloud offering?
I have to agree with Ian Hendry. But none the less a nice article. ;-)
Willy WarLock
· 1 year ago
Great thought piece.
If finding a uniform "technical" definition for cloud computing seems not to be achievable then may we consider a "business" definition. Most decision makers will be looking for a cost effective and reliable method of delivering their wares or performing some task like online backup.
I imagine a substantial percentage of the current IT dollars flowing through the economy are held captive by amortized loan payments for capital expenditures (CAPEX) and within annual agreements as operating expenditures (OPEX). Potential mistakes with these dollars is the REAL risk that providers and customers face.
So a business definition of cloud computing would be no upfront risk and no locked in payments with pay as you go expansion and a service level as good as or better than what I can manage for myself.
Oh, and no rack mounting of any kind :-)
JJ
· 1 year ago
Kudos on trying to clear the confusion around an over-hyped buzzword!
I especially liked that your link to the definition of the word goes to Wikipedia.com. :) Defining a term for computing that takes place via hosted services on a hosted, user contributed knowledge center - brilliant!
When my firm launched the web's first Database-as-a-Service offering in 1999, most could not conceptualize moving the database function to the cloud. This was when desktop databases were king, like Microsoft Access, and web databases were just growing up. Fast forward nearly 10 years, and more enterprises understand the benefits of SaaS services to the point where many have cloud initiatives in their IT infrastructure. It is heartening to us that the industry we pioneered is flourishing after a long period of acceptance.
friarminor
· 1 year ago
Bit late but would like to point out that folks are missing a keyword here about cloud computing as oppposed to data center services.
Virtual.
And cloud computing doesn't require any special connection and heavily rides the internet from the launch of an apps to maintenance.
And regarding 'Rizzn's comment, "that there still exists a high technical barrier to entry, even for tech savvy companies and individuals". Fear not because there is Platforms as a Service (PaaS).
Think of the cloud as tasteless bread and PaaS as jam to make it palatable and easier to swallow for non-ultra techies.
i want another information about what is cloud computing? who use the technology ?exsample of firm and what benfit plz help me i will make areport 4this
All Comments
But for the tech savvy, the question isn't about what cloud computing actually is, the question is "how can it be accomplished for my business?"
There still exists a high technical barrier to entry, even for tech savvy companies and individuals, to use modern incarnations of cloud computing in a way that makes sense and saves them money/resources.
what is that , and who use it, whats the benefit \plz who can
i will make areport
The upside of the investors and PR people NOT understanding the concept, is that the programmers and designers can continue to utilize cloud computing whether its "chic" or not/
That effect trickles down to the programmers and designers in the form of weaker resources for them to utilize in terms of infrastructure.
From what I have seen, the term "cloud" has been associated with the internet for a long time and I have been in the industry for 14 years. Cloud computing is just a logical extension of grid computing. Servers will fail and services will fail. If people do not understand that, then they have not used computers or the internet for that long.
We don't tend to call firefox or internet explorer sequentially processed computing simply because it runs on a computer with sequential processing.
I think you owe it to Mike Elgan to have written this as, "Here's the thing, though: Mike Elgan is correct with one small exception...."
http://www.LetterRep.com
Cloud: General services outside of firewall
Grid: Buncha computers where the deployment of code /apps is not tied to specific machine. Can be front / back of firewall.
SAAS - an application in the cloud that you pay by subscription
PAAS - a development environment that you pay for by subscription - in the cloud.
Hosted services - Your applications are tied to a set of machines that you rent. Typical Web hosting.
Your definition of cloud is a bit non-specific enough to lead some folks astray, though, since the definition could theoretically be used to describe Cyndy's example of client/server architecture.
This comment regarding EC2 isn't correct:
"If your server is suddenly Slashdotted, then you’ll be allotted more resources for the duration of the traffic spike."
This is a common mistake that implies that Amazon's EC2 has some kind of automatic horizontal scaling service. Amazon doesn't provide these services, just server instances which you have to monitor. There's a breed of new support services building up to enable EC2 users to roll their own load-balances and dynamic-DNS management.
The idea of scaling horizontally during peak loads sounds great, but most EC2 users manage that manually. There are 3rd party solutions that attempt to handing this but yet again, you have to roll it into your custom solution.
In the networking cloud bad things happen all the time. Routers die, packets get dropped, loops occur. What has evolved over the decades, however, is a sophisticated and mature set of recovery tools; applications, protocols, processes all designed to detect, work around, patch and recover from failures. For cloud computing to realize its full potential we have to go through the same learning curve. It's not impossible but it is certainly an order of magnitude more complicated give the much more varied nature of the situation.
For an example of the difference consider the distinct difference in the networking world between access control lists (ACLs) and deep packet inspection (DPI). The former is a component of the lowest commodity switch; the latter is still a controversial element of the most expensive security equipment out there. Building systems to manage well defined and understood packet headers is just so much easier than attempting to understand the nuances of a full application session. Getting cloud computing right is all about putting enough intelligence in the system to offer both the scalability, capabilities and capacity we're all promised while at the same time offering the robustness and service level guarantees to make it truly a utility service.
Nearly every high level and detailed technical question is asked and answered by those in the Cloud evolving it and using it.
Me, PR Rep: There's a lot of coverage around cloud lately. Do you guys consider yourself a cloud offering?
Matt: Oh geez, here we go again ..
Then, he blogged about it ... It's funny. http://www.trackvia.com/blog/?p=45
If finding a uniform "technical" definition for cloud computing seems not to be achievable then may we consider a "business" definition. Most decision makers will be looking for a cost effective and reliable method of delivering their wares or performing some task like online backup.
I imagine a substantial percentage of the current IT dollars flowing through the economy are held captive by amortized loan payments for capital expenditures (CAPEX) and within annual agreements as operating expenditures (OPEX). Potential mistakes with these dollars is the REAL risk that providers and customers face.
So a business definition of cloud computing would be no upfront risk and no locked in payments with pay as you go expansion and a service level as good as or better than what I can manage for myself.
Oh, and no rack mounting of any kind :-)
I especially liked that your link to the definition of the word goes to Wikipedia.com. :) Defining a term for computing that takes place via hosted services on a hosted, user contributed knowledge center - brilliant!
CEO of HostedDatabase.com
When my firm launched the web's first Database-as-a-Service offering in 1999, most could not conceptualize moving the database function to the cloud. This was when desktop databases were king, like Microsoft Access, and web databases were just growing up. Fast forward nearly 10 years, and more enterprises understand the benefits of SaaS services to the point where many have cloud initiatives in their IT infrastructure. It is heartening to us that the industry we pioneered is flourishing after a long period of acceptance.
Virtual.
And cloud computing doesn't require any special connection and heavily rides the internet from the launch of an apps to maintenance.
And regarding 'Rizzn's comment, "that there still exists a high technical barrier to entry, even for tech savvy companies and individuals". Fear not because there is Platforms as a Service (PaaS).
Think of the cloud as tasteless bread and PaaS as jam to make it palatable and easier to swallow for non-ultra techies.
Best.
alain
www.mor.ph
and what benfit
plz help me i will make areport 4this
am waiting who can
thnx 4 all so much