Not Your Typical IT Guys

The term cloud computing is being thrown around a lot these days.  Some use it to talk about GMail and Google Docs, others are referring to SaleForce.com, and others are talking about Amazon EC2. Others are referring to virtualization which is a tool but not a function of cloud computing. Then there are others that aren’t very clear what they are talking about but preaching something about it.  So here is my attempt to defray some of the myths and bring some clarity to the term….

OK, cloud computing, what is it?  It is the very broad and loose term for working with data and applications through the internet.  Please don’t go to Wiki for the definition…it’s incomplete and only know the “as a service” types.  Here are some examples of cloud computing (not all inclusive):

Saas (Software as a Service) - which is like Salesforce.com, LeapFile or Google Docs
Applications Hosting – Hosted Exchange, Sharepoint, Blackberry, etc
Web 2.0 Collaboration – Google Groups, Client Portals
Elastic Computing – Amazon EC2 (rent servers in the cloud by the hour)
Enterprise Hosting – What we do, hosting your corporate environment in the cloud and delivering it to you via a virtual desktop

OK, now that we have had a little education on to the Myths:

Myth #1 – Cloud Computing is a new type of Client/Mainframe computing

I guess in some sense of the word you could say Client/Mainframe computing was an early version of cloud computing, something like you could say a car was an early version of the airplane. Yes they both accomplish similar goals and do use engines and wheels but technically speaking the two are very different.

Myth #2 – All applications are accessed via a browser, Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Safari, etc

If you are referring to Saas and Web 2.0 type stuff this is true, the internet and a browser is what you need.  However, Application Hosting and Enterprise Hosting often times only require the browser as your gateway to the application.  Once logged in the application runs on your local computer as if it was installed there.

Myth #3 – You are restricted in your choices of software

Cloud computing offers an enormous variety of choices.  Cloud computing has enabled innovation in so many aspects that the possibilities are endless.  And even though a large majority of your application choices haven’t been webified that is OK.  Enterprise Hosting allows you to choose the applications of your choice to have hosted and made available to you from where ever you have an internet connection.

Myth #4 – You are limited to the type of computer you have to use.

Not at all!  Cloud computing is awesome because it is completely OS agnostic.  Salesforce.com, Leapfile, Hosted Solutions, Google, and so on and so forth do not care what type of computer you are using.  Hence why Google is getting ready to play in the OS market.

Myth #5 – You don’t own your data

This depends on which cloud service you are talking about.  True in some circumstances, is you are using some Saas services the moment you stop paying is the moment you loose access to “your” information.  However, not always true.  Our clients own their data and applications.  If their contract is not renewed they receive all of their data and applications back.

Myth #6 – The Cloud provider is perusing your data

If this is a concern I recommend you reconsider your cloud provider.  Security and confidentiality is a must with respect to cloud computing.  In fact, some cloud providers have already been dubbed “HIPPA Compliant.”  Your information in the cloud is safer than the data sitting on the server or PC in your office that could grow feat and disappear all too easily.

Myth #7 – It’s not secure

if you do banking online or order anything online you may have heard the term 128 bit SSL encryption.  Its the same security we use to make sure your work is secure and safe.

Bottom line, cloud computing is a concept, much like travel is a concept.  The discussion and debates need to be more specific, ie planes, trains and automobiles.  The next time you are reading and article about cloud computing, ask yourself what are they talking about, Saas? App Hosting? Enterprise Hosting?

Once again I feel compelled to speak up/out regarding yet another post of someone who doesn’t want to be left out of the “Cloud Computing” buzz.  Mr. David McClure recently wrote a brief blog post indicating that cloud computing is the “resurrection of that old, nasty mode of computing called client/mainframe.”  I believe he is suggesting that cloud computing is not a good solution…although its not very clear what the point of his post was.

Anyway, client/mainframe computing in essence, to the untrained eye, may seem something like cloud computing. When in fact the 2 significantly different technologies.  In the client/mainframe days (not that I was around to witness it but from what I have read) basically terminals connected to a mainframe to gain access to the mainframe interface, all from a private network. Basically like client/server computing that many businesses and organizations are using today.  However, the terminals from the client/mainframe days basically allowed users access to a specific program that ran on the mainframe with a fixed interface that allowed a single application to be viewed from dedicated terminals.

Today, cloud computing enables users on computers of any shape and form to gain access to a network of servers scattered across the world.  In most instances those servers are virtual machines that are part of a large mesh of hardware infrastructure and data centers. When users gain access to the cloud (the internet) they can work with many different software’s as if they are running on their local computers, when in fact the software is running on a server somewhere out there in the public internet.

From a single workstation, a PC, MAC, thin client, etc, users can gain access to their choice of applications without regard for location, operating system, or workload. At any point in time a user could be working on servers in Kansas, Virginia, California and Australia for that matter.  However from the end users perspective it is nothing more than a connection to the cloud.

Cloud computing is the result of the convergence of many amazing technologies working together to create a computing infrastructure that is unparalleled to any predecessor technology.  Things such as the proliferation of broadband,  faster better cheaper computers/servers, virtualization, and encryption are a few of those technologies that make it all happen.

As Mr. McClure put it, “putting lipstick on a pig” is a poor metaphor for cloud computing, I would suggest its more like combining, flour, sugar, eggs and oil and baking a tasty tasty cake.

Anyone else using the BlackBerry Bold with AT&T?!?

First, before I rant…I love the phone, its clean, great screen, decent battery, and 3G.

Moving on…I get “Call Failed” close to a dozen times per day.  We have reported to AT&T and the reaction is, “Hmmm, that’s odd.”  Well I can tell you this much, I did a Google search using the keywords “Call Failed” Blackberry Bold…20,300 hits all complaining about this same issue.  Not so unique.

Daniel has now had 3 BB Bolds to try to address the issue and no luck.  We get failed calls in Baltimore, Bel Air, Pennsylvania, driving on 95, and even in Las Vegas.  So there is no blaming the towers in any one location.  This is a device issue with the AT&T network.

Please anyone else out there having issues…have you found a resolution?  I’m dying here!

OK…off to the AT&T store to get a new SIM card……………………….