Stretching in the Cloud (Cloud Computing Tutorial 4)
This is the fourth of an evolving multi-part tutorial series on cloud computing. To start at the beginning, click here.
Recently I wrote about some of the deeper aspects of cloud computing, such as provisioning. We learned that:
- Computers essentially consist of hardware executing software instructions.
- You can replace the hardware with software that emulates the hardware – this is called virtualization, and is the core technology behind cloud computing.
- Adding provisioning allows cloud customers to create and destroy computers to their specifications, as needed, using a self-service model.
- Some cloud providers even allow auto-provisioning (sometimes called auto-scaling) to automatically adjust the number of servers up and down as needed.
- All of these cloud technologies work together to eliminate up-front costs, and reduce computing to low hourly costs at exactly the capacity needed at any given time.
I promised to go even deeper into some of the more interesting things that these capabilities can bring, so strap-in – we’re going on a fun ride. Continue Reading
The Guts of the Cloud (Cloud Computing Tutorial 3)
This is the third of an evolving multi-part tutorial series on cloud computing. To start at the beginning, click here.
My last post explored some of the technical details of what goes on in the cloud – things like Saas vs. PaaS vs. IaaS, HTML, and virtualization. We summed up with the following:
- Cloud computing consists of Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service.
- The basic language of cloud computing is usually HTML.
- PaaS and IaaS rely on virtualization, which allows one physical computer to look like many computers.
- You now know some words sure to impress even the most jaded of your friends.
Hopefully by now you’ve thrown these terms around the local bar, winning free drinks and the admiration of potential suitors. Dream big, my friend!
A Look Behind the Curtain (Cloud Computing Tutorial 2)
This is the second of an evolving multi-part tutorial series on cloud computing. To start at the beginning, click here.
In my last post I discussed what the cloud is in some pretty simple terms. You know, how I actually explained it to my Mom. Of course, this meant that I left out of lot of detail on what happens to make the cloud actually work. Today we’ll delve a little deeper and explore some of the terms and technologies behind the curtain.
As I’ve already written, the cloud can be broken into three pretty big areas: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (SaaS). Big words, easily understandable – if you don’t know what these mean, read my last post for a simple explanation.
Software becomes even softer
Let’s start with Software-as-a-Service. The programs that run on your computer are software – things like Microsoft Word, Quicken, even your browser. You’re probably used to installing software, generally by buying it on CD or downloading from a Web site. The cloud lets software become, well, softer - it no longer has to be on your computer.
Introducing the Cloud (Cloud Computing Tutorial 1)
This is the first of an evolving multi-part tutorial series on cloud computing.
Just so you know, I’m actually writing this post from the cloud – I’m on a Delta flight to San Diego, cruising above 30,000 ft. I’m plugged into a 110V outlet, so my battery life isn’t even a factor. It’s amazing how far technology has come, and how much farther we’re still gonna go.
In the coming days, weeks, and months, I’m going to fill this blog with tons of useful content. I promise to make it informative, practical, and interactive – please make sure to engage me with comments, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. Heck, use smoke signals if you want. I’ll engage you right back. I want this to be hands-on and useful to you.
Before we even dig into why the cloud can be so beneficial, let’s start at the usual starting point – the beginning. Let’s start by talking about what the cloud is.
A few days ago, my Mom was visiting, and I was telling her about my passion for cloud technology. My Mom, being my Mom, was very interested, and very confused – “Gerry, what is this cloud you keep talking about?” So I set out to explain it to her in Mom-terms.
Welcome to Cloudticity
Welcome to Cloudticity, the premier cloud services company that helps you wrangle the cloud™. Look to Cloudticity for all your cloud consulting needs, from deciding which cloud platform to use, to building your cloud applications.
In the coming days, weeks, and months we’ll be posting compelling and relevant content that will demystify the cloud for you, help you understand how your business can leverage cloud technology, and prepare you to offer your customers unprecedented service while rocketing past your competitors.
Cloudticity is brought to your by Muse Holdings, LLC, a private venture firm that builds leading-edge technology companies. Our Chief Technology Officer, Gerry Miller, has over a decade of experience buildings some of the largest cloud systems out there, and over two decades of experience creating Internet-scale enterprise applications.
Follow us on Twitter, or Like us on Facebook, keep coming back to this blog for more and more information – but most importantly, interact with us. Ask us questions, challenge us, love us or hate us. And if you think we can call you, contact us to see how Cloudticity can help your company wrangle the cloud™.
Is it flexible?
Does it make sense to commit to a single cloud vendor? Will you be locked in to Amazon or Microsoft if you start moving to their cloud? Cloudticity helps you make the right choices for maximum flexibility and effectiveness.
Flexibility is a hallmark of cloud computing. From Software as a Service (Saas) to Platform as a Service (Paas) to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), you can take advantage of as much or as little as you need. Whether it’s moving your email off-premised to moving your whole infrastructure into the cloud, you have endless choices available – and endless choices to make.
Cloudticity helps you choose, taking advantage of the cloud’s flexibility by tailoring solutions that exactly meet your needs – now and in the future.
Is it manageable?
No matter what your company size, managing your computers is sure to eat up time and money. Is the cloud different? What kind of investments will it take? Cloudticity will clear things up for you.
Moving data, applications, even entire infrastructures into the cloud often feels like a loss of control. After all, if it’s not running in your data center, how can you manage it? In fact, the cloud offers better manageability than you can probably imagine. Monitoring, replication, and quick response to impending issues allow you to control everything in the cloud right from your desk on the ground.
Cloudticity is your partner in ensuring everything you do in the cloud is transparent to you, leaving you fully in control of everything, always.
Is it secure?
With all the hacking in today’s business environment it’s scary enough keeping your own servers up and running. But moving your apps and data to someone else’s environment? Cloudticity keeps you secure.
Whether your company deals with information about the color of your customer’s kitchen floors – or her most sensitive medical records – the cloud offers incredible levels of security. In fact, the right cloud platform often offers more security than you can in your own data center, from physical security of the servers themselves, to data replication and encryption, firewalls, penetration detection, and more.
The “public cloud” isn’t any more public than your private data center. Cloudticity knows security, having built banking applications as far back as the first online stock trading system in Internet history. As stewards of your most sensitive information, Cloudticity will help you build a system that puts Fort Knox to shame.
Build Your Application
When it comes to building applications in the cloud, the sky’s the limit. Cloudticity helps you soar with the most cost-effective configuration, the most scalable and secure architecture, and the most skillful hands-on coding.
Cloud platforms offer powerful development capabilities, from extending existing cloud applications like Salesforce.com using Force.com or APEX, to building custom applications from the ground up with servers on Amazon.com or services from Microsoft Azure.
What’s the best way to build these applications quickly, powerfully, with reliable and secure connections to your company’s data? Cloudticity knows. With decades of commercial and enterprise application development experience, including all major cloud platforms, Cloudticity takes on as much or as little as you need us to. From LAMP to .NET to mobile, we’ll build your application in the cloud the right way, always.
Choose Your Platform
Google and Azure and Rackspace…oh my! Choice is good, but choosing can be hard. How do you know if Amazon Web Services is your silver lining, or if Microsoft Azure is best? Cloudticity helps you make the right choice.
Cloud computing can mean everything from using Salesforce.com as your CRM platform to Google Apps for your email and document management to hosting all your servers on Amazon.com’s AWS. What’s right for your business? How do you best balance security with ease of use? Which vendor offers the most flexibility and power with the least amount of platform lock-in? Based on your company’s unique needs, which cloud platform is the best fit?
Cloudticity has “been there, done that.” Many times. We know the major players and the minor players. We have relationships everywhere. So Cloudticity can help you make the right choice, the first time and every time.
