What is IaaS capable of?

An inside look at what makes IaaS so popular among the cloud computing community

Right now, when we think of cloud computing for business, IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) is the first thing that springs to mind. This is due to the fact that IaaS is among the most popular and attractive choices for organizations that might be looking to put cloud computing technology to work for them. Logically, the next question is – why; what makes IaaS such a striking choice?

Of the many benefits purported by IaaS, maintaining acceptable costs is one of the most prominent. Simply put, most businesses have a clearly defined investment / venture limit (which is the total amount they can invest in any one area) that often dictates how they will spend. If we’re talking about IaaS, up-front costs are often eliminated altogether, as are expenditures associated with maintenance of hardware systems.

Then of course you have the fact that IaaS is often deployed as a metered service, meaning, you pay for what you actually use. When you combine all of the aforementioned factors it becomes clearly apparent that IaaS helps organizations to lower their Total Cost of Ownership.

For an IT department, IaaS also offers the opportunity to function in a traditional capacity (albeit while utilizing remotely positioned assets). In other forms of cloud computing, IT services might be “tacked-on” to their service package, which of course would eliminate the need for on-site IT altogether.

However, this option isn’t always acceptable, especially when you’re talking about companies with sensitive data or perhaps those who require more intensive IT support/solutions or customized infrastructure/design. What IaaS allows businesses to do is retain control over the finer aspects of their IT operation while at the same time outsourcing the upkeep of hardware to their vendor(s). Naturally, this will of course require a company to have personnel on hand who are trained and certified in cloud computing and IaaS.  

Additionally, IaaS works just like other forms of cloud computing infrastructure, being that it is extremely “scalable”. In other words, specific applications are fed additional resources when their demand reaches certain levels. This allows a business to more efficiently manage IT in times of great volume and stress as well as in situations where capacity is below normal. Also, it is this scalability that contributes to the ongoing value of IaaS when it comes to maintaining budgetary standards.

Then there are some businesses are (or could become) very reliant on IT services, yet they might not have the finances or abilities to maintain an expensive hardware infrastructure; IaaS takes care of that. Through IaaS, organizations can devote finances that might have gone into establishing on-site IT assets toward actually developing new solutions or products.

But it’s not just the company itself that benefits from this concept, IT workers won’t be saddled down with unnecessary and laborious tasks due to the maintenance and upkeep of expensive hardware systems either. In the end, this all translates into a sleeker IT operation that can focus on specific projects and goals which are more closely aligned with those of the business they are servicing.

In an IaaS scenario, individual components (servers, specific hardware, software, applications, OS’s, storage solutions, etc…) can often be quickly added or subtracted without the need for complex oversight. Given that IaaS is a classic form of cloud computing operating under a pay-as-you-go paradigm, increasing one’s capabilities or available services is much, much easier that it might be in other types of situations.

Likewise, through IaaS, IT infrastructure can be designed to specifically address what businesses are looking for. Meaning; organizations can create a type of system that doesn’t exist anywhere else and is perfect for their specific needs. This ability to quickly arrange bespoke infrastructure also gives businesses a competitive edge that they’re not likely to capture in any other manner (short of extensive investing, of course).

So, what is it that makes IaaS such a desirable asset? Arguably it’s the insane number of options that are available under IaaS that make it so desirable. As the world continues tumbling forward into a future dominated by computing and networking technology, services like IaaS keep businesses on the cutting edge of integrating each new development. Moreover, cloud computing and IaaS allows for more sensible and cost-effective approaches to IT and use of advanced applications in general.

The “Wozniak Warning” about Cloud Computing: Is it being blown completely out of proportion?

By now you’ve probably caught wind of Steve Wozniak’s big “warning” concerning the soundness of cloud computing in the coming years. Apparently, “the Woz” feels that one of the potential pitfalls of a cloud-dominated future is one of an increasing trend toward non-ownership of digital products and information. Perhaps it’s better to let the man speak for himself:

“I want to feel that I own things,” Wozniak said at the event. “A lot of people feel, ‘Oh, everything is really on my computer,’ but I say the more we transfer everything onto the web, onto the cloud, the less we’re going to have control over it.”

Regardless of one’s position in the matter, he does have a point. It’s true that cloud providers and tech companies (including regular businesses) are pushing for metered or leased products and services. After all, if you own something and rent it out to someone else, you can continue reaping the benefits of it long into the future. Certainly this is the sort of model that cloud computing advocates hope to put into place, no one is disputing that. Likewise, people should be much more wary about corporations that want to drive them toward accepting increasingly pervasive non-ownership arrangements and agreements.

However, it is very suspect for someone who is connected to an organization such as Apple to poke fingers at the cloud computing industry when they are in fact, already doing what he is attempting to “warn us” about. For example, iCloud, Apple’s new cloud interface system (that’s being built into every new device they produce), is out in full force. Though it’s a bit “conspiracy theory-like” to make this sort of statement, it would seem as though Apple is attempting to create damaging waves in the cloud computing blogosphere while simultaneously pushing and strategically positioning their own cloud service. From an outward perspective it’s a little bit like “good cop, bad cop”; Wozniak creates the controversy and instills a sense of dread, then Apple swoops in to “save the day” with a functional cloud service. Maybe Wozniak will make some public statement at a later date confirming the superiority of Apple’s cloud? This is of course informed speculation, so “take it with a grain of salt”.   

But going beyond business and taking a look at the potential list of “horrible problems” which cloud computing might face, we are left with the recurring them of security. First off, no one is claiming that cloud computing is an absolutely secure type of infrastructure, it’s still growing and developing though. If one were to take a quick look around at the state of things “right now” you will quickly learn that “all is not as it seems and that there is trouble in paradise”. That’s right; security is a huge issue these days under traditional IT infrastructure! It’s absolutely ridiculous to hold cloud computing to a much higher standard than that of the current system that’s in place. Aside from security qualms, the cloud offers a great number of definitive benefits over traditional IT and computing which cannot be overlooked. Benefits such as energy conservation, profit retention, risk avoidance, elastic processing power distribution, the ability to quickly design and deploy complex and customized architectures, etc…the list goes on and on.  

Certainly some organizations will be apt to push consumers toward leasing products or services and denying them ownership of anything tangible, this much is obvious. But isn’t it true that we all have overhead internet service costs to attend to? The difference between your run-of-the-mill metered service and cloud computing is that cloud computing (if it’s actually being utilized properly) can add significant value and capability to business’ or individual’s budget. In other words, cloud computing can really help you “get things done” (usually at a higher level of quality and in a shorter amount of time too).  In this way, paying for cloud services in a metered fashion makes economical sense.

Also, given the fact that software and hardware updates/upgrades are rolling in so fast that many companies can’t (financially) keep up with the breakneck pace, what value does ownership present? Is it really a good thing for businesses to purchase overpriced software every single quarter only to have to chuck it in the trash as they upgrade? It used to be that upgrades were only rolling in annually, now we’re seeing them come in on a near quarterly basis! Cloud computing presents the absolute best alternative way of dealing with this conundrum; providers and vendors do the upgrading and the users reap the benefits through actually using the software.

The many tangible benefits of cloud computing add up to one distinct truth, it is an improvement over current technological methodologies and will eventually replace the system we currently have in place. Will there be growing pains during this period of cloud transition and adoption? Of course; whenever one institution usurps another there are consequences, but what we have to ask ourselves is, do we want growth and expansion (cloud) or should we be happy to remain shackled to a stagnating system (grid/traditional)?

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Is Asia behind in the Cloud Computing game right now?

Why more focus on IaaS might be really good for the Far East

According to the Cloud Readiness Index (a pool of data which measures the state of cloud computing in all of Asia’s developed countries based on 10 different attributes), virtually all Asian countries are falling behind when it comes to cloud computing. This is not to say that countries like Japan, South Korea or Taiwan don’t have the ability to take advantage or the cloud, only that they’re certainly not emphasizing it enough it would seem.

The overwhelming reason that these Asian nations are avoiding addressing the “cloud conundrum” is due to their commitment to other issues. In fact, it would appear that many leaders in these countries are placing cloud-based infrastructure development (and ICT in general) very low on their horizons right now. This doesn’t mean that some of the key countries in Asia aren’t developing their cloud technologies and infrastructure though; Japan and South Korea in particular are very well aware of the significance and have been steadily investing in it.

The problem is really more widespread in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Simply put, it appears that these nations simply don’t see the long-term value in updating and exploring advancing forms of Information and Communications Technology. Right now, there’s not really a well defined cloud computing market in Asia at all, and this will certainly have an impact on the way they do business in the future – which in turn, could have a negative effect on global markets.

One of the biggest hindrances to cloud computing in Asia is a lack of broadband services for most regions; however, this is expected to be remedied by 2013 as more and more of these countries address this issue. Likewise, it would appear that cloud computing simply isn’t as well known in Asia as many would like to think, so educating the public and tech communities is also an important factor that must be addressed soon. Additionally, many Asian countries have strict policies when it comes to information sharing, specifically, some nations won’t allow for its citizens to personal information / data in other locations (outside its borders). Given that cloud computing derives its power from remotely positioned assets; these issues of personal/national sovereignty in certain Asian countries will have to be more closely inspected if they are ever going to begin utilizing this new technology.

While North America and Europe are definitely ahead of the game when it comes to the cloud, it should be noted that the general pace and volume of development has been steadily increasing. In fact, cloud computing has experienced some dramatic growth in recent times; which will make it that much more difficult for Asian nations seeking to “catch up”. Simply put, there is a giant gap in terms of North America and Europe’s ability to implement cloud computing vs. that of Asia’s, with the Western countries pulling even further ahead with each passing day. While this might seem like great news for those of us in the West, it might actually have a negative effect in many areas of business due to the nature of global trade in which technology is becoming increasingly intermingled.

IaaS appears to be one of the most powerful tools when it comes to control, options and business. Since it is generally either governments or businesses that are exploring and developing cloud computing in these Asian countries, it only makes sense for IaaS to be pushed. Through IaaS, these Asian businesses could effectively “lead the way” by means of developing solid cloud computing platforms for commercial use. In fact, focusing on IaaS could very well allow many of these higher-level organizations to begin establishing certain types of platforms which smaller businesses and individuals could in turn begin utilizing. All that’s really required is the investment in infrastructure (including storage), the initiative / drive for change, and cloud / IaaS certified IT personnel who can make it happen.

The reality in Asia however, is that it is governments that are truly pushing for cloud adoption, not businesses. Depending on how you look at it this is either a bad or good thing. On one hand, governments have the ability to actually enact the changes required when it comes to certain areas like data sharing / sovereignty across borders, which is something that absolutely must be addressed if positive change is to occur. However, on the other hand, these same governments may or may not decide to open up cloud development for businesses, which may severely restrict their ability to progress on pace with Western nations.

It could also be argued that businesses are among the best groups in existence for fostering and adhering to international standards with regards to cloud computing. Nevertheless, forward-thinking governmental bodies really have all the power when it comes to educating the public about new technological concepts like cloud computing.

Is IaaS the new face of IT?

As many organizations move to implement Cloud Computing-based IT models, IaaS remains in high demand

IaaS has been called the most accessible form of cloud computing, with some individuals even asserting that it actually forms the underpinning of the entire cloud revolution. Regardless of whether or not you are of the mindset that IaaS is completely vital or merely useful, one thing cannot be denied and that is its current popularity. Businesses love IaaS because it offers them the best of both worlds; they get to utilize the technological advancements inherent in cloud computing while at the same time, retaining control over the details and intricacies of their IT operation(s).  Cloud Computing based IT models
By all outward accounts, it would seem that companies are latching onto the idea that cloud computing is the place to be. Arguably, the big push to adapt and assimilate cloud technologies is directly related to the many known benefits it seeks to assert.

Benefits like:

• Increased efficiency in energy usage
• More rational cost-to-profit ratios
• Augmented technical capabilities
• Elimination of overhead hardware expenses

The list goes on and on… Certainly anyone that’s actually studied the positive elements of cloud computing understands that it should be considered an upgrade when compared with the current system that’s in use.

However, what many people might now be aware of are the options available to businesses for instituting cloud computing and how these choices might affect their IT operations. In reality, SaaS-style models can offer useful individual services, but shouldn’t be labeled as comprehensive solutions.

Currently, most businesses which actually rely on simple or complex IT systems (a few stray computers to complex, dedicated hardware setups) are probably already employing some form of SaaS. This often comes in the form of browser-enabled free or subscription based sites which do one or a few things like email, storage, conversion, translation, payment processing, you name it. But the use of SaaS is only really a supplement to existing infrastructure of course, and is certainly can’t be considered a substitute for a dedicated IT setup.

Then you have PaaS, which is capable of delivering complete IT solutions, albeit in a somewhat limited manner. In all actuality, PaaS is a lot like IaaS, in that it can offer reputable IT solutions, however, it is lacking in its ability to offer true user-managed options. In other words, PaaS is sort of like a more vendor-managed form of IaaS, where the provider presents a buffet of options which the client then chooses from to build their service package. If an organization is looking to build truly customized solutions for their situation, or perhaps even take control over the security of their data, PaaS is not an ideal choice.

On the other hand, PaaS can provide certain businesses that have limited experience in the cloud with an excellent opportunity to “get their feet” wet in a safer more controlled fashion. In this manner, PaaS could serve as a sort of “introduction service” for organizations that are transitioning to cloud computing and/or might be training their own IT personnel to use newer forms of infrastructure.

This of course highlights yet another increasingly important topic concerning the preparedness of businesses and their IT personnel, which is cloud training, comprehension and certification. Modern companies need to face the growing reality of increasing cloud computing adoption and the effect that this will soon be having on competition in the markets, ensuring that one’s IT assets are ready and standing by to capitalize on this is absolutely key. Additionally, there are specific programs dealing with training and certification in IaaS as well.  

This brings us back to IaaS, which really the only complete IT solution (in existence) for groups that know how to properly implement it. Through IaaS organizations can essentially replace their existing grid-based / traditional IT systems and suffer virtually no loss of control. Likewise, IaaS allows for an entirely new level of fine-tuning and flexible real-time adjustments on nearly every level imaginable (that’s just not possible with other types of models). Businesses are drawn to IaaS because it’s (in all reality) the living embodiment of everything that cloud-based IT can and should be able to do.

IaaS appears to be outperforming other types of cloud services

While you’d think that fully developed, “set it and forget it” –types of cloud services would be wildly more popular than those which require more user management, the exact opposite seems to be the case. It has been revealed in recent months that IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) is on track to becoming the most well-received form of cloud computing service on the market. This is not to say that users aren’t lining up to receive fully managed cloud packages (which they most certainly are), only that most of the larger, “heavy-hitter” businesses are opting instead for IaaS. cloud computing iaas infrastructure as a service

Why are these bigger organizations drawn to IaaS, you ask? Well, for starters, IaaS offers a great deal more control over every single aspect of one’s IT infrastructure compared with what is offered through PaaS or SaaS. But it’s not just increased control over management and the design of the infrastructure itself that IaaS presents, it’s also the ability to scale capabilities up-and-down much more quickly (and with less 3rd party oversight) than other forms of cloud computing. Sure, PaaS can behave in a very similar fashion (when compared to IaaS), but it is not nearly as intensive (or flexible).

For example, IaaS requires an organization to:

• Set up a Database
• Set up servers for applications, etc…
• Conduct database provisioning, including creating tables
• Arrange and install all your applications
• Establish and program all load balancing assets
• Engage in the ongoing management of Virtual Machines (VM)

By contrast, PaaS (though similar) only requires you to:

• Set up a Database
• Arrange and install all your applications

You’re probably wondering, “Why in the world would anyone want to go to all that trouble”, right? The fact is, for certain types of businesses which are heavily reliant on IT services, off-the-shelf architecture, configurations or deployments often aren’t sufficient enough. This is to say that IaaS affords certain types of organizations with the opportunity to construct customized solutions which not only better compliment their operation(s), but also allows them to develop their own solutions for problems. Likewise, IaaS gives these same businesses the ability to ensure the security of their own data and handle real-time monitoring of their own system. What makes IaaS such a value is the fact that all of the aforementioned benefits can be achieved while still keeping costs low; and because it is cloud computing we’re talking about here, no additional hardware purchases are necessary.

This does however bring up an interesting point concerning whether or not your IT department is prepared to handle the challenges associated with IaaS. If, for instance, you don’t have personnel with certifications in both Cloud Computing and IaaS, now is the time to begin investigating your options regarding education in these areas. Certification and training in both of these fields is actually quite inexpensive and offers excellent long-term benefits both to the company as well as the employees themselves (it’s basically career training for the future of IT).

According to Gartner:

“Worldwide IT Outsourcing Services Spending on Pace to Surpass $251 Billion in 2012”

This indicates that cloud computing is on track toward achieving previously undreamed of adoption levels in the coming years, perhaps even eclipsing the 50% and above mark in the very near future.

Gartner goes on to state:

“The fastest-growing segment within the ITO market is cloud compute services, which is part of the cloud-based infrastructure as a service (IaaS) segment. Cloud compute services are expected to grow 48.7 percent in 2012 to $5.0 billion, up from $3.4 billion in 2011.”

In other words, through clear information gathering and reporting, it is obvious that IaaS is “where the action is”, and that growth in this area is significantly augmenting the expansion of the cloud computing market in general.
One of the things that adds extra value to IaaS is the manner in which IT personnel are utilized; specifically, that an organization using IaaS must provide their own workers. Simply put, when you sign up for a fully managed cloud service there is no guarantee that the individuals tasked with maintaining your infrastructure and data are going to perform their duties up to your standards. Additionally, since they are remotely positioned, it’s impossible if any code of ethics is being adhered to. Through IaaS, your organization can actually dodge serious risks that might occur due to malicious internal attacks or carelessness.