Cloud Computing Sample Architecture

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

The research provides an insight into the cloud computing effectiveness in the enterprises.

As cloud computing is in a very nascent stage now many companies are reluctant in going on cloud. This research will provide an insight as to what exactly is cloud computing to the enterprises, what are the factors that affects the adoption of cloud computing and what steps the cloud providers are taking to reduce the concerns of the enterprises in going for cloud computing.

Mainly two factors will be discussed in terms of cloud computing effectiveness they are cost factor and security factor.

Chapter 1

Introduction

Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically the Internet).

Using software as a service (SAAS) in business model, users are provided access to application software and databases. The cloud providers manage the infrastructure and platforms on which the applications run. SaaS is sometimes also referred to as "on-demand software" and is usually priced on a pay-per-use basis. Generally subscription fee is used for pricing applications by Saas providers.

SaaS allows a business the potential to reduce IT operational costs by outsourcing hardware and software maintenance and support to the cloud provider. This will enable a business to reallocate IT operations to focus on other IT goals. In addition, the application is hosted centrally, so updates can be released without users having to reinstall new software. The drawback of SaaS is that the user stores their data on the cloud provider’s server. As a result, there could be unauthorized access to the data.

End users access cloud-based applications through a web browser or a light-weight desktop or mobile app while the business software and user's data are stored on servers at a remote location. Cloud computing allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with improved manageability and less maintenance, and enables IT to more rapidly adjust resources to meet fluctuating and unpredictable business demand.

Cloud computing relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale similar to a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network. At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader concept of converged infrastructure and shared services.

Characteristics

Cloud computing exhibits the following key characteristics:

Agility as the resources can be accessed on demand and quickly imparting agility to system.

Application programming interface (API) Smooth interaction between humans and machines.

Cost is one of the biggest advantages of cloud, several cost models exists like pay-as-you-go, subscription, etc.

Mobility which is the ability of users to access information from anywhere, anytime.

Virtualization technology allows for better utilization of already available hardware.

Multitenancy which means running of multiple instances on a single server thereby increasing our hardware efficiency.

Reliability which is a result of multiple sites where the data is stored thus increasing the redundancy and with it the reliability.

Scalability and elasticity which is basically scaling up according to the load administered.

Security as the data is centralized however it is still a debatable topic whether security aspect can be considered as an important characteristic while going for cloud.

Maintenance as the application can be directly delivered from the host’s location so managing the applications is relatively easier.

Architecture

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Cloud computing sample architecture

Cloud architecture, the systems architecture of the software systems involved in the delivery of cloud computing, typically involves multiple cloud components communicating with each other over a loose coupling mechanism such as a messaging queue. Elastic provision implies intelligence in the use of tight or loose coupling as applied to mechanisms such as these and others.

The Inter-cloud

The Inter-cloud is an interconnected global "cloud of clouds"[59][60] and an extension of the Internet "network of networks" on which it is based.[61][62][63]

Cloud engineering

Cloud engineering is the application of engineering disciplines to cloud computing. It brings a systematic approach to the high-level concerns of commercialisation, standardisation, and governance in conceiving, developing, operating and maintaining cloud computing systems. It is a multidisciplinary method encompassing contributions from diverse areas such as systems, software, web, performance, information, security, platform, risk, and quality engineering.

Service models

Cloud computing providers offer their services according to three fundamental models:Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS) where IaaS is the most basic and each higher model abstracts from the details of the lower models.

Cloud computing layers.png

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

In this model the computers are provided by the service provider as abstraction of either a single or more than one virtual machine and some other resources.

Basically in infrastructure as a service the infrastructure part is provided by the service provider as a service to the client, the client then can install the programs or even operating system on his end to facilitate the access from his end. Usually the security aspect at the infrastructure end is provided by the service provider and at the application level is done by the client.

e.g. Amazon web services.

Platform as a service (PaaS)

In this model the service provider provides the platform, which includes the operating system, execution environment, database, etc, as a service to the client. This facilitates the developers to develop the application on the platform without even buying the platform.

E.g. Amazon Elastic Beanstalk

Software as a service (SaaS)

In this model the software is provided as a service to the customer. The service providers installs the applications on the client’s machine and the client can access these applications which are located on the cloud managed by the provider as and when they need. This model helps the client to save the cost of keeping unnecessary applications at his end and also he can use the application as and when he needs and pay for the same only when he has used the application.

E.g. Google Apps

Cloud clients

Users access cloud computing using networked client devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Some of these devices - cloud clients - rely on cloud computing for all or a majority of their applications so as to be essentially useless without it. Examples are thin clients and the browser-based Chromebook. Many cloud applications do not require specific software on the client and instead use a web browser to interact with the cloud application. With Ajax and HTML5 these Web user interfaces can achieve a similar or even better look and feel as native applications. Some cloud applications, however, support specific client software dedicated to these applications (e.g., virtual desktop clients and most email clients). Some legacy applications (line of business applications that until now have been prevalent in thin client Windows computing) are delivered via a screen-sharing technology.

Deployment models

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Cloud computing types

Public cloud

Public cloud applications, storage, and other resources are made available to the general public by a service provider. These services are free or offered on a pay-per-use model. Generally, public cloud service providers like Amazon AWS, Microsoft and Google own and operate the infrastructure and offer access only via Internet (direct connectivity is not offered).

Community cloud

Community cloud shares infrastructure between several organizations from a specific community with common concerns (security, compliance, jurisdiction, etc.), whether managed internally or by a third-party and hosted internally or externally. The costs are spread over fewer users than a public cloud (but more than a private cloud), so only some of the cost savings potential of cloud computing are realized.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid cloud is a composition of two or more clouds (private, community or public) that remain unique entities but are bound together, offering the benefits of multiple deployment models.

By utilizing "hybrid cloud" architecture, companies and individuals are able to obtain degrees of fault tolerance combined with locally immediate usability without dependency on internet connectivity. Hybrid cloud architecture requires both on-premises resources and off-site (remote) server-based cloud infrastructure.

Hybrid clouds lack the flexibility, security and certainty of in-house applications. Hybrid cloud provides the flexibility of in house applications with the fault tolerance and scalability of cloud based services.

Private cloud

Private cloud is cloud infrastructure operated solely for a single organization, whether managed internally or by a third-party and hosted internally or externally.Undertaking a private cloud project requires a significant level and degree of engagement to virtualize the business environment, and it will require the organization to reevaluate decisions about existing resources. When it is done right, it can have a positive impact on a business, but every one of the steps in the project raises security issues that must be addressed in order to avoid serious vulnerabilities.

They have attracted criticism because users "still have to buy, build, and manage them" and thus do not benefit from less hands-on management, essentially "the economic model that makes cloud computing such an intriguing concept".

Chapter 2

Literature Survey

India Information Technology Report - Q2 2012

Publication info: India Information Technology Report (Second Quarter 2012)

Abstract:

This article talks about the continual growth of the I.T market which will create a good market for the I.T products in the years to come. The addressable market is expected to increase by USD $21 billion approximately. The trend of using cloud computing to lower the cost for enterprises is also on the rise and with the proper knowledge of cloud in various sectors this factor will pick up a good pace in the coming years. Many big players like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, etc have already started targeting companies from all the sectors. However a proper infrastructure must be in place before such mega projects can be taken up and also the awareness factor must be increased.

INDIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REPORTQ2 2012

Summary

This article talks about the increasing trend in the expenses that the I.T companies are doing. There has been an increase in spending of 14% recorded by the organizations. There is a huge potential for the Indian market however proper penetration strategy targeting low computer and specifically in rural areas must be done.

Also according to the rating done based on the risk-return tradeoff ranks India 9th in the Asian countries ahead of countries like Indonesia, Thailand.

All of this presents a very good opportunity for businesses entering India and increase their presence in the country. This will allow them to bring new technologies like cloud to the country as well.

Enablers and inhibitors of advanced information technologies adoption by SMEs

Kannabiran, G. Journal of Enterprise Information Managementhttp://search.proquest.com/assets/r10.0.1-0/core/spacer.gif25. 2http://search.proquest.com/assets/r10.0.1-0/core/spacer.gif (2012): 186-209.

Summary

Purpose - The auto ancillary industry in India has witnessed huge capacity expansion and modernization due to entry of foreign automobile manufacturers in the post liberalization era. In spite of potential benefits, the adoption of advanced IT among small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is low in India. There are several technological, economical and organizational factors that enable or inhibit the adoption of advanced IT. The primary objective of this research is to identify and evaluate the key factors that are enabling or inhibiting adoption of advanced IT in the Indian auto ancillary SMEs. Design/methodology/approach - In order to identify and evaluate the enablers and inhibitors, a detailed survey was carried out among registered Indian auto ancillary SMEs during 2010. Out of 584 registered SMEs, 110 owners/top managers of the SMEs responded to the survey. The data collected through the survey were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate regression to evaluate the influence of enablers and inhibitors of advanced IT adoption by the auto ancillary SMEs. Findings - The survey findings show that the level of advanced IT adoption in auto ancillaries is low with only 17 per cent of SMEs having adopted technologies. This study reveals that "perceived benefits" and "perceived competitive pressure" enable advanced IT adoption among auto ancillary SMEs in India. However, "lack of financial capacity", "small scale operation and "lack of in-house IT manpower" inhibit the adoption. It is also found that enablers such as "changes in business environment", "IT experience of CEO/owner" and "increased information linkage with OEM/customer" do not have any influence on the adoption. Similarly in the case of inhibitors, "lack of IT Infrastructure" and "lack of information security" do not have significant association with IT adoption. Despite the positive external IT environment and recognition of benefits, advanced IT adoption by SMEs in the auto ancillaries is limited by lack of financial capabilities and in-house IT human resources. Originality/value - This is one of the early papers that brings out the enablers and inhibitors of advanced IT adoption by auto ancillaries in India. Further, these factors are systematically analyzed to assess the relative importance with reference to the SMEs. The findings contribute to theory of IT adoption among SMEs, but more importantly to the SMEs in the auto ancillary, and policy makers and IT service providers who are likely to facilitate increased adoption.

SMEs push the cloud higher

Financial Express [New Delhi] 27 Sep 2010.

Summary

According to Gartner, worldwide cloud services revenue would surpass $56.3 billion of last year, a 21.3% increase over 2008 revenue of $46.4 billion. Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, an aggregator, developer, publisher and distributor of Bollywood and South-Asian entertainment content, runs about 80% of its websites and applications on the cloud.

Benefits for SMEs

There are 3.5 million SMEs in India and many of them are accelerating the growth of cloud computing technology because of its ability to cut costs and reduce the need for capital equipment-both hardware and software. "Indian companies are accelerating the adoption of cloud services and do not have to spend capital expenses on servers or datacentres. They get to turn capital expense to variable operating expense, which is a huge advantage for SMEs that either do not have a lot of capital or those who simply do not want to commit capital to infrastructure," says Regina Tan, spokesperson from Amazon Web Services. The company counts Hungama Digital Media, Red Bus, Market Simplified, 8K Miles, Rediff, Patni and Indiagames as its clients in the Indian market. Some of the large global companies that are already using Amazon Web Services cloud include: Nasdaq, NASA, Virgin Atlantic, among others.

Small businesses think big with Google

Juneja, Manjari. Express Computer (Dec 19, 2011).

Summary

V.K. Agarwal, President, FISME said, With Google search being the most preferred search service on both the desktop and mobiles in India, this initiative of offering free domain, dynamic website and promotional tools, brings unparalleled advantage for small businesses in India.

Google's recent initiative of 'India get Your Business Online', is tailor made for companies who do not have a Web presence. As the battle for online advertising pans out, Google is banking on more newer businesses coupled with increased broadband penetration to drive its growth in India.

The logic is simple- get them online and further leverage their 'AdWords' program that eventually adds to Google's revenues. A couple of years back, Google introduced Google Apps for Business- messaging and collaboration tools and according to company officials has 2,00,000 SMBs as its customers for these Cloud services.

Google's goal is to help these 500,000 small medium businesses in India to get online in next three years through this program, working with web hosting provider HostGator.

SME Demand Leads to Carrier Cloud Opportunities for Operators in India: Indian operators now offer SMEs services that allow for easier cloud access, says Heavy Reading Insider

PR Newswire [New York] 04 Apr 2012

Summary

While Indian operators are emerging from a voice-era led low-ARPU regime to higher-speed data services enabled by 3G/4G infrastructure, large investments in network and spectrum are at stake," says Sridhar Pai, research analyst with Heavy Reading Insider and author of the report.

Hand in hand, a walk in the cloud: Start-ups with niche cloud-based applications are in turn drawing other start-ups as their first clients, creating rare synergies.

Khan, Taslima.Business Today (Jun 12, 2011).

Summary

They often involve complicated procedures as well, unsuited to a young company: having to pay upfront, for instance, installing servers and power backup. Using [SaaS], young companies can save at least 50-60 per cent of the cost of ownership of an on-premise software solution. "A talent management solution may typically cost over `25 lakh and take 12 to 18 months to implement," says Shyam Sunder, Chief Knowledge Officer at Ramco, a Chennai tech company that offers a cloud-based enterprise resource planning, or ERP, SaaS solution. "By then most of your talented people may have left you."

Apart from saving on costs, client start-ups also find the cloud vendors very useful for their hiring, project management and accounting tasks.

While cloud-based SaaS companies are empowering users to scale up, investors say their spread in the market will depend on the distinctiveness of these applications. At Springboard Ventures, who is currently screening eight start-ups with cloud applications, to choose one, cites the example of iDuple. com. It offers a package of a handheld device with a browser and all necessary web software required by an SME or start-up on the cloud. "That is the kind of differentiation needed," he says.

Chapter 3

About the project

3.1 Objective

Effectiveness of the use of cloud computing in SME’s in terms of cost and security.

Methodology Adopted

The methodology adopted mainly will deal with identifying the vendors that enables cloud computing and the operators that provide the cloud services.

Vendors that enable cloud infrastructure are:

Alactel Lucent

Cisco systems inc

HP

Huwei technologies

NEC corp

Nokia Siemens networks

Operators Profiled

Aircel Business solutions

Amazon web services

Reliance Globalcom

Sify Technologies

Tata communications

Tulip Telcom Ltd.

As any research requires data for the analysis , the data considered in this project falls under two categories which are:

Primary Data: - The objective is to identify what are the benefits and drawbacks of Cloud Computing, and the factors that shove the enterprises to shift to Cloud Computing technology. This will be done exploratory research. The essential variables of the subject, the phenomena, Cloud Computing, information systems in enterprises are:

Cost

Security

The data will be collected using questionnaire considering these two factors.

Secondary Data: - These data are generally the data which support the primary data and hold an important position in the analysis of the research. The secondary data includes information from the internet.