Posted by John Panico on Mon, Apr 05, 2010
If you read my last post, you know that the first level of defense for protecting your data in the Cloud rests on the Data Center facility. If you missed it, not to worry... Fox network has just picked up the rights to create a new sitcom based on my posts and it will air right after American Idol. Imagine the ratings!
Of course, I'm kidding. But you can check out Part 1 of this series after you are done here. Part 2 of this 3 part series of posts that answers the top 3 things every small business owner should know about storing their data in the Cloud will focus on the Server and Network Infrastructure. This is probably my favorite topic to discuss with potential customers who ask about their data and storing it in the Cloud.
#2 - Server and Network Infrastructure
This is really where Cloud providers bring value to the table. The value is twofold; availability of resources and cost. I'll start with availability. Server and Network infrastructure in the Cloud is built in a redundant fashion. Simply put, this means that there are at least two of everything (I'll explain this highly technical term further down in the post). And when I say everything, I do mean everything. AND... when I say at least two, I really mean several layers! All of this infrastructure is architected with the goal of minimizing and in some cases eliminating single points of failure. Which in turn equates to increased availability. Depending on what equipment we're discussing, the redundancy is there "just in case" or in the event one device fails another device will take over that operation. In other implementations of redundancy, there are "pools" of resources that are all interconnected. In this example, "pooling" resources allows for:
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load balancing (sharing the workload),
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aggregation (CPU, Memory, Disk to name a few) and
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managing failover scenarios (in an automated fashion).
So what does "everything" mean when referring to Cloud infrastructure? I would categorize the infrastructure this way;
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LAN/WAN (Routers, Switches, etc.),
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Security (Firewalls, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems, Anti-virus/Spyware, Spam and
Content Filters),
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Servers (Physical and Virtual),
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Storage (SAN, NAS, CAS),
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Telephony (SIP Gateways, IP Call Processing, etc.).
Now, if you are not sure what some of the equipment is listed above, that's okay... neither do I. In fact, some of it is made up and there for effect. Again, I'm kidding. I wanted to make the point that Cloud providers have enterprise-class infrastructure that for the most part only larger organizations had the capital to build out. Now, small businesses can leverage this infrastructure through Cloud providers and create a more secure, highly available computing environment.
So how does a Cloud provider build out infrastructure as described above and still offer their services and products at a lower cost than traditional on premise implementations? They do it by leveraging economies of scale in the form of hardware virtualization and usage based software licensing.
I won't get into the "weeds" technically with server virtualization and how it works in this post. I will leave that as a future post for one of our architects. However, I will say that server virtualization is one of the biggest contributors to cloud based computing. The second biggest factor (in my humble opinion) are new licensing models that cloud providers can subscribe to that allow for software to be "used" rather than purchased. This usage model perfectly aligns with how Cloud providers are in turn charging their customers. You could say that virtualization and usage based licensing coming together at the same time is a perfect storm and allows providers to pass along the savings to their customers. It's beautiful, I know!
Thanks again for tuning in and look for Part 3 in the next post that will discuss the resources that manage all of the infrastructure. I will talk about both physical resources (highly skilled engineers) and virtual resources like monitoring systems.
Posted by John Panico on Mon, Mar 22, 2010
One of the most common questions I get when meeting with small business owners is "Dude, where's my car?". Actually, it's "John, where's my data?". Sorry, I just couldn't resist plugging one of my favorite stupid, but funny movies that offered a parallel segway into my post today.
Knowing where your data lives in the Cloud is an important question to ask all Cloud vendors and should be part of your criteria for evaluation. To help answer this question, I am putting together a series of posts that will answer the top 3 things every small business owner should know about storing their data in the Cloud.
#1 - World Class Data Center Facility
First, and foremost, I discuss the Data Center. Most Cloud providers have either invested in their own data center or leverage someone else's data center to host their infrastructure. When referring to world class, this typically means it is a SAS 70 Type II certified facility, situated on a dual utility power grid. The state of the art facility will also include biometric security, redundancy in all critical systems, on-site Network Operations Centers (NOCs) and qualified engineer's 24/7/365. At Virtual Resources, we leverage DBSi's data centers to host our production Cloud infrastructure. DBSi is the region's leading data center vendor with over 28 years of industry service.
In addition to a SAS 70 Type II certification, world class data centers (like DBSi) will support multiple compliancies like GLB, SEC and HIPAA. The latest advances in physical security are a must. At DBSi, one of their security measures is a "mantrap entrance". Basically, a revolving door will admit a badged visitor, but if the access has been revoked, the revolving door will stop and "trap" the person inside the revolving door. Hmmm, wouldn't want to be that guy! Redundant critical systems come in the form of power, cooling, fire suppression, fiber and telecom providers. This might be as my kids say "TMI" (too much information) and more than you would ever want to know about Cloud Data Centers, but it's the first level of defense for securing and protecting your data.
In closing, let me explain what this means to a small business owner considering moving their data to a cloud provider with a world class data center. Simply put... more physical security and protection than you would normally have access to in your office building. Most (not all) small businesses keep their server and network infrastructure in a closet that was built for general storage within their office space. I have seen hundreds of these closet spaces and they all look the same. There is lots of dust, a single source of power, no cooling or fire suppression and for sure no "mantrap" revolving door!
But, its going to be okay... there is a solution. Small businesses can now leverage the cloud to gain access to this type of enterprise class security and protection. Look for Part 2 of this installment which will discuss the actual infrastructure that hosts your business critical data.
Posted by John Panico on Sun, Feb 28, 2010
Alongside the Social Media revolution, Cloud Computing is creating its own buzz and is reshaping the way businesses build and maintain their Information Technology environments. But when you look beyond all the hype and buzz, you will see the reality of Cloud Computing is providing benefits to companies that were never before possible.
So what is Cloud Computing? Let's start by defining the Cloud. Wikipedia says the Cloud is a "metaphor for the Internet". It also defines Computing as the "use of computer technology". So, by definition we could say Cloud Computing is "the use of computer technology over the Internet". But that's a little broad and may still leave you scratching your head. To get more clarity we must first shift our way of thinking from the widely used term of the past decade "on the Internet" and move forward to "over the Internet". Think AOL and dial-up modems versus Google and high-speed, broadband access to the Internet. Over the Internet refers to having information and remote services delivered to us rather than seeking it out. So to keep it simple, we'll say that cloud computing provides a remote service that users can access via the Internet.
Today, the most typical form of Cloud Computing is called Software-as-a-Service (also referred to as SaaS). Common business applications are run on a vendor's web servers and are accessed by users from inside a web browser. Examples of SaaS are CRM applications like Salesforce.com or Financial applications like Quickbooks Online. New SaaS providers are coming to market every day and the good news is that more and more of them are targeting small businesses. A great resource to help find a SaaS application for your business is The Small Business Web initiative (http://www.thesmallbusinessweb.com/). The applications listed offer a full suite of services normally reserved for only larger enterprises. Another popular form of cloud computing is Communications-as-a-Service (or VoIP). Some of you may already be using a service like this at home. Comcast and Verizon both offer a digital voice service provided over your home internet connection.
I could go on and talk about other forms of Cloud Computing like Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Platform-as-a-Service, but the common theme is Everything-as-a-Service. You subscribe instead of buy, you access via the web and consume only the resources you need when you need it. Very cool! Stay tuned for my next post that will discuss the benefits of Cloud Computing for small businesses.
Posted by John Panico on Sun, Feb 28, 2010
In my last post, I defined Cloud Computing and gave it a "very cool" factor. Well the "cool" factor is nice, but to quote a popular commercial from the 80's, "Where's the beef?". In other words, what does Cloud Computing really mean for small businesses? At our company Virtual Resources we like to say leverage the "Cloud" to reclaim time and money. What small business owner wouldn't want more time or more money to invest in their business?
Let's start with the idea of keeping more of the money you make. Procuring the required hardware or software for a start-up or growing business is an expense that many entrepreneurs/owners would like to avoid or simply cannot afford. Imagine if you were freed from the burden of purchasing your IT resources? With Cloud Computing there is no capital equipment to buy. If I could pause for effect right here, I would. You subscribe instead of buy and in most cases it is for a monthly per user fee. Your capital expense has just turned into an operating expense. Better yet, if your business has access to capital, you can re-invest it into a more strategic initiative that will help your business grow!
A great example of this concept is the need to replace or upgrade an outdated phone system. It all depends on the number of users and handsets but for most small businesses this is a capital expense with at least 5 figures. More and more small businesses are already taking advantage of higher bandwidth internet connections, so looking at a hosted VoIP service would be a great fit. Now, how about the idea of creating more time to focus on what you do best? Unless you're in the IT business, maintaining and upgrading your hardware and software is not generating revenue for your business. Conversely, it's probably taken you away from your business when there are problems. If you've ever had a server crash and did not have access to your email or another critical application, then you know what I'm talking about. Most cloud providers are utilizing state of the art, highly available and redundant infrastructure to run their services with highly trained technical staff to maintain it. And most services come with Service Level Agreements with guaranteed uptime so you can work "on your business" and not "at your business".
What excites me most about the concept of Cloud Computing is that it is real and it is only going to keep improving with more available services. Gartner Group predicts "a fifth of enterprises will hold no IT assets by 2012 as Cloud Computing becomes commonplace". Remember the term "E-commerce"? I rarely hear that term used anymore. We just say, "I bought it online". The same thing will happen with Cloud Computing where we won't have to explain the term. Rather, we can simply smile and say "it's in the cloud".