ATA Projects: Cloud Computing Investigation

Description

Links

Throughout the past year we have heard the term "cloud computing" used more and more. But what is it? One simple definition would be the use of network enabled IT resources which are external to your organization. The implication is that an external vendor who can "sell" computing resources to an organization can do so (relatively) cheaply by taking advantage of the economies of scale (again, assuming that the vendor has massive amounts of computing power/resources available to sell). When viewed against the traditional model of an organization staffing their own computing resources and support personnel it would appear (on the surface) that "outsourcing" a company's computing needs would be a cheaper alternative.

Recent attendees of the Cloud Computing Expo this summer in NYC have come back telling a slightly different story. The real benefit in cloud computing tends to come from being willing to adjust business practices to work with resources that tend to be homogenous. The cost savings comes from not having the overhead associated with maintaining many different (heterogenous) systems. The implication was that if your organization is already running in a well managed, homogenous environment it might not see dramatic cost savings simply by outsourcing the operation of the physical hardware to an external vendor.

ATA's task in this area is to lead/coordinate investigations into cloud computing to arrive at a recommendation on how to proceed. Should we outsource as much as possible? Should we convert our existing physical hardware resources into "cloud components" that tend to be homogenous and realize cost savings without needing to consider the use of physical outside resources?

The following items are directly related to this project:

• Consolidated LAMP Stack Investigation

• Preliminary Cloud Report

Updates

September 9, 2009:

The majority of work associated with this effort has been, to date, a research exercise. We've spoken with a number of CIT staff and some individuals across campus about their outlook/experience/expectations with respect to cloud computing. The Gartner Group has also published a packet of research articles pertaining to cloud computing. Their recommendations, along with all of the invidual feedback received to date have allowed us to put together a "preliminary findings" document that lays out a couple of potential approaches to cloud computing in the future.

Staff Associated With Project

What's New?

• Ron DiNapoli, Acting Director, CIT/ATA
  • 120 Maple Ave, Rm 272a
  • rd29@cornell.edu
  • (607) 255-7605