The Next Generation in Cloud Computing

Most people have heard of the cloud and are using it on a daily basis, but did you know that Cloud Computing wasn't always the first choice for computer hosting? The following diagram shows the evolution and history of computer hosting, with the cloud as the most recent and most efficient infrastructure to date.

You may be asking yourself: what will happen in the next generation of cloud computing? Well, the massive growth of cloud computing throughout the past decade has been driving today’s Information Technology infrastructure to become more efficient through integration.

Cloud Computing as a modern means of linking people through networks over the Internet must demand performance and resiliency. The next generation can give us exactly that. Companies are creating a leap in performance of the cloud through converged storage, networking, and server systems.

This essentially can be broken down into: 

Storage

By creating storage pools, data is able to be positioned on the optimal type of storage, meaning that data that is heavily accessed on a daily basis can be placed on flash arrays and data that only requires traditional storage is placed on slower disks.

Networking           

A converged system has the opportunity to deliver networking throughput. This means that switches and fabric interconnects can allow data to pass through the networking layer easier. This together with a better converged infrastructure give us the ability to have more performance optimization.

Compute

The next-generation converged platform has a compute layer that is also beginning to evolve. Due to the increase in technology about the Cloud, today's modern systems are able to handle several hardware failures, but can still provide a smooth experience to the end-user. 

If you want to learn more about whats coming in the next generation of cloud computing, you can read this article: http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/cloud-infrastructure/cloud-computing-the-next-generation-/d/d-id/898954

Check out this video for more information about the future of a converged infrastructure and what it means for you and I!
http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/the-future-of-converged-infrastructure/v/d-id/898924

Challenges to Cloud Computing

Most of the issues associated with Cloud Computing have to do with the Public Cloud, though there are also some challenges with privacy in the Private Cloud.

If you don't remember the difference between the public and the private clouds, let me refresh your memory. The Public Cloud is the part of the cloud that internet users see and that we are all connected to through network. For example when you log onto Facebook, you are using the Public Cloud.

The Private Cloud is a little more tricky. Large companies mainly use the private cloud in order to access a more secure network that is not connected to the internet. The reason for this is that it is essentially 'private' and cannot be accessed by anyone except for those that it is intended, hence the term 'private cloud.'

Risks Associated with Cloud Computing

As I said before, the main security problems that Cloud Computing causes have to do with the public cloud. This is a big issue, because of the massive number of people using the internet on a daily basis, not only posting status updates and photos, but also creating an almost infinite amount of online content and data that must be stored securely. There are many issues involved with social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, because people do not realize that when they are posting photos and other things  on these sites, these files become the intellectual property of that particular site. Virtually no body reads the Terms of Service before signing up to a website, but you probably should, because it clearly outlines what is expected in terms of intellectual property when you are contributing to that site.

However, remember that the public cloud isn't the only one with problems.

The main issue with the private cloud is that the people that use it are worried about who has access to their private information and documents. Although the private cloud is supposed to be secure, this is not always true, and people can hack into servers and retrieve data that was supposed to be confidential or private, and can cause problems that can become as severe as identity theft.

Check out this video to learn more about cloud computing security! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiFnz5XdaQM

Changing Jobs and the Way We Use Technology

Cloud computing has evolved so much over the past decade and is continuing to grow rapidly. It is becoming more predominant in so many peoples lives on a global scale. It is changing the way we use technology because it is making our lives a lot easier. It has eliminated most of the previous much more complex restrictions that used to be present in the more traditional computing environment... those things being space, time, power and cost. 

“Just as cloud computing is a game-changer for many companies, it is also changing the nature of jobs- not only within the information technology department, but in other parts of the enterprise as well,” says Forbes Magazine. The changes present are a direct reflections of a “more strategic role IT plays in the direction of business.” In regards to the business industry it has introduced a much more “reliable and predictable supporting technology.” 

More and more businesses are beginning to shift to the cloud, therefore there is “growing demand for professionals and managers that are more focused on business development than they are in the application development.” Jobs that are being creating may not necessarily always have the word ‘cloud’ within the job title, but “the cloud will form the core of their job descriptions.” 

Some Examples of recent jobs involving the cloud: 

1. Cloud Specialist
2. Cloud Computing Architect
3. System Engineer- Cloud Computing 
4. Lead Software Developer- Cloud Computing Focused
5. Cloud Architect- Infrastructure
6. Cloud Alliance Manager
7. Virtualization & Cloud Computing Subject Matter Expert

The graph below shows the impact on jobs that Cloud Computing has had and will have in the next two years. 

Find out more here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2011/12/26/cloud-computing-is-changing-many-job-descriptions/e

Check out this article on InfoWorld.com that explains what cloud computing really means for today's society: http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031

Advantages and Disadvantages

Working with cloud computing has it's advantages but at the same time it has it's disadvantages. Here are some things to remember when working with the cloud...

Advantages

1. It gives you the opportunity to meet new people and connect/work with them over the internet. It is amazing that you are able to connect with people on a global scale and there is a HUGE benefit to it- strength in weak ties: innovation and creativity are more likely to occur between people via the internet because you have access to a seemingly infinite amount of different view points and opinions.
2. More time to present the best version of yourself, whereas in person you are given this luxury (Example: Virtual Chior- Eric Whitacre).
3. Cost effective.
4. Easier to manage.
5. Gives you the ability to step outside of your comfort zone (Example: Virtual Chior- Eric Whitacre).

Disadvantages 

It's not always sunny when it comes to the Cloud, there are some disadvantages of using Cloud computing. 

1. Loss of genuine connection: the internet disconnects us from one another and does not allow people to build the same relationships that you are able to build in person. 
2. You can't judge emotion: things such as social cues are harder to distinguish over the computer. 
3. Longer waiting time: it is easier to insure a response to your questions in person- so people aren't as punctual. 
4. Access to internet is not always reliable: some people are unable to get access to the internet as easily as others and even when they have connection can be weak or they can disconnect. 
5. Harder to resolve conflicts: in person you are able to talk to things out, whereas online there is a communication barrier. 
   
   

Breaking Down the Cloud

You may be thinking, so what is 'The Cloud' and why is it so important? Well, The Cloud essentially allows people from all over the world to create, share, and download information and data and save it to a network rather than a personal computer. It is composed of two separate sub categories: 

1. The Public Cloud  
The public cloud is the cloud we are most familiar with as it is the one we see and use almost everyday- we are connected to this cloud via the internet. 

2. The Private Cloud
The private cloud on the other hand is the more 'secure' cloud- it is used by large corporations to gain access through a network that is not the internet. 

What makes up the cloud? The front end and the back end. Seems simple doesn't it? - Well it is. The front end is the part of the cloud that you see on the internet (example: Facebook, Twitter etc.) The back end is the part of the cloud that consists of the servers and data storage systems. 

How does it work, you may ask? 

Control node: is the central server in the cloud computing system. 

Middleware: is the special software used to govern the system. 

Protocols: The official procedure or set of rules that the system must follow in order to function properly. 

Redundancy: Is when the cloud makes copies of the data so that no information is ever lost. 

Quiz your knowledge: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/ultimate-cloud-computing-quiz.htm check out this link to test what you know and what things you need to brush up on!

If you still don't get it, check out this video titled "Cloud Computing for Dummies" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJncFirhjPg! You'll be sure to understand Cloud Computing after that!