CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is the technology of delivering hosted services using the internet. It

describes the delivery of storage capacity and computing as a service. It entrusts user data

services, software and the computation through the internet. Cloud computing will rely on

resource sharing in achieving coherence as well as the economies of scale over networks

(Hinchcliffe, 2009). Cloud computing migrates the computing services by the on-premises,

on remote systems on the Internet.

The three major categories of the services offered by cloud computing include

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

,Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

A cloud can either be public or private. Public cloud allows access to any person on the

Internet, while a private cloud provides hosted services to only a few people. However virtual

private cloud results when a private cloud is created while in the public cloud. Cloud

computing thus provides a scalable and easy access to both the computing services and IT

resources.

The cloud computing technology is aimed at outsourcing underlying infrastructure to

lower data processing costs. Despite of the challenges associated with cloud computing, there

has been issues regarding data security, and some measures have been put in place to counter

such effects.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGPHY

Plummer D. and Gartner “The Business Landscape of Cloud Computing”:

www.gartner.com/cloud 2012-08-09

According to Gartner, cloud computing technology heralds the business evolution. He

has defined cloud computing as a computing style that provides a highly scalable capability

in IT. He has outlined the frameworks that enhance the optimization of the cloud investment,

the imperative nature of the hybrid cloud computing application services, the brokerage in

cloud computing to enhance consumption of the cloud, the necessity of the cloud-centric

design, and the influences of cloud computing to the operational models and the future data

centre.

The work by Gartner is relevant to the topic due to the detailed explanation of the

cloud computing from the definition to the impacts in operation like in job environment. The

presentation of the ideas and questions posed in chapters 11 and 12 indicates that the source

is critical in the cloud ecosystem.

The information in this source is obtained from reliable sources hence accurate.

Sean C. and Kevin C. “Cloud computing technologies”. International journal of cloud

computing and services science. 1 no 22 (2012): 59-65.

This paper outlines the major characteristics of the cloud computing technologies.

Cloud computing technology is described in terms of three services which include SaaS, IaaS

and PaaS. In the technical aspect description, cloud computing is distinguished from other

computing models based on four characteristics of multi-tenancy or resource pooling,

massive scalability, rapid elasticity and the measured services. Firstly, Software-as-a-service

technology is described to offer users with easier method of accessing standard business

applications like emails eliminating the need for installation special software. Secondly,

Platform-as-a-service is described as cloud-delivered services that enable development of

applications, management and cloud integration to allow software developers come up with

software solutions. Finally, Infrastructure-as-a-service provides computational and the

storage infrastructure within a centralized and location-transparent service. Furthermore

virtualization as an underlying technology is described.

Virtualization allows for abstraction and the isolation of the lower level functionalities

that underlie the hardware components. The three types of virtualization include isolation,

Para and full. The journal outlines the future of technology as unpredictable, but points out

that in terms of technology, cloud computing is growing at a higher rate.

The source is from the Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science that has undergone

a series of revisions and was internationally accepted in 2012, hence a reliable. The source is

significant to the topic since it presents key concepts and terminologies in cloud computing

complexity.

Dillon, T., Wu, C., & Chang, E. “Cloud Computing: Issues and Challenges”. 24th IEEE

International Conference on Advanced Information, (2012): 27-33.

This journal has described the major challenges facing the use of the cloud. There has

been no clear definition on the cloud computing technologies. The consumers within the

cloud are denied the control over the computing resources. The data governance in cloud

computing is very poor; hence the migration of consumers to CSP infrastructure leads to the

loss of data control. Data security has been explained as the major challenge that is facing

cloud computing. The consumer data is prone to threats and exploitation. Consumers are

under the denied service (DoS) attacks resulting to huge payments that are dependent on the

use of the resources of the cloud due to pay-per-use model of billing.

This source has enhanced a better understanding of the challenges that are facing the

cloud computing. The source is appropriate since it was internationally accepted during an

advanced information conference, hence reliable.

Nuno Santos. Krishna P. and Rodrigo R. “Towards Trusted Cloud Computing”. 2009.

Various methods of countering the Costs in IT are outlined in this journal. The cloud

based systems are considered as a threat to data confidentiality. The measures to enhance

confidentiality include encryption that secures the data before storing it, and encrypted data

should be stored in the host memory before computation. Efforts to secure some software like

Amazon’s EC2 will protect manipulation of the customer information by other users, and this

is said to be effected through auditing, restricting the hardware access to protect sensitive

infrastructure facilities. Computing platforms like Terra prevent interference of computation

by the owners of the physical host. However, this paper has proposed Trusted Cloud

Computing Platform (TCCP) which will ensure integrity and confidentiality of the

outsourced computations.

The source is relevant in presenting the challenges that are caused by the cloud computing

technology and the methods of countering these threats as well as giving the proposals on the

platforms in cloud computing. The authors have been in the forefront in issues regarding data

and information security, hence the source is reliable.

Ajith S. N, M. Hemalatha. “Cloud computing for academic environment”. International

journal on ICT 2, (2012): 97-101.

The journal gives the analysis of the use of cloud computing on servers that are

accessed through the internet. Cloud computing has been described to provide for shared

infrastructure in its pay-per use model. The author has described the use of cloud computing

as service software where it provides for open, flexible and unified network that provides a

platform for solving problems that require constant updates. However, the author has outlined

that many institutions are unaware of the benefits of cloud computing such as cost reduction,

flexibility and scalable infrastructure as well as increased mobility for the global workforce.

In his analysis of the lab problem, the author compares cloud computing with other methods

of data maintenance. Furthermore, the journal has described the use of cloud computing and

related model in applications like businesses and personal productivity. Therefore, the journal

points suitability of new cloud computing technology in any environment.

The source has presented information on cloud computing in academics in the field of

e-learning. The mode of idea presentation is clearly and it concludes by presenting cloud

computing as the only solution for the data security and storage, hence a reliable source.

Michael A., Randy K. and Matei Z. “Clearing the clouds away from the true potential and

obstacles posed by the cloud computing capability in A view of cloud computing”. An article

on communications of the ACM 53, no 4, 2010.

The authors have described cloud computing as having the potential of transforming the

IT industry by enhancing the software so as to shape the design and the purchase of the

hardware. In their definition of cloud computing, the authors describe it as the applications

which are delivered in form of services through the internet as well as hardware and software

systems involved with delivery of SaaS, IaaS or PaaS services. The utility computing classes,

cloud computing economics, obstacles and opportunities in cloud computing has been

analyzed. The article has predicted the growth of cloud computing regardless of whether the

services are either at low or high level, and that it should focus on the horizontal scalability of

the virtualized resources instead of the single node performance.

The source is relevant due to the clear presentation of the potentiality of cloud computing

in IT industry, and the proposals for both the hardware and software for the cloud computing.

The explanation of the topic is extensive and comprehensive hence reliable.

Thomas J. Betcher. “Key IT-related risks and mitigation strategies for consideration by IT

security practitioners”. A capstone report on cloud computing, 2010.

The report has described cloud computing applications and raises concerns on the

privacy, security as well as the reliability to the available information. The author has quoted

the views from other authors and gives their recommendations regarding cloud computing

applications. The main purpose of the report was to identify and describe the risks and the

various categories in IT and the different mitigation measures. The mitigation strategies

include audit controls, review of cloud computing policies and procedures, establishment and

promotion of the cloud standards. From security perspective, the author points out that

flexibility and scalability that comes with cloud computing is both a foe and a friend. In

conclusion, the author recommends for the evaluation of the risks by organizations and set up

of the mitigation strategies in the implementation of cloud computing.

The source is significant in describing about the risks that come with cloud computing,

and has clearly explained the mitigation measures. The source has achieved the objectives

through a thorough description of the risks and mitigation measures, as well as giving the

recommendations for the implementations of these measures.

This is a Capstone Report which is a reputable in cloud computing technologies, hence the

source is reliable.

John F. G. Stephen M. and Anna T. “Cloud computing role in job creation”. In white paper

sponsored by Microsoft, 2012.

The journal introduces that cloud computing is important for the delivery of the economic

values. This paper has examined the effects of cloud computing on global employment. IDC

has given the estimates of the budget shifted by the emergence of cloud computing

innovations. The authors describe the jobs created by cloud computing as a major innovation

in business. In the “jobs by segment” analysis, cloud computing is viewed to ensure equality

of job split between countries. By industry, the services in cloud computing are said to vary

greatly due to complexity related with the cloud computing adoption.

The source is relevant in analysis of the geographical factors that determine the number of

jobs in cloud computing and the distribution in different regions. The paper is sponsored by

Microsoft and hence reliable.

Michael A., Anthony D., H. Katz and Andrew K. “Above the Cloud in A Berkeley view of

cloud computing”. A technical report on cloud computing, 2009.

The authors describe cloud computing in the context of technological advancement of the

traditional computing utility. This report analyzes the different journal from the various

authors on the topic of cloud computing. The term cloud computing has been defined in this

report, and the differences between public and private cloud outlined. Benefits related with

adoption of cloud computing by organizations have been analyzed in terms of price

advantage, revenue streaming, franchise defence, incumbent attacks, customer relationship

leveraging and the enabling of the plug-in applications. The drivers for the cloud computing

include parallel batch processing and the mobile interactive applications. Cloud computing

have been analyzed in terms of the utility classes, economics, elasticity, comparison of the

costs as well as the opportunities related with the adoption of the cloud computing

technology.

The source is significant due to the current increase use of cloud computing in IT, hence,

description on jobs by cloud computing will enhance impressive returns.

This is a technical report that has been supported by Microsoft, which is a reputable

company in information technology, and hence trusted source.

Q. Zhang, Lu Cheng and Raouf B. “Cloud computer in State of art the art and research

challenges”. An original paper on cloud computing, 2010.

The authors give the adoption of cloud computing due to the advancement in processing

and data storage technologies that have enabled realization of both the realising and leasing

utilities through the internet. This paper give the advantages that come with the adoption of

cloud computing, the related definitions and technologies, the architecture and the

characteristics. State of art describes the new technologies used in cloud computing and

survey of the most renown products. The research challenges are outlined, which include the

automatic resource provisioning.

This paper is relevant to the topic since it gives a survey of state-of-art of the cloud

computing and covers the essential concepts, the architectural designs, the prominent

characteristics, the key technologies and the research directions.

The paper was presented to the Brazilin Computer Society in January, accepted in

February and published on-line in April 2010; hence, the source is reliable.

Jie Liu, Michel G. Sean J. and Christian B. “The data furnace in heating up with cloud

computing”. A paper on cloud computing, 2010.

This paper outlines the expansion of capacity in cloud computing novelty with no

increase in the financial burdens and the energy costs. The data furnace is described as

reusing the facilities as well as the energy that have been allocated for purposes of heating to

enable provision of the computing services at a low cost as well as energy footprint. Homes

have been illustrated in terms of heated water supply system.

The paper is relevant in that it gives the argument on the increased electricity

consumption by the computers and gives has given proposal on cloud computing making the

reuse of energy a promising direction.

This is a paper by the Microsoft research which is a reputable company in cloud

computing, hence reliable.

Siti M., Say Y. and Caroline C. “Cloud enterprise systems”. In a review of literature and its

adoption, 2012.

This paper describes the consolidation of the ICT infrastructure due to the development of

application in Information Systems. The recommendation on new technology adoption is

based on the evaluation of the capabilities and the technological challenges. The definition of

the “Cloud ES” has been conceptualized, and its relation with original grid computing

outlined. However, cloud ERP has been used in defining Cloud ER, which is different from

ER definition. The adoption of Cloud ER and SMEs is also analyzed. Technically, this paper

points out the simplicity of the Cloud ES deployment. The technologies in cloud have been

said to empower the SMEs in operation of more efficient, scalable and flexible typologies. In

SMEs cloud computing reduces investments in infrastructure and reduce the complexity in

business embedded on-premise ES.

The source is relevant due to the current increased demand for the consolidation of the

ICT infrastructures, and thus the need for re-design methods that are appropriate for the

development of information systems. The research method used have conceptualized the

research areas as well as the surveys from several papers that are relevant and related to cloud

computing, hence it is reliable.

Mehmet F. and Serhat B. “Cloud Computing for Distributed University Campus”. A paper on

prototype suggestion, 2012.

This paper discusses the architecture of cloud computing services, types and layers of

cloud in a distributed university campus. Cloud computing has been defined in terms of

technological capabilities, the related characteristics, and the reasons for its adoption in the

business and academic environments. The reason for use in universities is to enhance

hardware reduction costs, exponential increase in data size and increase use of web 2.0

applications. The paper has proposed the infrastructure scenario used in universities which is

said to change with technology.

The source is relevant to shed light to learning institutions on the benefits of cloud

computing, and have given proposals for the adoption of this technology to avail software to

students at any time, at any place and provide a platform for application development stored

in the university’s infrastructure. However, this source presents prototype, hence the

reliability of the actual implementation in universities is questionable.

Ajith S. and M. Hemalatha. “Comparative analysis of low latency on different bandwidth and

geographical locations while using cloud based applications”. International journal in

engineering and technology 2, no. 1 (2012): 392-400.

This journal describes the outsourcing of the functionality of the data centre and the

online application in web mode through the cloud computing network connection. The

journal outlines performance of cloud computing application based on the quality, availability

and performance of internet connection. In their definition of problem and the technical

studies, the authors describe latency as a major problem due to the internal networks being far

from the clouds. Contextually, this journal advocates for the proper design of web browsers

on web application to avoid latency, and cloud computing will eliminate latency that occur in

different locations. Cloud computing is thus described as a powerful tool towards increased

elasticity, cutting across the costs that result due to the deployment of emerging platforms.

Redundant cloud architectures, data centre infrastructure as well as the technology on

innovative route optimization avails applications and enhance the performance. The

technology utilization beyond cloud edge like acceleration of TCP and the content delivery

networks is said to enhance delivery of the contents to the end users.

The source is relevant to the topic since it describes the appropriate designs based on

geographical location, and the challenges brought about by latency, and hence the need for

cloud computing. The journal is from the ‘International Advance in Engineering and

Technology’, hence trustable source.

Zhang T. and Jiao L. “The research and application of network teaching platform based on

cloud computing”. International journal of information and education technology 1 no.

3(2011): 231-234.

This journal is about the need for networks in education. The teaching of the

application in networks encourages independence in learning where the students may

organize study time. The tracking of the progress of the students by the teachers will enhance

timely communication to students. Increase of access to the systems requires constant updates

and cloud computing technology comes in handy.

The journal is appropriate in relation to the topic since it gives a clear description of

cloud computing in network teaching, and it recommends adoption of the cloud computing in

education development to enhance performance due to high scalability and stability

associated with this technology.

The journal is internationally accepted in the field of Information and Education

technology, hence reliable.

Thomas B., John S. “Cloud Computing”. A collection of working papers by Deloitte, 2009.

This paper advocates for the adoption of cloud computing in addressing the tactical

problems in the IT. According to this paper cloud computing has been in use in CIOs to

enhance flexibility, cost-effective and readily scalable IT operations. In the description of the

autonomic service architecture characteristics, this paper points out that the implementation

of cloud computing is critical in businesses. The architecture styles in cloud computing have

been defined and recommendations on the best architecture in factoring and layering of data

made. The paper analyzes the cloud composition and management of a cloud by another

cloud is outlined. The interaction between a private and a public cloud is thus clearly shown.

However, the paper has described the service grid and gives its correlation to the cloud. The

additional constraints imposed by the service grid on the cloud structure have been described.

This paper is relevant to the topic due to its analysis of cloud computing in a business

environment and has out-sourced information from different relevant papers on cloud

computing, hence reliable.

Cloud security alliance. “Security guidance for critical areas of focus in cloud computing”.

http://www.cloudsecurityalliance.org/guidance/csaguide.pdf, 2012-08-09.

This report outlines the areas of concern towards the adoption of cloud computing

technologies by organizations. According to this report, cloud computing in organizations

enhances a proactive development of security in networks. This report focuses on the risks in

cloud computing and the gives the strategies necessary for mitigation. Fifteen domains of the

three main risks in IT have been described in this report.

This source is relevant to the topic of cloud computing due to the clear and precise

description of the technology. The source is readily accessible from the Internet in pdf

format, thus not prone to editing, and this makes it to be reliable.

ISACA. “Cloud Computing”. Business benefits with security, governance and Assurance

perspectives, 2009.

http://www.isaca.org/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Deliverables&Template=/

ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53044 2012-08-09

This article analyzes the impact of cloud computing in different environments.

Globalization and the increased pressures in the economy have increased the need for

availability, efficiency as well as scalability in enterprise information. Risks to

information have been outlined by the IT professionals and recommendations made to the

management and the stakeholders on data security. This article gives the clarification on

the cloud computing, describes the services that are offered by the clouds, and gives an

examination of the benefits to the businesses. Despite of the benefits related to cloud

computing, the article gives an overview of the risks and the security concerns like the

choice of the appropriate provider, confidentiality, disaster recovery and appropriate

handling of the information.

The source is relevant in delivery of information on benefits of cloud computing in a

global environment, which has been not developed. The reliability of the source is

however not established.

REFERENCES

Plummer D. and Gartner “The Business Landscape of Cloud Computing”:

www.gartner.com/cloud 2012-08-09

Sean C. and Kevin C. “Cloud computing technologies”. International journal of cloud

computing and services science. 1 no 22 (2012): 59-65

Dillon, T., Wu, C., & Chang, E. “Cloud Computing: Issues and Challenges”. 24th IEEE

International Conference on Advanced Information, (2012): 27-33

Nuno Santos. Krishna P. and Rodrigo R. “Towards Trusted Cloud Computing”. 2009.

Ajith S. N, M. Hemalatha. “Cloud computing for academic environment”. International

journal on ICT 2, 2012: 97-101.

Michael A., Randy K. and Matei Z. “Clearing the clouds away from the true potential and

obstacles posed by the cloud computing capability in A view of cloud computing”. An article

on communications of the ACM 53, no 4, 2010.

Thomas J. Betcher. “Key IT-related risks and mitigation strategies for consideration by IT

security practitioners”. A capstone report on cloud computing, 2010.

John F. G. Stephen M. and Anna T. “Cloud computing role in job creation”. In white paper

sponsored by Microsoft, 2012.

Michael A., Anthony D., H. Katz and Andrew K. “Above the Cloud in A Berkeley view of

cloud computing”. A technical report on cloud computing, 2009.

Q. Zhang, Lu Cheng and Raouf B. “Cloud computer in State of art the art and research

challenges”. An original paper on cloud computing, 2010.

Jie Liu, Michel G. Sean J. and Christian B. “The data furnace in heating up with cloud

computing”. A paper on cloud computing, 2010.

Siti M., Say Y. and Caroline C. “Cloud enterprise systems”. In a review of literature and its

adoption, 2012.

Mehmet F. and Serhat B. “cloud computing for distributed university campus”. A paper on

prototype suggestion, 2012.

Ajith S. and M. Hemalatha. “Comparative analysis of low latency on different bandwidth and

geographical locations while using cloud based applications”. International journal in

engineering and technology 2, no. 1 (2012): 392-400.

Zhang T. and Jiao L. “The research and application of network teaching platform based on

cloud computing”. International journal of information and education technology 1 no.

3(2011): 231-234.

Thomas B., John S. “Cloud Computing”. A collection of working papers by Deloitte, 2009.

Cloud security alliance. “Security guidance for critical areas of focus in cloud computing”.

http://www.cloudsecurityalliance.org/guidance/csaguide.pdf, 2012-08-09

ISACA. “Cloud Computing”. Business benefits with security, governance and Assurance

perspectives, 2009.

http://www.isaca.org/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Deliverables&Template=/

ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53044 2012-08-09

Hinchcliffe, D. “What does cloud computing actually cost?” An analysis of the top

Vendors, 2009.

http://www.ebizq.net/blogs/enterprise/2009/08/what_does_cloud_computing_actu.php