Cloud Computing for SMBs : Path to the Cloud

In any case, the turn towards cloud for medium to small business means a change in the operating models; which we have discussed in the previous article on Cloud Computing for SMBs. But how that Cloud Computing for SMBs can be established flawlessly and what are the necessary steps to achieve that? Among the most important tasks for building a cloud, the needed changes include the following functional blocks :

• Pooling of IT resources into single pools : This is often spoken in terms of virtual data center. From these pools, the program runs at runtime when it needs resources. The virtual services access to the resources in the pool when they need server or storage. The pooling of IT resources in clouds is therefore a mandatory requirement.
• Encapsulation of applications into services : In place of the familiar applications such as Microsoft Exchange, the services such as a database or an e-mail service or a data provider is used. Here, the existing and known Server Functions are encapsulated in a service.
• Establishment of service templates to a service : If one does not afford, for example, an entirely e-mail service can be set up every time you use the templates. This simplifies the commissioning of a service tremendously. Whether the service templates are required for the medium sized business, depends on the amount of services required.
• Publishing the services in catalogs : Users of the services look for a service they need from the catalog, so-called library. To use the service, this also needs to be supplemented by the necessary runtime parameters.
• Automatic provisioning of services to the virtual servers : These virtual machines and applications from the specifications of the templates are automatically generated. There are a lot of tools to simplify the process.
• Other additional functions : Management tools for capacity planning, monitoring of SLAs, a resource-related billing, cash back and billing are the consumed resources needed to finally complete tool kit.

Cloud Computing for SMBs : Impact of Cloud on IT management

All the aforementioned changes in IT are not without effect on the tasks of the IT administration. The upcoming changes affect the server, the network and the data center infrastructure. From the procurement of equipment to installation, to monitoring the whole IT systems management tasks are all affected by the changes.

Existing processes and tools will be supported by new processes and the tools are replaced. The purchasing of physical servers, for example, is usually made based on the current model range of the manufacturer. Virtual servers in the cloud but are set up on existing systems. Purpose is to determine in advance the necessary system capacity to avoid potential performance bottlenecks – this is an important step we do for shifting to Cloud Computing for SMBs.

Cloud Computing for SMBs : Service Templates Instead of Deployment Tools

The tasks in the setup of a physical server involves setting up the operating system, service packs, the patches and installation of other software components. The software modules needed to be provided either from a CD / DVD, ISO image or a central image server. The setups can be manual or automated. The latter reduces the time required for the administrator. When using a cloud, there are new requirements. Even virtual servers can be turned to private cloud using the same traditional methods set, but this one gives away some of the benefits of virtualization technology . The techniques of server virtualization usually provide templates or image pools. These templates must be constructed in the first step. Then the individual server instances are derived from them. The server deployment tools often used in physical servers with their scripts to automate accounts, however, with cloud computing structures get a difference.

Monitoring of cloud services is mandatory

At run-time, for optimization of the cloud services, the market offers a variety of monitoring tools. These range from a simple ping to complex monitoring suites for the services provided. These monitoring tools often work with local agents on the monitored servers. Alternatively SNMP like agent-less server monitoring is possible to deploy.

But for more complex setup, more complex monitoring tools are necessary. All the tools and techniques for monitoring server can in principle also be used for cloud structures. But you should note that, the virtualization of servers ensures a high utilization of the host, which can sometimes lead to problems. An underutilized to 90 per cent host thereby more productive than a 20 percent non-virtualized server. From the standpoint of server utilization this is positive and desirable. At the same time it will also reduce the possible reserves for times of high load demand. Further, the virtual machines compete for the performance of the host. The ongoing monitoring of the systems are therefore essential.

Data Backup and Recovery

Physical servers connected often include local data which is written into the backup on tapes or disks. For this one, usually backup -agent on the servers are used. The agent must be coordinated with the locking system. Furthermore, it must receive sufficient resources to perform the backup in the specified time. In order not to interfere with the daily operation, the backup takes place mostly at night in the specially reserved time periods. Although by principle, the virtual server can be backed up by this method, but it will quickly become the bottleneck. If all virtual guests at the same perform the backup, the host is overloaded quickly. Here it is important to considerate and distribute the backup. Alternatively, provide a virtual infrastructure for the backup of the virtual machines from the host or storage system. The use of virtual systems, therefore, the assurance concepts are reconsidered. This applies equally to the use of memory subsystems which must also be specifically tailored to virtualized environments.

Cloud Computing for SMBs : Conclusion

Cloud computing is not limited to data centers and large enterprises. It can be used beneficially for small and medium businesses. Nevertheless, there are some important differences that you should absolutely consider. The basic techniques of cloud computing components such as virtualization, the deployment of services or the performance optimization can also used by a medium-sized company. Dedicated workflow, sophisticated service processes are not preferred for outsourcing to the cloud. In any case: the management and monitoring of cloud structure has the exact resemblance of traditional server management with only little in common. Over the years practicing work processes, technique, and tools will therefore have to adapted, because cloud computing requires dedicated management tools and related processes. This applies to redefine it in order to optimally integrate the applications or workflows in the cloud into the enterprise infrastructure.