I think that cloud computing is going to be ‘the way ahead’ for most businesses and individuals in the coming year or two. It makes a lot of sense.
However, right now, in 2008, I think it’s a very brave person who would entrust their business data to one of the thousands of micro-businesses offering ‘cloud computing’ services.
Why?
‘The cloud’ is actually just a server in someone’s building at another location. There are new, small businesses coming up every day offering us a cloud computing facility – may of whom will not even be trading in 12 months. Remember, over 50% of new businesses cease trading within the initial 12 months!
What happens to our data if they go broke and their servers are snatched back by their creditors? What about the security of your data – when the cloud provider no longer owns the servers?
Another common problem with the initial raft of cloud server services is scaling. New 2.0 businesses tend to grow too fast. They quickly get too many people storing too much data – which is being uploaded and downloaded too frequently and BOOM – it all grinds to a halt. So, there you are about to give a presentation to a major client, when you log on to download your snazzy presentation from ‘the cloud’ and nothing happens! Even Twitter, with all its millions of VC funding find itself ‘broken’ at some point most days!
I think cloud computing WILL be totally dominant by 2009, but I think it’s best to wait until the market is better established before storing anything mission-critical on ‘the cloud.’
What do you think?
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I couldn’t agree more for businesses with either sensitive data or needs for comprehensive monitoring. I’ve actually been arguing this for some time. There are many key problems that need to be solved here: how are everything from identities to virtual machine contents protected from prying eyes when the travel the network at a torrid pace.
The question I am using as my litmus test for when cloud computing becomes truly mainstream is “would I trust my bank to put my accounts into the cloud”. Today, the answer to that is a resounding “no!”
I forgot to mention: I am, however, all for organizations creating private clouds within their own firewalls until the technologies on the Internet mature a bit.
Hi James,
Thanks for the comments.
I especially like your litmus test question – very good! I too would feel extremely uncomfortable with my banking data in the cloud right now.
JC
I agree with you to a point JC. However, I think if you entrust your services with the likes of Amazon then you can’t go far wrong.
We’ve recently had to move our ‘cloud’ away from a UK provider, because we were simply taking down their system and highlighted a number of bugs. But fortunately our code was designed to ensure we weren’t tied to a single provider.
Thats the key to the success. Always assume the power will go off. So backup all your data continually. Especially true for Amazon!
But cloud computing is here for 2008 and it can be relied on, but you have to take all the usual necessary precautions and simply can’t throw out all the rules we’ve been playing by for over 20 years just because we are buying per-CPU now instead of per rack height.
Hi Alan,
You make some good points there. I agree; “always assume the power will go off! Back up your data!”
That’s about as good as IT advice gets.
Hello Allan,
All valid points. Especially the below quoted one is very valid.
“Always assume the power will go off. So backup all your data continually. Especially true for Amazon!”
But i also want to highlight the good side of utility computing here. Though utility computing may not be suitable for general purpose or data critical applications at this point in time but, It is very useful for computing intensive applications which has a definite state. A classic example could be our “Payroll experience with AWS”.
I believe that the utility computing has given enormous power interms of computing and we should reap the benifit appropriately.