Definitions of cloud computing are easy to find, but a single, authoritative definition is hard to come by. Perhaps the best work in this area was done by Böhm, et al. By compiling characteristics of 17 different scholarly and industrial definitions, the authors identified five primary characteristics of cloud computing allowing a definition such as: "Cloud computing is a service that delivers scalable hardware and/or software solutions via the Internet or other network on a pay-per-usage basis." (Emphasis indicates essential definition elements). Cloud computing can further be broken down into three common types: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. SaaS (Software as a Service) allows users to log into and utilize preprogrammed software that is owned and maintained by the service provider. PaaS (Platform as a Service) gives users tools and languages owned and maintained by the s... (more)

OpenNebula 2012: A Year of Innovation in Open Source Cloud Computing

Time flies, and we are approaching the end of another successful year at OpenNebula!. We've had a lot to celebrate around here during 2012, including our fifth anniversary. We took that opportunity to look back at how the project has grown in the last five years. We are extremely happy with the organic growth of the project. It's five years old, it's parked in some of the biggest organizations out there, and that all happened without any investment in marketing, just offering the most innovative and flexible open-source solution for data center virtualization and enterprise cloud... (more)

Era of Analytic Applications – Part 1

I was talking to one of the prominent General Partners at a Venture Capital firm here in Silicon Valley over the holidays…discussing how the Cloud market is evolving. We both agreed that 2013 will mark yet another shift in the evolution of web applications. I personally simplified this view of cloud evolution by defining its progression in the following periods...dating back to these noteworthy events: ISP Era: Software Tool & Die is founded in 1989 ASP to SaaS Era: TeleComputing founder coins ASPs in 1996 IaaS & PaaS Era: Amazon EC2 is Launched in 2006 Analytics Application Er... (more)

Hewlett Packard: A Tale of Many Clouds

Hewlett Packard used its Discover event in Frankfurt last week to reassert the company’s cloud credentials. Public, private, hybrid; HP is painting pictures that encompass them all, whilst seeking to protect hardware revenues and reassure conservative executives at some of its largest and most profitable customers. But HP has been here before, making bold claims and telling people what they wanted to hear about an HP cloud upon which enterprises could depend. This time, will the company deliver? Earlier this year, satirical news site The Onion took a cruel but funny swipe at HP’... (more)

It’s a Wonderful Cloud-a Security Carol

Happy holidays to all of you and may the season keep your perimeters protected, your assets secure and your networks free of nasty little elves! Twas the night before Christmas and all through the net No access was stirring; No hackers as yet. Murphy in sales was showing his app Tweeting and downloading with only a tap I grumble and moan ‘cause I know it to be. That his iPhone and iPad was BYOD Then out on the site there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the help desk to see what was the matter. Without my UniSec dashboard, I would not know If the network alert meant friend or meant fo... (more)