Advancements in Communications The Use of Cloud Computing - Research Paper Example

Advancements in Communications: The Use of Cloud Computing Introduction In the past few, there have emerged a large number of innovations in the field of communications. There are modern tools and technologies which are increasingly being used in order to support all kinds of communications. This paper discusses the use of the cloud computing in communication. Basically, the term ‘cloud computing’ refers to the application of a cloud image to correspond to the internet or some huge networked setting. In other words, cloud computing is a standard term for anything that engages offering hosted tools and services on the internet (TechTarget; Hartig). This paper will discuss various concepts of communication and its emerging factors in cloud environment. This paper will also outline the implications of cloud computing in communications. Cloud Computing and Communications Cloud computing is one of the emerging concepts in telecom sector. In addition, cloud computing has successfully changed the dimensions of communication (Weiss; Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). In today’s global world where new standards and technologies are offered and changed everyday each and every organization is trying its level best to make use of cloud computing. Additionally, the idea of cloud computing is already adopted in various fields. According to a research, cloud environment will be adopted in a large number of corporations and enterprises in upcoming years. In fact, cloud computing is already been adopted in various sectors such as communication and information technology which resulted in significant growth and profit generation (Phukan). In this way the telecom sector is much energized about the scenario of cloud environment. In addition, the telecom sector will acquire numerous competitive advantages from networking operations along with modern technological aspects. Hence it will become easy for them to play an imperative role in the rapid growing world of cloud computing environment (Phukan). Cloud computing generally offers a lot of convincing benefits for common users and organizations that used it, such as it is useful in many ways. It facilitates organizations with the cost of operations performed reduced capital and scalability according to our demands. So we are in right opinion towards business concerning matters to take full fledging advantage of the on-going computing resources and services according to our demands, collectively known as “the cloud”. Without a doubt, Cisco is a leading network oriented company is working with other industry leaders on joint venture to develop and expand protocols and standards that are useful in transformation of the long-term vision the Inter-Cloud form, today into reality. If the Cisco joint venture happens then it will make considerable changes in the cloud environment, further than the technology directions must change in this regard. The IT related organizations, and how IT (information technology) mechanism with various business units, have to acclimatize as well, or organizations would not achieve what they desire from the cloud computing (Nations; Ingthorsson). If we research the Cloud Computing like both a service delivery model and technology concept, particularly according to its networking point of view, and also its various implications indeed. We already have studied the existing and promising technologies related to networks usually used in the Cloud computing, either in internal level or in external, it may include various aspects that correspond to WAN (wide area network) technologies as well as Data hub/centre interconnections. If we analyze the both Long-distance interconnections (MAN and WAN), the overall spectrum between information centers are visibly based on IP (internet protocol) standards that are used over the ATM (auto transit machine), Ethernet, SDH/ SONET and further recently, on MPLS with QoS as well as interconnection that have local capabilities. If we need high bandwidth in addition to ultra low latency, we have to use Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) that appears to be exceptionally capable and promising as a future high performance wide area network (WAN convey technology which is mainly used for transportation in between, due to its challenging capabilities of multiplexing that are required in multiple visual/optical signals, however, being protocol along with bit rate that is autonomous. Furthermore, towards the horizon of cloud computing, advanced WAN network technologies are tranquil on the investigate/research stage, including the idea which is known as Lambda networking .moreover, lambda networking promises high capacity circuits and low cost in extensive haul along with metro systems (Nations; Ingthorsson). It is an admitted fact that within data centers, nevertheless, where the system servers, network nodes/elements and storage systems are interconnected with each other; there are three LAN network technologies which are as follows: (Nations; Ingthorsson) Ethernet Fiber Channel Inifi Band At the present, when we talk about the concept of cloud computing along with associated ideas that are establishing most of solutions by third party that is interconnected with the internet. At this time, Ethernet is the most commonly used technology. However, a vital trend nowadays is to arrange 10 Gb Ethernet also abbreviated as (10GBE) along with equipment and networks that are useful in enhancing the Ethernet’s capability and capacity towards its support for additional traffic patterns. Whereas, Fiber Channel is referred as standard communication protocol which is embedded on most of the hardware and software devices is mostly used in storage area networks (SAN) and scientific computing whereas Inifi Band architecture which is a switched fabric communication link used for high performance in data centers is entirely deployed within engineering models as well as in scientific simulation networks. The best example to define it is clustered servers (Nations; Ingthorsson). Significant Factors We can examine numerous opportunities of cloud environment in telecom corporations with various factors. Therefore, we focus more on those factors that are helpful in making communication an important player in this rising domain. In this way our involvement is dual in nature that includes two aspects: (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam) The first aspect is to indentify major technological and financial aspects that are related to the telecom’s competitive position in the cloud computing marketplace (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). The second most important aspect deals with recognizing the future situations on the basis of which communication will establish its position in the marketplace (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). Major aspects of Cloud Computing There are various aspects of cloud computing which are necessary to make telecom sector more productive. These 3 aspects facilitate customers in reference of cloud environment. This thing includes various critical factors: Software as a Service (SaaS) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Platform as a Ser v ice (PaaS) However, the network service providers might facilitate regarding connectivity related issues in a cloud landscape. In this way a numbers of communication applications will be moved to the infrastructure that meets the criteria of cloud computing environment. But those who will not be able to shift will be delivered as Software as a Service that is usually abbreviated as (SaaS). In this scenario, the adoption of cloud environment in telecomm sector will benefit telecomm corporations and their operators. Thus this advance technological aspect will be helpful in developing vendors’ controlled services; in fact it is beneficial for those clouds operators that do not want to make investment for running their cloud operations (Gabrielsson, Hubertsson and Mas). In addition, the internet protocol (IP) communications along with componentized environment of the software products that are used by service providers is perfect one for cloud environment. As we know that promising technologies of service architectures like IP multimedia subsystems that is abbreviated as (IMS) as well as next generation networks that is abbreviated as (NGN) will facilitate in strengthening their position in this advanced era of computing (Phukan; Villegas, Antoniou and Sadjadi). According to analysts and observers, the communication will be improved a lot in the cloud computing environment. In this scenario, a current description by telecom analysis’s and consulting corporations Ovum pointed out that the worldwide telecomm major aspects similar to BT, AT&T, Verizon Business and Orange Business Services might acquire a huge share of the cloud computing pie by providing information technology firms a run for their money (Phukan). Examples We have a number of examples that show significant importance of cloud environment in communication. As we can illustrate Deutsche Communication network for this purpose. This telecomm company has recently declared the significance of cloud computing environment as one of its most important development area. We cannot lemmatize the usage of cloud environment in communication sector in just only one example although we have numerous examples of communication players like Vodafone, AT& and Telephonic are getting higher due to cloud computing business. No doubt, this progress shows that cloud computing endows with considerable business opportunities in telecom sector (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). Prospects & Opportunities An additional considerable opportunity from the cloud environment is enormous although this aspect has brought innovative revenue flow in communication. Additionally, the clouds will significantly enhance network traffic as well as utilization and consequently transport revenues. There are also various critical challenges for the service providers for profit generation. In this way cloud environment suggest a means of distribution of resources like software, hardware along with data on-demand to users. Consequently various services are offered by cloud based environment. This includes aspects like safety measures, storage space, computing resources in addition to system oriented services for enterprises applications. In this way, the service enablers of telecom sector are also looking internally for optimization of different Information Technological estates, and information centers that comprised of numerous stacks to a virtualization model, therefore bringing opex reduction too (Phukan). Additionally one more area of communication that is considered as an extremely cost-effective in the cloud environment is billing. According to various statistical reports, researchers and analysts say that, rapid enhancement in worldwide telecom cloud environment and its billing reserves produced approximately $15 million in 2008 and $350 million is expected in 2013. According to this report there is an interesting pronouncement which is defined as: “the rising telecom cloud billing applications are much smaller and lighter investments, mostly in contrast with legacy telecom related billing applications or platforms”. Hence these judgments will boos-up the new and well established telecom firms, in addition to will also facilitate cost effective clarifications and services (Phukan; Zhan and Sun; Yang). Mobile applications and cloud computing It has been reported by Industry experts that mobile networks will play a most important role in enhancing the cloud computing ahead of its core enterprise market. In the developed marketplaces, cellular phone cloud computing will provide communication providers along with their business associates additional options for initiation of services. In addition, there is one more area of expansion for mobile applications in cloud that is in various cellular applications, developers are gradually more adopting cloud computing environment due to the partial processing power with battery life of cellular devices and the low-bandwidths of mobile application. Furthermore, cloud computing facilitates in expanding processing power, hence cellular applications might be use for sharing, collaboration, remote access etc (Phukan). Technical factors There are two significant technical factors that make cloud computing attractive for communication. Firstly, communications firms already own the most of the infrastructure and services that is essential for cloud computing services (e.g. datacenters, networks, technical expertise) (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). Second aspect is that in communications incumbents have advantages over recognized cloud providers such as Amazon and Google, due to their capability to manage the whole cloud computing value chain (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam). Risks Various risks are involved in cloud environment when dealing with communication. As we know that cloud computing is still at its emerging stage. Thus, there are various difficulties and implications linked with the cloud, some of the important risks are outlined below: (Koehler, Kraemer and Anandasivam; Phukan) Security is a most important concern of the enterprises. However we can avoid from such security concerns by adopting security solutions to ward off some sort of breaches and threats. Another aspect is the development of industry-wide actions for the establishment of good practices which might act as standards. While discussing numerous aspects related to cellular technology connectivity as well as speed is major concern. Conclusion In the past few years, we have seen massive developments in the area of communications at every level. There have emerged new ways and techniques to support these communications in the 21st century. This paper has presented a detailed discussion on the use of cloud computing environment for supporting communications. Communications service providers and enablers are looking toward the cloud environment for transformation of infrastructure into cloud that is valuable for reducing internal computing resource. In this way we can reduce internal expenses but also raise revenue; therefore it's a cost-effective and no loss circumstances for the telecom service providers. Works Cited Gabrielsson, Jan, et al. Cloud computing in telecom. 23 June 2010. 12 June 2013 . Hartig, Kevin. What is Cloud Computing? 13 December 2009. 11 June 2013 . Houatra, Drissa. Cloud computing and telecom networks. 2011. 12 June 2013 . Ingthorsson, Olafur. Networking technologies in Cloud Computing. 2010. 04 June 2013 . Koehler, Philip, Jan Kraemer and Arun Anandasivam. "Cloud Computing: New Business Opportunities for Communications Companies?" 21st European Regional ITS Conference. Copenhagen, 2010. 1-3. Nations, Daniel. What is Cloud Computing? 2011. 09 June 2013 . Phukan, Kaushik. Telecom Service Providers Walk in the Clouds . 14 February 2011. 12 June 2013 . TechTarget. Cloud Computing. 28 December 2007. 06 June 2013 . Villegas, David, et al. "An Analysis of Provisioning and Allocation Policies for Infrastructure-as-a-Service Clouds." CCGRID '12 Proceedings of the 2012 12th IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Cluster, Cloud and Grid Computing (ccgrid 2012). Ottawa, ON: IEEE Computer Society Washington, 2012. 612-619. Weiss, A. "Computing in the Clouds." ACM Networker Volume 11, Issue 4 (2007): 18-25. Yang, Sharon Q. "Move into the Cloud, shall we?" Library Hi Tech News 29.1 (2012): 4-7. Zhan, Ying and Yong Sun. 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