Cloud Computing Services - Research Paper Example

CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud Computing Affiliation Table of Contents 2- Entry Price and Commitment of Contract 5 VM Processor to 4 vCPU 5 Virtual CPUs allocated to the virtual working and services. 5 $0.045 per vCPU per hour 5 VM Memory  1 to 16 GB 5 RAM assigned to cloud working and operations 5 $0.035/GB per hour 5 Storage  Up to 1 TB 5 System storage 5 $0.15/GB per month 5 File Share Storage  Limit up-to 16 TB 6 NFS and Network file system storage intended for one or more virtual machines. 6 $0.15/GB per month 6 Private Library Storage 6 Storage of client related virtual machine  templates and images. 6 $0.15/GB per month 6 Online web based  Data Transfer 7 Collective data and information transferred into and out of the compute network by means of Internet. 7 $0.10/GB 7 AT&T VPN  Data Transfer 7 Total data and information sent into and out of the compute arrangement by means of AT&T VPN service. 7 $0.10/GB 7 Other Private Networking 7 Dedicated private networking links into the compute arrangement, obtained as fraction of the communication network service. 7 No fee. 7 3- Potential financial benefits 7 4- Potential Time Benefits 9 5- Potential benefits due to "unlimited" capacity and flexibility of computing power. 10 6- Potential benefits due to the possibility of reduced elements of risk 11 7- Potential benefits due to the possibility of increased business opportunities 12 8- Potential risks and downsides of using this service and/or product 13 9- Concluding corporate profile summary points 14 10- Concluding business applications summary points 15 References 15 1- Description of Cloud Services The cloud computing is a newly emerged and most attractive information technology (IT) trend which ensures the implementation of the utility computing model broadly making use of the Virtualization technologies. Considering the many advantages of cloud computing, a large number of business organizations have started offering and making use of cloud-enabled architectures and services to support their business operations. In addition, the advancement of cloud computing has also created a wide variety of new opportunities and facilities to existing techniques and approaches to build up and change software intensive systems (Meng, Wang, Hu, & Li, 2011; Babar & Chauhan, 2011). This paper presents an analysis of cloud computing services and its value propositions in the context of a cloud computing vendor. In this scenario, I have chosen AT&T business for the analysis of their potential cloud services and value propositions. AT&T carries on quickly developing its cloud computing services to demonstrate characteristics similar to Amazon Web Services. Nowadays, it is proclaiming Synaptic-Compute-As-a-Service solutions. These solutions present processing a capability that can be used for “cloud-bursting” of in-house applications or for a testing and development technology based platform. Additionally, the cloud technology based service can be executed like a public cloud, or as a private cloud computing architecture on AT&T’s communication network based infrastructure, which will be linked to a client data center through AT&T’s network (Bradley, 2009; Data Center Knowledge, 2009). In addition, this innovative solution expands AT&T’s cloud computing portfolio, which as well comprises AT&T Synaptic web based hosting: basically a completely controlled hosting species presenting cloud technologies based solutions as well as Synaptic-Storage-As-a-Service. Additionally, by providing computer services and storage, AT&T desires to control its recognizable brand as well as communication network to compete with corporations searching for a comfort level using cloud computing (Bradley, 2009; Data Center Knowledge, 2009). Moreover, the AT&T’s cloud computing based service, which is known as AT&T Synaptic-Computer-Services, offers on-demand CaaS or computing-as-a-service. Additionally, the cloud structure of AT&T technology is based on the Sun Open Cloud Platform as well as making use of Sun Cloud APIs in combination with a VMware virtual architecture. In this scenario, the AT&T communication cloud is a great deal more similar to the Amazon presenting a self-service web based portal that facilitates customers to have computing control or storage capacity on the fly (Bradley, 2009; Data Center Knowledge, 2009). Figure 1Cloud at AT&T, Image Source: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/01/attces0084-1326131419.jpg 2- Entry Price and Commitment of Contract At the present, cloud computing services have transferred capital tools and equipment assets of the corporate financial balance sheet, allowing them to consider a monthly expenditure item. However, as compared to a capital cost, it is not a continuous commitment that we will need to turn the service off or on all the time. In addition, AT&T Cloud computing services ease the pressure of disbursing for assets by making a bet on business expansion to offset expenses. In addition, they have the inference out of potential planning to evade expenditures over provisioning and hazardous under provisioning. Moreover, with very simple and easy to manage plans of pay-as-you-go AT&T cloud services, IT operating expenditures support a wide variety of operational business tasks (ATT, 2012). Table1 outlines some of the major cost plans of AT&T’s Cloud computing services. In this scenario, the given table presents all the AT&T Cloud computing services and operational services based on processing and storage capacities: Table 1Plans and Cloud Services, Table Source: https://www.synaptic.att.com/clouduser/compute_pricing.htm AT& Cloud Components Description Fees VM Processor  1 to 4 vCPU Virtual CPUs allocated to the virtual working and services. $0.045 per vCPU per hour VM Memory  1 to 16 GB RAM assigned to cloud working and operations $0.035/GB per hour Storage  Up to 1 TB System storage $0.15/GB per month However, additional storage even more than the AT&T Cloud computing services and allocated virtual machine system storage can also be purchased. In this scenario, the cloud based file sharing storage is available as NFS (or network file system) storage, can be planned to a particular virtual machine or joint among a number of virtual machines inside a single AT&T Synaptic-Compute-As-a-Service-Environment: (AT&T, 2012) Table 2 Plans and Cloud Services with respect to storage, Table Source: https://www.synaptic.att.com/clouduser/compute_pricing.htm Storage Options Description Fee File Share Storage  Limit up-to 16 TB NFS and Network file system storage intended for one or more virtual machines. $0.15/GB per month Private Library Storage Storage of client related virtual machine  templates and images. $0.15/GB per month AT&T Cloud computing services data access rates are outlined in the below given table: (AT&T, 2012) Table 3Table 1Plans and Cloud Services with respect to Access Type, Table Source: https://www.synaptic.att.com/clouduser/compute_pricing.htm Access Type Description Fee Online web based  Data Transfer Collective data and information transferred into and out of the compute network by means of Internet. $0.10/GB AT&T VPN  Data Transfer Total data and information sent into and out of the compute arrangement by means of AT&T VPN service. $0.10/GB Other Private Networking Dedicated private networking links into the compute arrangement, obtained as fraction of the communication network service. No fee. 3- Potential financial benefits This section outlines some of the major financial benefits of AT&T Cloud computing services: Reduction in labor costs: AT&T cloud computing services decrease the labor costs for the reason that after implementation of such technology based arrangement; there is no more need for high cost of personnel essential to manage and handle the data center (IBM, 2009; IBM, 2012; Georgia Technology Authority, 2012; Zielenziger, 2012). Figure 2Cloud Services by AT &T, Image Source: http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/en_US/images/businessCenter/body/ATT_Office_at_Hand_illustrationv2.jpg Reduction in high energy consumption: The effective implementation of AT&T cloud computing services can potentially reduce the power and cooling costs that are required for data centers. In this scenario, skyrocketed energy consumption (800% since 1996) can potently reduce to very low levels (up to 20%) (IBM, 2009; IBM, 2012; Georgia Technology Authority, 2012; Zielenziger, 2012). Managing growing demands of users: AT&T Cloud computing services are also able to effectively deal with the growing demands of users. In fact, these services allow us to improve the storage, processing, applications and tools support according to our needs (IBM, 2009; IBM, 2012; Georgia Technology Authority, 2012; Zielenziger, 2012). Rising growth in data volume: AT&T Cloud computing services also offer a great deal of support for the management of rising growth of the data volumes. These services offer an excellent support for the management of storage and memory management areas (IBM, 2009; IBM, 2012; Georgia Technology Authority, 2012; Zielenziger, 2012). 4- Potential Time Benefits AT&T cloud computing services also offer a number of benefits related to time. In this scenario, possible time related benefits that AT&T cloud computing services offer can include the quick modification of business functions, training of staff with new technology based system and less time to implement, etc. In view of the fact that the deployment and procurement takes more time and ties up inner corporate staff members, however with self-service support and provisioning, we can be able to sign-up tap and online into virtual AT&T arrangements inside minutes (AT&T, 2012; ATT, 2012; IBM, 2009). In addition, we have condition once and energetically scale down or up. In this scenario, we are able to launch new applications, services and projects quickly and can get access, support and high performance on demand, as we observe and check consumption through a web-based portal (AT&T, 2012; ATT, 2012; IBM, 2009). Moreover, AT&T cloud computing services also improve the overall performance by offering fast technology based transformation. This transformation takes place through automated provisioning that can take the complexity and time out of service. In this scenario, a self-service online web based portal offers a wide variety of standard server characteristics that need small or no additional configuration. In fact, we are able to establish and implement a devoted server atmosphere over the Internet within just 2 to 4 hours (AT&T2, 2012). Here is the procedure behind the AT&T cloud computing technology based services: we need to choose the multi-core operating system, hardware and processor we need to select other technology based standard configuration alternatives from hard drives, RAM, bandwidth, storage to database, storage and security solutions (AT&T2, 2012). 5- Potential benefits due to "unlimited" capacity and flexibility of computing power. AT&T cloud computing services offer a number of benefits through unlimited capacity of computing power. In fact, the cloud services offered by AT&T renovate and improve business performance by means of new and more enhanced technology based services. Without a doubt, enterprise technology developers are always looking for ways to enhance and re-engineer business procedures independent software vendor (or an ISV) desiring to revitalize their bottom line working, improving capability of application development and application that is more and more critical to business accomplishment. However, we can complete all these tasks using AT&T’s technology based Platform-as-a-Service. In this scenario, these services offer a comprehensive development atmosphere to construct and launch custom business management applications rapidly, execute them consistently and manage and maintain them simply across the entire application development lifecycle. Additionally, as an AT&T cloud computing service, AT&T Platform-as-a-Service is able to as well offer a high performance that a business needs along with the low cost per-user (ATT3, 2012). In addition, as a completely controlled application platform and with effectively designed, executed and combined software systems and databases in the cloud, AT&T technology based Platform-as-a-Service as well offers the following capabilities: (ATT3, 2012) With AT&T cloud based application platform, extended deployment and development lifecycles can be an activity of the past. AT&T cloud virtualized and scalable arrangement of tools and database servers AT&T cloud ensures a great deal of reliability, performance and security of the AT&T network Effective server, network, and storage management and maintenance AT&T cloud offers 24x7x365 technology based infrastructure monitoring and support AT&T cloud also offers built-in security and redundancy of AT&T Internet data centers 6- Potential benefits due to the possibility of reduced elements of risk Cloud based security capabilities from AT&T are able to facilitate us with a screen inbound email designed for online filter, malicious attacks and encrypt outbound email to facilitate and save our sensitive data, and get email data to convene legal and authoritarian requirements. In this scenario, we are able to enhance corporate productivity through AT&T cloud computing services by having improved productivity and minimizing the risks of malware and hacking by stopping staff members from accessing to both unsuitable and insecure websites. Additionally, cloud local firewalls ensure the security of our corporate data and information. It also allows us to protect remote as well as mobile organization workforce and endpoints. As a result, securing our organizational technology based resources as well as workers’ data that is a main concern of the AT&T Corporation (ATT4, 2012; Ribeiro, 2012; Taylor, 2012). In addition, technology developed by AT&T cloud computing services will dynamically assign networking technology based resources to corporate computing resources, and as a result allowing both to scale or contract jointly when necessary. Other characteristics of the innovative cloud service comprise customization alternatives to convene client requirements, more than seventy automated built-in corporate network security processes, and security improved to wireless and wired devices those are legal to the client’s virtual private communication network (Ribeiro, 2012; SYS-CON Media, 2008; Taylor, 2012). 7- Potential benefits due to the possibility of increased business opportunities AT&T cloud computing services offer an excellent support as they bring a number of business opportunities. In this scenario, they allow client organizations to better expand its markets or better serve and lock in its customers, whether it is initiating a new application or dealing with new clients, business or geographies schemes. Additionally, AT&T’s new technology based cloud computing services offered a ready-made hosted technology based arrangements which are able to facilitate us in a better way. In addition, AT&T new technology based cloud computing services offer following major advantages: (White, 2011; DALLAS and ARMONK, 2012) Avoid procurement interruptions Decrease capital expenses Improve the capability of deployment and provisioning Free staff from extended new technology based application cycles React rapidly to the requirements of the company Improved computing offer: Among a wide variety of innovative characteristics, clients are able to currently more simply bind their cloud computing arrangements to AT&Ts superlative communication network, producing a virtual private cloud setting that carries computing technology based services on-demand as well as helps minimize information technology costs (White, 2011; DALLAS and ARMONK, 2012). Improved Storage Offer: AT&T cloud computing services offer improved cloud-based storage capabilities better features that facilitate corporations to convene corporate authority as well as compliance with the requirements (White, 2011; DALLAS and ARMONK, 2012). Cloud Computing based Mobile Application: A new mobile application allows us to expand AT&Ts cloud computing potentials to clients on the go who want to store and access content distantly in an extremely protected manner (White, 2011; DALLAS and ARMONK, 2012). AT&T cloud computing services offer an excellent support for dealing with threats and vulnerabilities that offer a self-governing baseline and corroboration of the business’s data and information security posture. In this scenario, AT&T Consulting presents a complete and superlative set of vulnerability evaluation and penetration technology based system testing services (ATT5, 2012). 8- Potential risks and downsides of using this service and/or product This section presents an analysis of some of the major risk related aspects of AT&T cloud computing services: One of the major risks in case of AT&T cloud computing services is that this solution cannot convene its corporate economic objectives. For this purpose, we need to carry out a detailed short term and long term return on investment analysis. Additionally, some of the major issues to consider while reviewing cloud return on investment risk likelihood comprise speed, utilization, quality and scale. These aspects are considered for most of the return on investment models, as well as have serious impacts on the asset, income, cost, and time to revisit (McKendrick, 2011; Overby, 2011). In addition, the technology based solutions offered by AT&T can be hard to build up because of the complexity of putting together the cloud technology based services concerned. According to various researches, there is a risk that it will not be feasible to put together cloud services with the existing systems and with each other. In fact, this risk is serious; if systems are not developed, they cannot be used. In this scenario, the service integration risk can be evaluated by recognizing interface transfers cost, capability to alter the on hand system, and available skills. Moreover, a disaster can take place from which the technology based solution cannot help us to recover. In fact, along with the common chaos, it can be a company "disaster" like that contract terminations or bankruptcies on the part of cloud suppliers (McKendrick, 2011; Overby, 2011). 9- Concluding corporate profile summary points This paper has presented a detailed analysis of some of the important aspects of AT&T cloud computing services. This research has covered various aspects related to services, quality, pricing and management of the AT&T cloud computing services. This research has also outlined some of the major benefits, and issues regarding implementation of such technology based systems. This research shows that the implementation of cloud computing arrangement in an organization offers an excellent support, improves business performance, and helps reduce cost, reduces energy dilatation and minimizes human resource costs. AT&T cloud computing services are trying to offer high quality services and support capabilities. These all initiatives will collectively add to the corporate performance and support. 10- Concluding business applications summary points Up till now we have discussed a wide variety of applications of AT&T’s cloud services. These services are best for those companies that want to minimize their expenditures. In this way, they can invest this money on other business operations. In addition, educational institutions can also adopt these services. These services are easy to use and affordable so any business that is interested in saving money can use these services in this way they can reduce IT resources (human as well as machines). References AT&T. (2012). Compute as a Servicesm Pay-Per-Use Pricing. Retrieved October 15, 2012, from https://www.synaptic.att.com/clouduser/compute_pricing.htm AT&T2. (2012). AT&T Cloud Architect. Retrieved October 15, 2012, from http://www.business.att.com/content/productbrochures/pb-cloud-architect.pdf ATT. (2012). Cloud Services. 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