Caution

Here’s a cautionary tale of what can happen when your connection to that data is pulled because of accusations that you violated Terms of Service.

Google Apps user Dylan M. was a happy user (and evangelist it seems) of numerous Google services — until the company disabled his Google account.

On July 15 he received an automated message telling him that Google had ‘perceived a violation’ and since then hasn’t been able to access anything linked to that account. Monopoly vehemently denies claims that he did anything wrong and says that he “did not violate any Terms of Service, either Google’s or account specific ToS” and that Google hasn’t offered up any evidence to support its claim of a violation.

So how much data did Monopoly lose when Google pulled the plug on his account? A mindbogglingly scary amount:

I had spent maybe four months slowly consolidating my entire online presence, email accounts, banking info, student records, etc, into that one Google account, having determined it to be reliable. That means in terms of information, approximately 7 years of correspondence, over 4,800 photographs and videos, my Google Voice messages, over 500 articles saved to my Google Reader account for scholarship purposes.

I have lost all of my bookmarks, having used Google bookmarks.

I have also lost access to my Docs account with shared documents and backups of inventory files. I have also lost my Calendar access. With this I have lost not only my own personal calendar of doctors appointments, meetings, and various other dates, but I have also lost collaborative calendars, of which I was the creator and of which several man hours were put into creating, community calendars that are now lost.

I have also lost my saved maps and travel history. I have also lost in my correspondence medical records and a variety of very important notes that were attached to my account. My website, a blogger account for which I purchased the domain through Google and designed myself, has also been disabled and lost.

You can read the rest of Monopoly’s letter to Google here.

Monopoly has made numerous attempts to contact Google, all of which have so far been unsuccessful.

hybrid-Cloud-Computing

written by Gwen Davis of Web Hosting Search

2011 showed us that the cloud is here to stay but for those who are cloud host skeptics there is a massive growth in hybrid cloud computing to help you test the waters. So what is hybrid cloud computing?

Hybrid clouds is a combination of private and public (or cloud) networking, in which information technology functions are split and shared between in-house and outsourced computers. In reality, almost everyone who uses the Internet can be said to be taking advantage of hybrid cloud computing at some level.

For instance, anyone who uses social media platforms, is outsourcing storage and organization of their data to the computers and data centers of the social media site, while using their own computers to store and edit their own documents and photos, even if they will eventually be uploaded to their social media platforms.

Setting aside that fact though, what Hybrids does the current market offer?

Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Computing

On an enterprise level, hybrid cloud computing usually means something very similar – use of a public outsourced cloud to provide computing power and functionality that are too expensive to develop in-house, or which by necessity must be shared, while storing sensitive data on its own computers and storage media.

Access to the cloud is controlled in-house via a virtual interface that allows rapid and easy access to the outsourced functionality, so that users are able to work from any remote location with a secure Internet connection.

Software as a Service and Hybrid Cloud Computing

An example of hybrid cloud computing is software-as-a-service (SaaS), where costly software is accessed on a shared server that is controlled by the software provider. SaaS clients pay only for the amount and type of access they need, and the software remains on the provider’s computers even if data which is processed by it is downloaded to the in-house computer or network storage device for security and future reference.

Even security solutions are being offered in a hybrid cloud format. The security program and threat databases stored on the public cloud are downloaded or otherwise deployed on private networks and computers which are subscribed to the security updates offered by these providers.

Hybrid Cloud Computing for Development

Often, a developer of sophisticated applications needs access to programs and other resources which are extremely expensive or otherwise hard to obtain. In addition, he needs a public environment where clients can easily and quickly access the applications which he develops for them.

Therefore, a hybrid cloud atmosphere, in which the basic tools are stored on his own computer or network along with unfinished work or work that does not need server access, whereas specialized resources which he needs are accessed via a public cloud, is ideal.

Then, once the applications are ready, a client can be given access to them on the cloud, especially if that client also does not have the resources necessary to run or test those applications.

Hybrid Cloud Computing for Web Hosting

A new concept which mirrors hybrid cloud computing is hybrid hosting. Hybrid hosting is when a dedicated server is partnered with access to cloud server hosting in order to create a managed server hosting package that maintains the advantages of a dedicated server while harnessing the power of the cloud.

For example, the dedicated server can store and serve the website under regular conditions, but in the event of traffic peaks that require additional disk space, memory or bandwidth, the cloud servers can provide the necessary resources on an ad hoc basis, and then cease to provide the extra resources when they are no longer needed.

Alternately, the cloud server can store backups and archives, leaving the main dedicated server free of any files that are not needed to run the site on a regular basis.

The Hybrid Choice: More About It and Why It Works for the Market

All in all, clear indicators have shown that hybrid cloud computing has the formidable presence of conquering the market where it is now becoming more and more common.

These indicators are summarized as follows:

1. It is a more practical model, considering how you can customize the resources between on-premise infrastructure, which typically becomes a white elephant for being unscalable, with public cloud environments that’s deployable. You simply place the applications and data on optimal platforms, then extend the analytical processing between them saving you from the tedious task of migration.
2. It showcases the best of both worlds. By playing on the strengths of two established platforms, dedicated of the past and cloudy of the future, hybrids present a good grasp of familiarity on what essentially should be kept local and innovation with what can be processed remotely.
3. Hybrid computing directly addresses the issues and concerns of the “Cloud Hosting Debate” by empowering the user with more security and control over the new evolution of cloud, drawing less resistance and a better utilization of what it is that the cloud can truly offer.

US Government Seal

Were there ever a near-ideal case study demonstrating the merits of cloud computing, the United States government would provide exhibit 1A.

Since moving portions of the national data infrastructure to the cloud, federal chief information officer Vivek Kundra says the government has saved $3 billion in less than five months.

This and other IT streamlining initiatives continue accumulating savings according to Kundra, who made his comments April 12 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ panel on federal financial management.

Cloud computing is a keystone of his 25-point IT reform plan announced in December 2010. Kundra initiated a “cloud first” policy as a part of the plan. Federal technology spending is now costing taxpayers an estimated $80 billion annually. Kundra has stated approximately $20 billion in technology spending could be moved to the cloud.

“The culture in government historically has been that the government must build its own infrastructure; it must own the software development,” Kundra stated in his testimony. “One of the reasons we’re shifting to the cloud-first policy, essentially, is to move away from this philosophy of asset ownership to service provisioning.”

Moving the General Services Administration (GSA) alone should save taxpayers an estimated $1.7 billion annually in computing costs, according to testimony from GSA associate administrator David McClure in that same hearing. He says since moving to the cloud, the agency is more nimble and responsive.

The agency’s website, for example, can be updated in hours instead of months, which also enables staff to work on tasks other than site maintenance. The GSA and United States Department of Agriculture are saving an additional $40 million by shifting those agencies’ e-mail services to the cloud.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which moved to a cloud-based application to manage its spending, cut its costs by 60 percent. The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board have saved $750,000 by moving to Amazon Web Services’ cloud-computing infrastructure; a move started in May 2010.

Another part of the IT reform plan charged federal agencies with identifying three systems they must move to the cloud. Seventy-five computer systems can be moved to privately-owned data clouds, resulting in even more savings on infrastructure and maintenance, Kundra said. Other IT workflow efficiencies are creating even more savings.

The feds will realize another reduction in IT spending when 100 data centers nationwide are closed this year. These data centers have reportedly been made obsolete by the move to the cloud. The government has an ultimate goal of shuttering 800 data centers by 2015.

Despite this progress, a recent survey of federal IT workers and private businesses about the merits of the 25-point-plan found that the cloud-first aspect ranked the lowest among the various points. The survey was conducted by MeriTalk, which is a privately-owned government IT social network.

In his testimony before the Senate subcommittee, Steve O’Keeffe, founder of MeriTalk, explained that “the evolutionary, nurturing, and easy to understand points score best” among those polled. “The most revolutionary initiative – Cloud First – rated lowest,” O’Keeffe continued. “Data center consolidation hit roughly in the middle of the pack. …

I would note that cloud and data center consolidation are the brains and stomach of this 25 Point Plan. Considering options for simplification and prioritization, OMB might want to focus hardest on these programs – they offer the highest [return on investment for the government.”

Linda Dailey Paulson is a science and tech journalist with a passion for cloud computing and b2b integration.

To the IT fraternity, it’s the biggest thing since portable hard-drives.

Cloud computing – the industry darling that allows an organisation to run all its applications through a traditional corporate data centre. Aimed at improving systems, cutting costs and making data storage and access far easier to scale, the cloud has grown from simply being a promising business concept to one of the fastest growing segments of the IT industry.

Kobi Korsah, Product Marketing Director of CA, estimates around one-third of Europe’s online population currently accesses banking services – and mobile banking will reach one billion people by 2015.

“As more sophisticated services, channels and delivery models proliferate, so business services must be seamlessly delivered,” says Korsah.

“Forecasts for the future of IT appear to be ‘cloudy with a chance of services’. Hence the quest for clarity of cloud-derived service management is understandable. Cloud computing with its various derivatives and models presents a number of challenges. For example, who will be in charge of, and accountable for, which bits of the evolved service model?”

Responsibility for helping businesses achieve positive business outcomes – and for ensuring that customer experiences are consistently good – falls squarely on the head of the IT team, says Korsah.

“This requires that revenue generating applications and IT infrastructure are highly available and perform, regardless of the degree to which they utilise external resources. As a result, any service providers engaged by business must have a framework for agreeing and guaranteeing acceptable levels of service so that they can focus on enabling that business.”

In the near to medium term, a sliding scale of shared responsibility is the likely outcome, concludes Korsah.

“Ultimate responsibility for the quality of service still lies with the customer; but having diligently assured infrastructure and applications for years, a large piece of the solution to your service assured future is probably closer to home than you might think.”

Meeting the challenges of cloud computing will be a key topic of discussion at the

CIO Summit Europe 2011 which takes place at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin, Germany from 24-26 May 2011.

This closed-door summit, hosted by GDS International, also features some of the leading voices in the European including Neil Dyke, GE Corporate CIO of EMEA; Sauro Nicli Group CIO of AXA; Patrick Vandenberghe Group CIO of ArcelorMittal, and Michael Terhorst CIO Europe & Africa FVC of BP.

Along with the mobile workforce, other key topics for discussion include the role of IT in social media, enterprise mobility, data centre optimisation and maximising enterprise IT security protection.

CIO Summit Europe 2011 is an exclusive C-level event reserved for 100 participants that includes expert workshops, facilitated roundtables, peer-to-peer networks and co-ordinated meetings.

For more information, visit http://www.ciosummiteurope.com

GDS International is a leading business-to-business events company. We offer financial, healthcare, IT service management, telecoms and oil and gas summits for senior executives throughout the Asia Pacific, Africa, China, Europe, North America and Russia markets. Our value proposition is simple: we deliver real results. And we’re very good at it. www.gdsinternational.com

Despite this growing complexity, though, the right business infrastructure can help you optimize your IT efficiency, minimize costs, and help you respond quickly to industry changes.

There has been a growing trend to use off-site infrastructure resources to manage the company IT needs. This has opened up a number of options for large and small companies because it allows them to quickly scale their infrastructure to meet their changing needs, adopt new technology as it comes available, and control all the expenditures related to the IT department.

If you are considering infrastructure as a service, there are a number of components that you should make sure the provider can deliver.

1. Cloud Computing – It seems like we are hearing this term more and more – and with good reason. Cloud computing companies are making it possible to be more efficient, flexible, and cost effective than ever before. While the name makes it sound like something intangible, the fact is that it is a very safe, secure way to store data and manage various applications.
2. Data Center Management – This is the integration of IT and facility management. If you are going to centralize your data and other information off-site, you need to know that the service provider is capable of managing the physical and digital aspects of your infrastructure.
3. Server Virtualization – Virtualization is an extremely cost-effective way to access the storage space and processing power you need without having to increase your own footprint. You get more security and more uptime while reducing capitol costs and power consumption.
4. Remote Monitoring – This gives you the ability to maintain control over your infrastructure while moving it off site. You can then shift your resources and staff to productive growth and development instead of reactive maintenance.
5. Electronic Records Management – Electronic records are an extremely important part of many businesses, and in some industries they are a requirement. You have to keep them safe from prying eyes and the risks of disasters and storage failures.

Infrastructure as a service allows you to pay for those things you need, when you need them. You won’t be spending your money on physical servers or storage space and you won’t have to make new technology purchases based on the possibility of growth.

If your industry demands that you start using some new technology to keep up with recent changes, you will be able to do so much faster when your IT infrastructure is scalable and flexible.

This is a guest post written by DELL LE.

The author writes about a range of technologies for large and medium business units which include cloud computing services, servers and other infrastructure solutions. These products and services along with email archiving can reduce management costs and create a flexible infrastructure

According to Tilera Chief Executive Officer Omid Tahernia, current chips haven’t been able to keep pace with the requirements of giant server farms built by companies such as Google and Facebook. These data centers need to expand to handle growing e-mail, online video, and search traffic. Simply increasing the speed at which a processor handles instructions from software has its limits. That approach generates a lot of heat and requires expensive cooling systems. “

Tilera says it has created software tools to let customers switch to its chips, that it’s now working with the top 20 cloud-computing-center companies, and its chips have been designed into more than 50 computer models.

The company has received more than $100 million in financing since 2005, including $45 million that was raised in January. Its investors include Cisco Systems, Samsung Electronics, and Broadcom. Tahernia is projecting $100 million in annual sales by 2013, 20 percent less than Intel’s revenue on an average day in the fourth quarter of 2010. Tilera is challenging a company that controls 90 percent of the server chip market, with 100 employees to Intel’s 82,500. “We may be small, but we’ve solved some tough problems,” says Tahernia.

Hans Mosesmann, a chip analyst at Raymond James & Associates says, “They are the real deal. I haven’t seen this kind of story for a long time.”

Getting funded as a chip startup is a major challenge in the current investment climate, as technology investors recently have been favoring social media companies and mobile application developers.

More on this story here.

Raleigh NC based Red Hat first partnered with NTT Communications in the cloud in April 2010, with NTT joining Red Hat’s growing cloud ecosystem as a Red Hat Premier Certified Cloud Provider.  As a result of this partnership, NTT Communications selected Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization as the foundational virtualization layer for its cloud, offering Red Hat Enterprise Linux as a guest operating system on the Biz Hosting Basic service.

NTT has greatly expanded its usage of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, built on Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) technology. NTT Communications customers who wish to expand their growth in the cloud now have more Red Hat Enterprise Linux guests available, offering enterprise-grade security, scalability and services consistent with what on-premise customers of Red Hat receive.

Mamoru Murakami, director of Ubiquitous Communication Department, Business Network Services Division at NTT Communications had his to say, “We selected Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization as the foundation for our Biz Hosting Basic cloud service at launch last year because of its high availability, reliability, security and scalability. We have seen such success with this deployment with our cloud service that we’ve greatly expanded our use of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization to further leverage the solution’s performance, security and scalability in an effort to provide an ideal cloud solution to our customers.”

Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions and an S&P 500 company, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with over 65 offices spanning the globe.

More on this story here.

The decision to outsource part of an organization’s IT department to a cloud-based service provider or to move internal IT services to a cloud platform must be taken with security among the top considerations.

The different models for cloud service delivery (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) have different security implications and requirements for the customer. The less control you have the greater you must rely on the security practices of the provider. Understanding the division of responsibilities between you and the service provider is vital before moving anything of value to a cloud.

All clouds are not the same. Private clouds aren’t necessarily free of the security concerns that plague public offerings. The fact that they are inside the corporate firewall does not automatically make them secure.  While a private cloud may seem more secure, they may introduce new threats and vulnerabilities that need to be understood. Even a locally hosted private cloud represents a potentially high concentration of data and services, which may have been far more distributed in the past. Understand the security implications of who now has access to that private cloud, where it is hosted (internal or external) and what systems are coexisting.

While the benefits of cloud may be that you need to worry less about how computing resources are provided, your responsibilities as to compliance and legal responsibility remain the same. Healthcare providers should take special note: the costs and bad publicity of breach of healthcare data you put in the cloud will still be attributed to you even if you believe the provider is at fault.

The cloud presents a way for business units to quickly provision systems and services, utilize resources, and de-provision those same systems so quickly that traditional approaches to good governance, security and due diligence are unlikely to keep pace. If you have security and compliance challenges now, cloud computing will simply exacerbate such problems. If it’s bad, cloud computing will make it worse, faster. The cloud paradigm is disruptive – it is worth noting that the way you worked in the past may not obtain in the future.

Read more here.

Mr. Kundra who is heading the consolidation initiative said today at a hearing of the Federal Financial Management and Government Information subcommittee, “We’ve already identified over 100 data centers that agencies” can shutter this calendar year.

According to Kundra, the government also is making progress on an initiative to move agency systems to a shared pool of computing resources such as servers and data storage in the cloud. Several agencies have identified 75 computer systems that can be moved to the cloud and are in the process of engaging companies to carry out the migrations.

Mr. Kundra plans to reduce government technology spending, totaling almost $80 billion a year through a plan including the key elements of Data-center consolidation and cloud computing, and has indicated that as much as $20 billion in technology expenditures could be moved to the cloud.

According to David McClure, Associate Administrator for GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, who also testified at the hearing, the General Services Administration expects to reduce data center costs by $2 million annually.

More on this story here.

In a statement by President Jean-Phillipe Courtois, the company outlined its strategic vision to engage with more small and medium-sized enterprises and boost its market share and make gains on its rival providers Salesforce.com, Oracle and SAP. According to Mr. Courtois, the technology will help Microsoft grow its profits, especially in emerging markets. In the global cloud computing market, Microsoft currently lags behind trailblazer Salesforce.com, SAP and Oracle.

Further comments by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer indicated that the firm is at war with its rivals in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) sector. In an interview with to Reuters, Ballmer said: “The opportunities to make a good business [out of ERP] economically are wonderful.”

At Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 held Tuesday in Atlanta, the company announced that it will be launching cloud computing offerings with its next major release of Dynamics ERP solutions, to run on the Windows Azure platform. It has a marketplace for Dynamics where independent software vendors (ISVs) and partners can showcase solutions, add-ons and services.

According to industry experts, much of the Redmond-based giant’s profitability is made through its enterprise products, meaning that the implementation of a stronger focus on cloud products is critical to enable it preserve its domination of the business software market. Products like Google Docs and others have threatened to undercut Microsoft’s position in the sector, while cloud innovations from competitors such as Amazon have provided flexible new options for budget-minded businesses.

Nevertheless, in an interview with Bloomberg, Courtois indicated that Microsoft’s prospects look healthy for the immediate future, and commended the company’s strong presence in emerging economies as the bulwark of its overall financial performance.

Read more on this story here.