Cloud Computing April 19, 2012

Agenda Introduction What is cloud computing? What are the benefits? What are the concerns? What’s next?

What is Cloud Computing? Two key concepts: –Virtualization –On Demand

Virtualization A “computer” is the operating system and everything installed to it It is no longer “attached” to the hardware Several “computers” can be made from one physical server These “computers” can change hardware easily New computers can be made from completely installed, configured, ready-to-run “images”

Virtualization How is that possible? –“Hypervisor” Let’s see it in action

On Demand It’s quick & easy to… create computers change their configuration (add or remove processors, memory, etc) move them to different hardware restore a healthy copy discard or put them in storage

Consistency You have completely known, tested configs Additions, changes, and updates to these known configurations are controlled and testable These computers aren’t attached to the hardware If the hardware goes bad, the computer is moved If the OS gets corrupted, you create a new one Your local devices are just “viewers”

Separation Cloud can be the basis of achieving this Virtual Desktops separate “computer” from hardware “Application Virtualization” separates critical apps from the chaos

Does Cloud mean Hosted? Not Necessarily Cloud can be hosted, and there are many good reasons to do this, including: –Learning curve –Economies of Scale –Frees your IT up to focus elsewhere But cloud can be done internally too, with the same results

Does Cloud mean Browser-Based? No Cloud allows use of full-featured desktops and applications It’s not limited to watered-down web apps Your computers, applications, and data are separate from other companies’

Has Cloud been Proven? Cloud started at big companies They’ve been doing it for years Most have switched completely All their new deployments are to the cloud Now, it’s available for smaller businesses

Is Cloud Stable? Much MORE so than traditional computing

Cost Savings Your data is automatically backed up Maintenance for your desktops and servers less complex and less critical You can phase in simpler devices as your current ones reach replacement These devices will have lower cost and power consumption

Cost Savings Is this your next desktop?

OK, that’s nice, but… Won’t I now just have twice as many computers to worry about? –(After all, I have to connect from something, and I’ll still need my server…) Won’t I now just have the same chaos in the cloud that I have on my office servers now? What if my internet goes down? What if the host has a problem / disaster?

Peace of Mind Redundant hardware, power, connectivity Instant swap-over to other hardware if observed hardware issue threatens a server 24-7 server monitoring and intervention Rapid restore if a sudden server failure Nightly off-site backup Your entire install can be recreated from backup in the event of a facility disaster

Peace of Mind… (Continued!) Windows patches and major releases will be KNOWN to work for YOUR configuration prior to install Virus checking and malware prevention is built in You can focus your IT spend on USING your systems, not MAINTAINING them

What’s Next If you want to build your own Cloud: –Look at Citrix XenApp, XenServer, & VDI-in- a-Box, and look at VMWare –Resources: CitrixTV ( and e-Docs (search “e-docs” at citrix.com) –Keep an eye on Microsoft for comparison

What’s Next If you want to consider the PT Cloud: –Don’t buy a new server –Get on our cloud news list

Thank You!