Geographic Information Systems Cloud GIS

► The use of computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over the Internet ► The name comes from the use of a cloud-shaped symbol to represent the complex infrastructure it contains in system diagrams Cloud Computing

► Traditionally people rely on their own personal computers for every task, but - PCs have limited processing capacity - PCs have limited processing capacity - The utilization of personal computers is low - The utilization of personal computers is low ► A new trend in information technology, moving software from personal computers to the Internet Cloud Computing

► Upload and manage photos online ► Share photos with family and friends ► Post photos everywhere on the web e.g. Flickr

► Cloud services are the use of computer resources (hardware and software) in cloud systems ► One may rent cloud services, such as editing, managing, and sharing photos, the same way as one rents textbooks from bookstores Cloud Computing..

Web-GIS DataData Optional Separate data storage Internet or Intranet Internet or Intranet Server(s) Clients

► A cloud system is like a giant centralized server

► Like power plants that deliver electricity to customers through power grids ► Cloud systems deliver computing resources to end users through the internet Cloud Computing.. Power Plants Power Grids Customers

► The term ‘cloud’ is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on the cloud-like symbol used in the past to represent the telephone network History of Cloud Computing

► The concept of cloud computing dates back to 1961, when Prof. John MacCarthy predicted that ‘computation may someday be organized as a public utility.’ ► In 1991, Salesforce.com, one of the first movers in cloud computing, introduced the concept of delivering enterprise applications via a simple website History..

► In 2002, Amazon launched its cloud service ► Google brought cloud computing to the forefront of public consciousness by introducing Google Docs in History..

► In the following years, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and a host of companies joined cloud computing History..

► Software as a Service (SaaS) ► Platform as a Service (PaaS) ► Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Cloud Computing Models

Cloud System..

► Cloud providers operate application software in the cloud and users access the software from the client side ► Users do not manage the cloud infrastructure and platform on which the application is running Software as a Service (SaS)

► This eliminates the need to install and run the application on the user's own computers ► e.g. Flickr, Google Docs, Siri, Amazon Cloud Drive… Software as a Service (SaS)

► Cloud providers deliver a computing platform, including operating system, programming language execution environment, database, etc. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

► Application developers can develop and run their software solutions on a cloud platform without the cost and complexity of buying and managing their own hardware and software ► e.g. Google App Engine, Amazon Web Services Platform as a Service (PaaS)

► Providers offer computers, as physical or more often as virtual machines, and other resources ► Developers and IT organizations do not need to purchase expensive computers and equipment, but pay for computer infrastructure-like utilities from cloud service providers (“pay as you go”) ► e.g. Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

► Popular cloud systems include: Flickr, Google Docs, and Amazon Cloud Drive ► They perform the functions that were traditionally done with software installed on personal computers Popular Could Systems

► A cloud based online Office suite ► Process Word docs, Excel, and PPT slides ► Allows one to create, edit, and share docs online using web browsers on any devises online using web browsers on any devises Google Docs

► A personal hard drive in a cloud system ► Allows users to upload and download files through web browsers ► Comes with web apps with which users can read books or play music on the cloud drive Amazon Cloud Drive

► A personal assistant app comes with iPhone (location-based service) ► One can use voice to send messages, schedule meetings, and place phone calls Siri

.. Cloud Servers Voice Digital file Instructions Voice

► Multi-tenancy - Resources in cloud systems can be shared among a large number of users - Improve the efficiency of cloud systems and save cost for cloud service providers Characteristics of Cloud Computing

► Scalability - Even when the total work load for a cloud system increases dramatically, the system could improve its capacity by adding more hardware to handle the increased load Characteristics..

► Elasticity - A cloud system only delivers the minimum amount of computing resources that meet users’ need - The amount of resources provided to users increase when they need more, and decrease when they need less. Users only pay for what they consumed Characteristics....

► Device independent - Users can utilize cloud services using whatever device they have, should it be a laptop, an iPad, or a smart phone, as long as they have access to the Internet Characteristics..

► Low cost - Users do not need to purchase expensive computers to perform tasks that need high performance computing - Much like rent a book from the UB bookstore or borrow one from the UB library. One spend only a fraction of the cost of buying the book Characteristics..

► Reliability - Multiple redundant sites are used in cloud systems. There are always backups available when one or more sites are down Characteristics..

► Security and Privacy - Hackers and malicious insiders may hack into users’ cloud accounts and access sensitive data stored in cloud systems - Companies hosting cloud services have full control on users’ data. They may intentionally collect personal information for personalized ads Issues in Cloud Computing

► You create a beautiful map using ArcGIS and want to share it with friends ► You can definitely it if the size of the map is small. What if your map file is 600MB, too large to send via ? ► Even if your friends get your map, do they have access to ArcGIS to display a shape file? GIS and Cloud Computing

► How about using GIS services in cloud systems? ► ArcGIS online (arcgis.com). Create or upload your map to ArcGIS online and share it with your friends with a few simple clicks Cloud GIS..

► Problems in desktop GIS - Data intensive. The size of GIS files can be hundreds of MB or more - Computation intensive. Spatial analysis, such as buffer and network analysis, may take an extensive amount of time - GIS software is mostly expensive. Individual users and small organizations can not afford commercial GIS software Cloud GIS..

► GIS in cloud systems - Anything that needs a large storage space or high performance computing can be handled easily by cloud systems - Users only pay a small amount of money for GIS services in cloud systems Cloud GIS..

► Google Maps Powered by a cloud system, Google maps allow users to perform many tasks, such as exploring maps, finding places, getting directions and more. All these could be done with a web browser Cloud GIS Examples /

► ArcGIS Mobile - Extend ArcGIS to iPads and iPhones - Access GIS data on mobile devices - Collect and edit GIS data using GPS in mobile devices Examples..

► Cloud computing tools, methods, technologies, and application research and development ► Communication and performance analysis of Cloud computing ► Geospatial applications onto Cloud platforms ► Studies of how to ensure and utilize the capacity of spatial cloud computing Research Topics in Cloud GIS