What are your thoughts about ‘Cloud Computing’ – using the Internet as a repository for all your IT applications, databases, intellectual property and such like? Some informed commentators declare it is nothing more than marketing hype and an attempt by the big data centre operators to grab an exceedingly large chunk of the global IT cake. Others, meanwhile, believe it is an inevitable next-step shift in technology that we should all consider embracing, from big corporation to small, cash-strapped business that might benefit from shared IT resources - and even on down to we ordinary domestic PC or Mac user folk.
One might claim that Cloud Computing is just an updated manifestation of the old mainframe time-sharing concept, based on the rather limited but, nonetheless, secure network infrastructures of the late 1960s and 1970s. I have a rather dim* memory of a proposal by some rising star or other in the computing firmament for a very basic, low cost ‘dumb’ terminal that would be able to access remotely stored applications on an as-needed basis. All you paid for was the cheap box of tricks on your desk and a telephone connection.
The Internet, however, has broadened those early network capabilities beyond our most fevered imaginings and, if you want to believe the Cloud’s proponents, we are truly at the dawn of a ‘New Age’ in shared computer resources. But wait a bit – there’s that little matter of security. Do you really want your intellectual property residing on a server half way across the world, managed by an outfit that might go bust at a moment’s notice?
The Cloud community will argue vociferously that Cloud Computing does not pose a security issue, but a security ‘opportunity’, whatever that might mean. And detract from it as much as we may, it is being taken very seriously indeed by provider and user alike. Only last week, London hosted its first major Cloud Computing event at IP Expo; and the UK launch of Microsoft’s new OS, Windows 7 in that same week brought more than a hint of faith in Cloud Computing for the masses.
Hosted IT specialist, Outsourcery says Microsoft’s new operating system delivers a “seamless” software-as-a-service (SaaS) function, which, as product strategy and development director, Mark Seemann explains, will allow businesses to obtain access to their server applications within a hosted environment, reducing operating and capital expenditure and maintenance. Mr Seemann places not inconsiderable faith in these developments. “If Microsoft didn’t believe that Cloud and SaaS was the future,” he says, “it would not have gone to the trouble of putting these features into the core [Windows 7] operating system.”
The computer graphics hardware specialist, NVIDIA and its Berlin based subsidiary, Mental Images, last week hosted a webinar to mark the launch of what they claim is the world’s first web services platform that uses the capabilities of graphics processing units (GPUs) to serve up interactive, photorealistic 3D image files from the Cloud. The NVIDIARealityServer platform streams interactive, photorealistic 3D applications to any web connected PC, laptop, netbook or smart phone, and makes full use of Mental Images’ new iRay ray-tracing renderer.
Rather like rival system, AMD Fusion Render Cloud, which was announced earlier this year, iRay technology, connects with a cluster of graphics-focused servers in a data centre to render a lifelike 3D image on any remote display using nothing more than an Internet connection. According to NVIDIA, these capabilities will potentially “change the dynamics” for design teams that have to work collaboratively on a global scale, or who wish to make immediate changes to design concepts when on location with clients.
It’s all very compelling, but on a personal note, I remain uneasy about the surrender of key intellectual property, not to mention sensitive commercial data, to a third party host. Perhaps, like many others, I may have missed the point and these misgivings are totally unfounded; certainly, the industry is at pains to allay user fears. But then, it does have a vested interest in pushing the technology forward. Do you have an opinion or a more informed view on this subject? If so, do let us have them.
Les Hunt
Editor
*And I mean ‘dim’! If any of you have clearer recollections of such stuff, I’m sure some of our younger readers would find them amusing.