Today, containers use some of the same terminology, but are introducing new ones. That’s an opportunity for me to extemporaneously expound* on my favorite of all topics: the proxy. One of the primary drivers of cloud (once we all got past the pipedream of cost containment) has been scalability. Scale has challenged agility (and sometimes won) in various surveys over the past five years as the number one benefit organizations seek by deploying apps in cloud computing environments.
Ocado improves fraud detection with machine learning
8 Mar, 2018
Ocado Technology is fighting fraud with machine learning, improving its detection rate by 15 times since using automation to detect wrongdoing.
The technology division of the online supermarket has built its own machine learning-based algorithm with Google’s TensorFlow and Google Cloud to help it detect fraud among the sheer petabytes of data it stores in Google Cloud.
The system is part of the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP), and attempts to differentiate between shoppers who accidentally input the wrong personal details or who use an expired debit card, and those who have a malicious intent.
For Ocado, part of the danger of fraud is that leaving it unchecked could result in the fraudulent information being moved to other systems and divisions in the business, eventually impacting customer service.
This has led Ocado to develop a mechanism for predicting and recognising these incidents among millions of other normal events using data collected from past orders, as well as cases of fraud.
To do this, engineers have built a deep neural network using TensorFlow and uploaded the whole fraud detection system to the cloud.
“From the data we had collected from past orders, including cases of fraud, we created a list of features which included the number of past deliveries, the cost of baskets, and other information,” said Ocado’s Holly Godwin. “The more features we included in the training data, the more reliable the model could be, so we made sure that we were providing our model with as much information as possible.
“After collating our data, we then had to decide upon an algorithm capable of learning from the information. Eventually we implemented a deep neural network on TensorFlow, as it was precise and easy to deploy into production. Using TensorFlow was a natural choice as we had already made the move over to Google Cloud for data analytics so using TensorFlow alongside our data stored on the Google Cloud Platform worked well.”
The algorithm had to be as accurate as possible, because confirmed fraud cases are rare, typically one in every thousand orders (0.01%), and a machine learning model that is only 99.9% accurate could still miss several instances of fraud.
“The motivation behind using machine learning for fraud detection was twofold: speed and adaptability,” Godwin added. “Machines are fundamentally more capable of quickly detecting patterns compared to humans. Also, as fraudsters change their tactics, machines can learn the new patterns much quicker.”
Ocado’s push to include more features in the training data have created a more reliable model which has already achieved significant success, improving Ocado’s precision of detecting fraud by a factor of 15.
Why cloud-native virtual network functions are important for NFV
Virtual network functions (VNFs) are software implementations of network function equipment packaged in virtual machines, on top of commercial off the shelf hardware NFV infrastructure. VNFs are a core part of NFV – as we know the base of NFV was to virtualise the network functions and software based to reduce cost and gain full control over network operations with added agility and flexibility benefits. We can say that the majority of NFV operations are focused towards how VNFs can be served in NFV infrastructure to introduce new services for consumers. In future, we can expect major developments will be related to VNFs only.
VNFs and NFV are separated by the fact that VNF are provided by external vendors or open source communities to service providers who are transitioning their infrastructure to NFV. There may be several VNFs which combine to form a single service for NFV. This adds complexity to the overall NFV purpose of agility, where VNFs from different vendors need to deploy in NFV infrastructure having a different operational model.
VNFs developed by different vendors have different methodologies for complete deployment in existing NFV environments. Onboarding VNFs remains a challenge due to a lack of standard processes for complete management from development to deployment and monitoring.
At a basic level, traditional VNFs come with limitations such as:
- VNFs consume huge amounts of hardware in order to be highly available
- VNFs are developed, configured and tested to run for specified NFV hardware infrastructure
- Needs manual installation, configuration and deployment on NFVi
- API not provided for VNF to enable automated scaling, configuration to serve the sudden spike in demand for utilisation
- Not supporting multi-tenancy, VNFs cannot be easily shared in infrastructure for reuse
Building cloud-native VNFs is a solution for vendors and this is a revolution in software development to have all cloud-native characteristics to VNFs. Features we can expect as cloud-native VNFs are containerised functions, microservices-based, dynamically managed and specifically designed for orchestration. The major differentiator of cloud-native VNFs from traditional VNFs can be self-management capability and scalability.
Building cloud-native VNFs overcomes the limitations of traditional VNFs and gives the following benefits. Cloud-native VNFs have APIs which enables:
- Automated installation and configuration
- Automated scaling when dynamic requirement from network
- Self-healing or fault tolerant
- Automated monitoring and analysis of VNFs for errors, capacity management and performance
- Automated upgrading and updating VNFs for applying new releases and patches
- Standard and simplified management enables less power consumption; reduction of unnecessary allocated resources
- Reusability and sharing of processes within VNFs can be achieved. VNFs can be easily shared within an NFV environment
NFV is a key technology used in the development of 5G networks. But NFV is going through a maturation stage where NFV solution providers are resolving many challenges like automated deployment, and VNF onboarding. Developing VNF and deploying into NFV infrastructure sounds simple, but it raises various questions when it comes to scale, configuring or updating VNFs. Any task related to VNFs need manual intervention, leads to more time consumption for launching or updating new services for service providers.
To deliver the promise of agility by NFV in 5G needs exceptional automation at every level of NFV deployment. Building cloud-native VNFs seems to be the solution – but it is at a very early stage.
The post Importance of Cloud-Native VNFs for NFV Success appeared first on Sagar Nangare.
VMware and AWS bring hybrid partnership to Europe
8 Mar, 2018
VMware Cloud is now available on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Europe, meaning businesses can take advantage of locally-hosted services to migrate their cloud services and hybrid cloud deployments.
The two companies explained this will speed up the process of migrating and deploying workloads, as well as having obvious benefits for industries requiring locally-hosted infrastructure.
The first European zone to launch will be the AWS EU (London) region, with Frankfurt due to launch later this year, alongside Asia Pacific.
“Since launching VMware Cloud on AWS just six months ago, we’ve seen tremendous interest from our global customer base and multi-national enterprises,” Mark Lohmeyer, vice president and general manager of VMware’s cloud platform business unit, said.
“Today marks an essential starting point for our global expansion to deliver unparalleled hybrid cloud services in major geographies around the world.”
AWS said the launch was a result of customer demand, with businesses in the healthcare, transportation, financial services, manufacturing, oil & gas, government, education, professional services, and technology sectors already using the cloud service to store their VMware tools.
“Working together, VMware and AWS are delivering deeper AWS integration so that customers won’t have to manage their own storage and database services,” said Matt Garman, vice president of AWS Compute Services.
As well as announcing VMware Cloud on AWS launching in Europe, VMware also revealed new services in its cloud portfolio, including VMware Hybrid Cloud Extension Service for Private Cloud to help businesses migrate and deploy their apps across different vSphere versions, on-premises and in the cloud.
Expanded Wavefront is VMware’s effort to provide a metrics monitoring and analytics platform that supports a range of public and private cloud infrastructure, including VMware Cloud on AWS, with 45 new integrations that can be monitored by Wavefront.
VMware’s Log Intelligence Service offers operational insights into VMware-based data centres and VMware Cloud on AWS, helping businesses troubleshoot and log activity on cloud platforms using machine learning and dashboards, while Expanded VMware Cost Insight Service calculates the cost and capacity demands of running VMware Cloud on AWS workloads in private or public clouds.
“The need to support a complex set of new and existing applications is driving cloud adoption, and the needs of the applications are driving cloud decisions,” said Raghu Raghuram, chief operating officer of products and cloud services at VMware.
“VMware Cloud gives customers unprecedented flexibility to develop any type of application, deploy these apps to any cloud, and deliver them to any device while leveraging a consistent infrastructure across clouds and a consistent set of operations across any cloud.”
Failing at Customer Success? Add Recursion to the Value Chain
In B2B situations, customer outcomes are far more likely to correspond to quantifiable key performance indicators (KPIs) like customer profitability, productivity, cost savings, etc. Customer delight might very well be on this list, but it is far more difficult to measure. We can thus come to the reasonable conclusion that customer success initiatives will only be successful if the people responsible for it take their focus off of inward-facing metrics like churn, upsells, and cross-sells, and instead give their full attention to such customer outcomes.
Just one problem: in the B2B scenario, simply focusing on business KPIs as business outcomes still falls short as a true metric for customer success.
Shankar Kalyana Joins @CloudEXPO NY Faculty | @IBMcloud @SKalster #DigitalTransformation
Cloud-enabled transformation has evolved from cost saving measure to business innovation strategy — one that combines the cloud with cognitive capabilities to drive market disruption. Learn how you can achieve the insight and agility you need to gain a competitive advantage. Industry-acclaimed CTO and cloud expert, Shankar Kalyana presents. Only the most exceptional IBMers are appointed with the rare distinction of IBM Fellow, the highest technical honor in the company. Shankar has also received the prestigious Outstanding Technical Achievement Award three times – an accomplishment befitting only the most innovative thinkers. Shankar Kalyana is among the most respected strategists in the global technology industry. As CTO, with over 32 years of IT experience, Mr. Kalyana has architected, designed, developed, and implemented custom and packaged software solutions across a vast spectrum of environments and platforms. His current area of expertise includes hybrid, multi-cloud as-a-service strategies that drive digital and cognitive enterprises to operational excellence.
Compliance and Security | @CloudEXPO #Cybersecurity #GDPR #ArtificialIntelligence
In 2018, the shifting emphasis to IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and automation seem to overshadow cloud; yet, I believe it is just the opposite. A recently published industry survey shows that by 2020, the use of public cloud will grow dramatically. Business goals related to actively adopting AI, IoT and machine learning strategies are prompting IT teams to consider outsourced cloud and cloud experts to move faster than competitors. The formats and pilots incorporating these technologies can be seen across multiple markets and segments including government, retail, and industrial bases. The use of AI, VR, and IoT is also driving the technology, compliance and cybersecurity markets necessary to support these innnovations. For example, nowadays there are a number of automotive, entertainment and digital marketing companies with dedicated cyber teams.
VMware Cloud on AWS now available in Europe – with more regions promised
The joint cloud offering from VMware and Amazon Web Services (AWS) is now available in Europe, the former has announced, with London first on the list and Frankfurt to join in due course.
VMware Cloud on AWS, which offers benefits to joint customers including workload portability between private and public clouds, had previously been available in AWS’ US West and US East regions.
The service was only made initially available in August, with AWS chief executive Andy Jassy joining VMware compatriot Pat Gelsinger on stage at VMworld. Among the list of earliest customers using the joint offering were Moody’s, Symantec, and Western Digital. Joining them, according to the VMware press materials, are Brink’s, a secure logistics provider, who said the flexibility of the new product is a ‘key driver in Brink’s technology and business transformation.’
“Bringing together the best of VMware and AWS, VMware Cloud on AWS provides customers an operationally consistent and familiar way to run, manage and secure applications in a hybrid cloud with access to a broad range of innovative and comprehensive AWS services and robust disaster protection,” wrote Sai Gopalan, VMware senior product marketing manager in a blog post confirming the news.
“This release initiates the global expansion of the service by making it available to our European and multi-national customers.”
Gopalan added there were future plans to move to additional European and Asia Pacific regions.
How the enterprise can embrace hybrid cloud
8 Mar, 2018
Cloud computing has come a long way since the early days of being the newest kid on the IT block. Since then, the market has evolved and organisations have improved their understanding of what the various cloud models are and what each can do for them.
Hybrid cloud in particular can be a tough nut to crack. The benefits are plentiful – although some are more obvious than others – but businesses often struggle to know where to start or what to do next.
40% of organisations are planning to deploy a hybrid cloud storage model within the next year. Read the full survey in ‘Hybrid cloud storage adoption trends’.
The growth of hybrid cloud itself is an acknowledgement that a zero-cloud approach is increasingly untenable, according to Kevin Casey at The Enterprisers Project. It also indicates that CIOs and their team need to retain control over their data, and a hybrid cloud environment increasingly provides the flexibility needed for workloads.
Enterprises now need to be able to quickly, seamlessly and – importantly – securely move workloads, including those that are mission-critical, to and from the public cloud.
Modern enterprises are time-poor, yet information-rich with plenty of demands to fulfill. As such, they have limited resources and must continuously balance today’s business needs with tomorrow’s exacting demands and changing market landscape.
With true hybrid cloud, organisations are freed from the shackles of the mundane and complex so they can focus on their core business objectives and move from the daily grind to innovating for future success.
Organisations can extend their data centres’ reach and gain many benefits with hybrid cloud, including but not limited to:
- The ability to build new enterprise applications and host them in Java-based architectures as well as being primed to benefit from next-generation rather than just traditional apps.
- Develop and test more efficiently. This frees up precious on-premise resources, but also ensures businesses can move forward and react to changing industry demands.
- Ensure disaster recovery is in place for third-party backups, test environments, seasonal activity and other locations.
- Take advantage of next-gen capabilities from key vendors’ packaged apps and host in the hybrid cloud.
So how, then do you get from A to B when it comes to realising those benefits?
Given all the benefits available, it’s no surprise that hybrid cloud is predicted to be the dominant model used in the future. More than 90% of organisations will have deployed some form of hybrid cloud infrastructure by the end of 2020, according to analyst firm Gartner.
IDC concurs, estimating that the hybrid cloud market will grow by 20.5% by 2021, strengthened by growth in security and compliance data services.
However, there are still barriers to overcome, particularly when it comes to ensuring that the needs of the business and IT continue to be aligned. This has been a battleground in the historic tech landscape, with lines of business and technology personnel at odds and speaking different languages. For hybrid cloud deployments, in order to truly reap the benefits, there needs to be a meeting of minds.
“Hybrid cloud helps give each group what it wants: security and control for IT operations and speed and agility for line-of-business operations,” IDC said, suggesting the model is a way of bridging the gap between the tech side and line of business stakeholders.
The research house continued: “To the extent that IT can incorporate external public cloud services into formalised IT procurement, implementation, and governance processes, IT becomes a facilitator of rather than a roadblock to more dynamic business-ready IT.”
Milind Govekar, chief of research at Gartner, echoed these thoughts, saying: “Many lines of business buy external cloud services without the initial involvement of, or oversight from, IT leaders. To implement hybrid cloud services successfully, IT leaders need to introduce an internal cloud services brokerage (CSB) role responsible for the governance, demand management and delivery of cloud services.”
He added: “Those who do not think and act like an external service provider or evolve into a CSB role will gradually lose the trust of business managers, who will circumvent the IT organisation in order to access the IT services they need. This will result in more disaggregation of IT services and reduced value from the remaining shared IT services.”
Learn more about the concerns expressed around data storage and compliance, and the actions businesses are planning to take to combat it in Cloudian’s survey.
With this in mind, enterprises should be asking a number of questions prior to making the move to hybrid cloud. These include:
- Who needs to be involved in the decision making process?
- Once stakeholders are established, what will our decision-making criterion include?
- What are the limitations and opportunities with our current IT and business setup?
- What costs are involved (both overheads and savings)? What is the ROI?
- Will it free up resources (tech and people) to add value elsewhere in the business?
- What workloads can and should I move and when?
- Which service provider should I partner with and will they still be in business a year from now?
- Where will my data be located?
- What about security and unauthorised access? Am I protected?
- What are the SLAs?
- Will I be locked in or do I have long-term flexibility?
- Will it make business life better than it is today?
Many organisations have already successfully navigated their way through the maze of questions and possible answers to enjoy the benefits of hybrid cloud and hybrid IT.
Overall, the move to hybrid cloud won’t be an overnight success story for everyone, but businesses can expect to see cost savings and increased operational efficiency when it is deployed properly.
Gordon Haff to Present #AI, #DevSecOps, and #CloudNative at @CloudEXPO NY | #DevOps #Serverless
The standardization of container runtimes and images has sparked the creation of an almost overwhelming number of new open source projects that build on and otherwise work with these specifications. Of course, there’s Kubernetes, which orchestrates and manages collections of containers. It was one of the first and best-known examples of projects that make containers truly useful for production use. However, more recently, the container ecosystem has truly exploded. A service mesh like Istio addresses many of the challenges faced by developers and operators as monolithic applications transition towards a distributed microservice architecture. A tracing tool like Jaeger analyzes what’s happening as a transaction moves through a distributed system. Monitoring software like Prometheus captures time-series events for real-time alerting and other uses. Grafeas and Kritis provide security policy attestation and enforcement. And there are many more.