Only a system-level approach to flash memory management can meet the increasing performance demands of the cloud while bringing the price of all solid-state systems to a level that is equal to high-performance HDDs. Innovations are necessary to make the latest generation of 19/20 nm MLC flash memory usable in mainstream enterprise cloud storage. In addition, reducing high costs that keep flash memory from serving as primary storage (as compared to caches or tiers) is very important.
In his session at the 12th International Cloud Expo, Rado Danilak, CEO at Skyera, will highlight flash technology trends for the cloud, and offer system-level solutions that will advance flash memory in the enterprise cloud storage market.
Backup, Recovery, Archiving, and the Cloud
Backup, Recovery, and Archiving (BURA) are critical elements for IT to address. BURA solutions need to address a broad spectrum of needs including data protection, regulatory compliance, and business continuity. Today’s cloud based solutions can enable customers to procure and consume BURA as a service supported by EMC’s latest technologies. At the end of Rich Place’s session at 12th Cloud Expo | Cloud Expo New York [June 10-13, 2013], you will be able to: 1. Gain a full understanding of Backup, Recovery, and Archiving (BURA), also known as Backup as a Service incorporating EMC’s latest technologies. 2. Share the experiences of a cloud service providers BURA implementations and portfolio 3. Have an opportunity to ask questions regarding SHI’s Backup as a Service offering and experiences with partners and customers
CloudAccess Unveils Integrated Version of Identity and Access Management
Security-as-a-service leader is first to the cloud-based market with a security solution that combines the key capabilities of user credentialing and authentication with single-sign-on for both SaaS and legacy applications.
CloudAccess, a provider of unified security solutions from the cloud, announced the release of the latest version of CloudIDM/AM which features a unique and seamless integration between enterprise identity management and access control (single sign on/access management) from the cloud.
According to CloudAccess, the new version includes several “game-changing” developments including multi-directional password synchronization between the identity management solution, Active Directory and/or LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), a federated gateway to control access to any application or website, dynamic self-service portal and centralized GUI-based workflow automation.
The Death of DAS?
For over a decade, Direct Attached Storage (DAS) has been a no-brainer for many organizations; simple, fast and cost-effective. But as applications, compute and storage move to the cloud, DAS is looking like less and less of a sure bet. In fact, it’s looking more like a liability. But migrating from traditional DAS models to cloud storage is not as difficult or complex as it seems, and the good news for VARs and service providers is that they can make recommendations to customers with large DAS estates which, given solid integration and lateral thinking, will allow them to get best use out of what may, initially, seem to be redundant technology.
In this recent piece published on Channel Pro, John Zanni, vice president of service provider marketing and alliances at Parallels takes a look at the drawbacks of DAS in a cloud environment – and what alternatives are out there.
GenieDB Makes MySQL Web-Scale & Always Available
Relational databases are notoriously ornery and resistant to being distributed across the cloud and the global cloud’s multiple data centers, multiple regions in multiple countries stocked by multiple service providers – and that includes that popular favorite MySQL, used by some of the largest web-facing organizations for their mission-critical apps.
Well, a start-up by the name of GenieDB says it’s been working on a commercial solution for MySQL for the last five years supported by $3.5 million in seed money and has just put out its GenieDB Enterprise 2.0 widgetry. It’s a private preview with general availability due by the end of June.
Monitoring Infrastructure Is Essential for Optimizing Performance
The most essential element in optimizing performance is detecting issues before they impact your systems. However, you need to implement constant monitoring on your operating environment to gain this early insight. There are tools to help, but finding one that provides all the right information is often a challenge.
Complex interactions between applications, networks, servers and other infrastructure components bury the issues, which make it difficult to find a universally compatible monitoring tool that doesn’t add more complexity to the environment. The issue with the tools available today is that they don’t dig deep into the data, and/or they tend to focus too narrowly on the type of infrastructure they can monitor. The best monitoring tool provides broad insight into multiple systems and correlates data in a single interface – viewing only part of the system doesn’t provide a complete picture of what’s going on. To optimize performance, you need different points of view and you need to know how all of them tie together.
CIA Backs Apigee
In a discrete low-key press release API house Apigee said Thursday that it’s getting backing from the CIA’s strategic venture arm In-Q-Tel (IQT) to enhance its widgetry to support the US intelligence community.
No number was mentioned.
Apigee has already raised $72.1 million in five rounds that included SAP, the German company, four times.
The CIA and other spook agencies want to improve their data sharing and figure out what to do with information once they get it, especially since there’s more information than ever before and Apigee is focused on mobile apps, which spew out information like an open fire hydrant during a hot summer in the projects.
Convergence and Interoperability Will Define Next-Generation Cloud Architectures
Our more interconnected planet is accelerating the adoption and convergence of next-generation architectures, in the form of cloud, mobile and instrumented physical assets. Organizations that can effectively balance optimization and innovation, will be in a position to leverage new systems of engagement, out maneuver their peers and achieve desired outcomes. In the Opening Keynote at 12th Cloud Expo | Cloud Expo New York, IBM GM & Next Generation Platform CTO Dr Danny Sabbah will detail the critical architectural considerations and success factors organizations must internalize to successfully implement, optimize and innovate using next generation architectures.
10 myths of cloud computing debunked
Guest blog by Nick John
Managing Director, FCP Internet Limited
There is a lot of hype surrounding the cloud and its delivery of software, storage and infrastructure over the Internet, but many businesses still view the technology as being too disruptive to implement.
And yet, by taking the time to understand this advanced technology, we can begin to learn that the benefits usually outweigh the negatives, and that the myths are most often grounded in fiction. For that reason, we are going to debunk 10 of those myths.
Myth #1: It’s not secure. The cloud allows for your data to be remotely accessible, and so not in one specific location (such as a PC) where it can be stolen. The standard service-level agreement that should be in place is integral to finding the right security level for your business.
Myth #2: You have no idea what it is. Have …
Big Data on OpenStack
The massive computing and storage resources that are needed to support big data applications make cloud environments an ideal fit. In Nati Shalom’s upcoming session at 12th Cloud Expo | Cloud Expo New York [June 10-13, 2013], you’ll learn how to build your big data «database on-demand» using MongoDB, Cassandra, Solr, MySQL, or any other big data solution, as well as manage your big data application using a new open source framework called “Cloudify.” All this, on top of the OpenStack cloud.