What is Cloud Computing?
"In your company or organization the cloud will become the centre of your IT universe". But what is Cloud Computing? Simply put, it is the evolution of information technology as we know it.


Cloud Computing is the ability to access information, from a device from any location at any time. In essence one can access information as it is now "stored" in The Cloud. Therefore, Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. The Cloud enables information to be stored offsite. Some earlier examples are ATM's and cell phones. End users can access this information/data that is stored on servers at a remote location, through mobile applications, light weight desktops or web browsers. To enable service providers to deliver this service, the backbone of The Cloud needs to be build and maintained by various IT Providers. This includes Microsoft, Cisco and others. These providers strive to give the best service and performance so that it would be just as if the software programs were locally installed. Cloud computing is based on shared services and the concept of infrastructure convergence. The Cloud environment allows applications to run faster, is easier to manage and adjust and requires less maintenance.

  • What Microsoft is saying about Cloud Computing:

    Companies are looking for IT professionals who can help them build private cloud solutions to optimize IT service delivery. Are you ready? With Windows Server 2008 and System Center 2012, you can build your Microsoft private cloud solution and gain the automation and flexibility you need for your IT infrastructure, now and in the future. Do you have experience with these technologies? Are you ready to begin the journey to cloud computing with a Microsoft private cloud implementation? Become Private Cloud certified and prove your knowledge and skills in managing and implementing Microsoft private cloud computing technologies.

    Innovation is critical in today's competitive marketplace. By adopting cloud services, businesses find significant opportunities for innovation. However, successfully moving to the cloud can be challenging. That's where you come in. The more you know about the cloud, the more you can help your business reach its full potential. In the process, you'll set yourself up for success.

    Microsoft Private Cloud Solutions for your Business
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  • What CISCO is saying about Cloud
    Computing

    What Cloud Means - A cloud is a powerful combination of cloud computing, networking, storage, management solutions, and business applications that facilitate a new generation of IT and consumer services. These services are available on demand, and delivered economically, without compromising security or functionality. We are moving to an interconnected "world of many clouds," where people will have access to cloud services anytime, on any device, anywhere in the world.

    Why It Matters - Enterprises, service providers, small businesses, and governments are looking for cloud solutions to solve some of their biggest business and technology challenges. A solution to these challenges requires an approach that fully integrates the three pillars of cloud: cloud applications and services, data centers, and networks.

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  • What CompTIA is saying about Cloud Computing

    CompTIA's inaugural study on cloud computing in 2010 found that many companies were experimenting with this new strategy, but there was still measured investment and resource allocation from both end users and channel firms. The 2nd Annual Trends in Cloud Computing study shows that the hesitation is disappearing and companies are moving quickly past experimentation and into heavier use of cloud computing. The major points from the study give a foundation for understanding the shape of the cloud market today.

    To begin with, end users are moving into more complex uses of cloud computing. Both understanding and perception of cloud solutions have increased dramatically in the past year—72% of respondents feel more positive about cloud today than they did one year ago. With a new found appreciation for how the cloud works and what it can do for a business, companies are moving beyond simple Software as a Service applications and even using cloud to build new capabilities.

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Cloud Computing Video

Traditional business applications and platforms are too complicated and expensive. They need a data center, a complex software stack and a team of experts to run them.This short video explains what Cloud Computing is and why it's faster, lower cost and doesn't eat up your valuable IT resources.

 

CTU And The Cloud

 


CTU has implemented 8 different cloud technologies in the past 3 years. Much of CTU's growth and success is driven by these
cloud technologies.
Advantages of Cloud Technologies at CTU
• Better IT Management
• Central point administration
• Can easily adopt new technologies
• Higher availability
• Uptime
• Remote accessibility
• Cross platform information
• Better IT reporting

 

Microsoft Cloud Training

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service is a provision model in which an organisation outsources the equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components. The service provider owns the equipment and is responsible for housing, running and maintaining it. The client typically pays on a per-use basis.


Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet.


Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a way to rent hardware, operating systems, storage and network capacity over the Internet. The service delivery model allows the customer to rent virtualized servers and associated services for running existing applications or developing and testing new ones.

 

 

What Does It All Mean?
From infrastructure specialist to data center operations management As an administrator, you're in charge of design, configuration, and maintenance. As a Windows Server administrator, you'll need to reposition your skills for the hosted data center, so that you can work in standardized environments, with standardized applications. You'll be monitoring, provisioning, and managing the data center with Microsoft System Center.
From developer to cloud developer As a cloud developer, you'll need to understand how applications are designed, developed, and deployed for platform as a service (PaaS). You'll focus on innovation and integration, and you'll work more closely with business units to help them increase productivity. Consider expanding your skills to include identity and access control, through Windows Communication Foundation, and HTML5, to provide richer websites without the need for third-party plug-ins.
From database developer to data steward As you move from your role as database administrator to data steward in a cloud environment, you'll need to be able to design and manage databases anywhere. Being able to architect a cloud strategy and identify data to move to cloud storage will be important skills as you work with SQL Azure cloud-based relational database services built on Microsoft SQL Server technologies.
From administrator to Office 365 administrator As an IT administrator, you've probably specialized in a particular technology, such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SharePoint, or Microsoft Lync. As a Microsoft Office 365 administrator, you'll build on this expertise as you move from an on-premise deployment model to a public cloud model. You'll need to develop your planning, design, and infrastructure skills to migrate, deploy, and administer a hosted Office 365 solution.



 

CISCO Cloud Training