OpenStack and Enterprise Applications

OpenStack

There are any number of Cloud related initiatives: Eucalyptus, Scalr, you name it. But, the "it" initiative these days is OpenStack.

Backed by RackSpace and a team from NASA, it is an open source effort that aims to create a complete Cloud Computing solution that is not encumbered by the VCE cartel (VMWare, Cisco, and EMC - in case you are wondering.)

With its hybrid commercial and tech origin, it also has a duel personality. On the technical side, there are groups of dedicated architects and developers driving the core products and related extensions. On the commercial side, a lot of companies, 100+ as of my last count, have signed up with OpenStack as corporate members.

It is worth watching who will drive the development of OpenStack as a project. On one hand, it could become Mozilla/Linux like with a clear technology focus. On the other, this could become mostly a standard setting body driven by corporate sponsors.

The easy answer is that this all depends on whether OpenStack gains traction in deployment. And, preferably, large scale ones. The real question is how would RackSpace manage the process?

With the announcement of the OpenStack foundation with donated IP at its recent Boston semi-annaul meeting, the foundation's development would offer the first clue on which path OpenStack will go down.

What does Cloud mean if you are not Google, Amazon, or Facebook

On the question of traction, I cannot help but look at the enterprise side of things. Cloud Computing as a utility is likely to end up in the hand of two providers in the US (look up your economics textbook for why so few and think of the US anti-trust history for why more than one.)

On the other hand, there are plenty of enterprises who need Cloud Computing in a meaningful scale. The most interesting one that I have heard so far is how DreamWorks, the animation film producer, is using Cloud for 50% of its rendering work. Here is an example of mission critical work where Cloud makes a lot of sense for.

Similarly, it is gratifying to note that corporate IT chiefs are thinking about what strategic advantages Cloud could offer beyond cost reduction through consolidation. We are likely to see a new batch of Cloud ideas in the next two years.


Related entries

* What's in it for corporate memebers, modular Cloud through OpenStack: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/GXPX1m5KDHD

* OpenStack Foundation annoucned: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/Tfig9mTkr59

* DreamWorks offload 50% of its computer processing to Cloud in 2011: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/9SnKr2q5DLy

* Shifting corporate view on what Cloud is for: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/8CgTJNQ8zme

Jobs is Dead, Long Live Jobs

In Memoriam

Reality Check - Cloud is but a Tool

Can you touch Cloud Computing?

No. (This is not a trick question.)

Just like rail tracks, Cloud computing is more of a resource/tool that lets you do stuff. And, just like the rail tracks, back when it was invented, there was a bonanza to build tracks.

Without boring you with a history lesson, suffices to say that while rail tracks perform a vital function in any economy today, the real money for the long haul is to be made somewhere else.

What can you do with the Cloud?

It is therefore interesting to see the most dominant Cloud Computing provider, Amazon, coming out with its own tablet, Kindle Fire. Admittedly, tablet is hot these days with the success of Apple iPad. But, a reasonable question is what does Amazon have to offer that would beat iPad?

Turns out that Amazon probably is not looking to beat Apple in the game of desirous tablets. For Amazon, it is about content and Fire is really more of a delivery channel. Through the Cloud, no less.

This plays to Amazon's strength. It already runs a world class physical content delivery operations with all the rights and access to these content. It already operates one of the most respected Cloud computing platform with a proven record in doing and sending "stuff" on a massive global scale. And, guess what, given what Amazon can do, instead of charging a premium for its design, it could go to the other extreme and sell Fire as a loss-leader.

Now the tablet game begins!


Related entries

* Amazon's tablet biz-model: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/5QFL4aEtV9n

* Amazon's CDN play: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/Vo2vLVQyDjW

* Amazon Silk could be the face of Cloud Computing to users: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104462346399481715282/posts/aVmBsW1BoPB