Cloud Management, what is it and why should you care?

What are the major drawbacks to using a public cloud (vs. a private or managed one)? Latency issues are a fairly common occurrence (with public clouds), this is often largely due to the remote location of resources in relation to the client. Then of course there is the issue of PCI compliance in a public cloud setting, which isn't a problem for some, but is a glaring issue for others. What about security? Though a big-time, major security flub hasn't occurred on / in a public cloud as of yet, it seems to be the most likely place for one to take place. Because managed clouds are privately owned and operated, they generally are the most secure, security-wise. Also, since access to a managed cloud is limited and monitored, it is without question one of the most secure ways to utilize cloud computing. These are but a few of the client-specific issues that typically push individuals (and groups) toward setting up a private cloud.

At its very heart, a Cloud Management is simply a private cloud that a knowledgeable and dependable organization has granted you access to. You set up your partition based on the available options, and then they deploy it to you (or your organization). The best part about a managed cloud however is the fact that they are often meticulously maintained, extremely secure, and exclusive (meaning, you won't be rubbing elbows/data with just anyone). In fact, most managed clouds have a 100% uptime, high availability guarantee (of some sort) in place. This is usually accompanied by perks like 24 / 7 support and automatic off-site backups (in case of disasters).

Setting up a typical managed cloud service is essentially a three step process. First, you choose your power requirements, then things like your proposed OS, and finally, any other additional service components. This of course means making informed decisions about how much RAM you will likely need (usually around 1-10 GB with most typical managed clouds), as well as picking the appropriate operating system (usually either windows enterprise or data center). As a final step most managed cloud providers will offer their customers a mini-buffet of additional service components which can be added to their service model. This will usually include items like:

• CPanel
• Additional IP addresses
• MS SQL
• SAN storage
• Antivirus software / protection
• VPN
• Internet transfer rate
• Offsite backup and disaster recovery

These additional components are usually offered at extremely affordable prices, and are certainly worth looking into if you're serious about cloud computing.

The biggest perk of utilizing a managed private cloud in place of a public one has to be the support structure. Managed clouds often employ support teams which operate on rotation and are available 24 / 7 - 365 days a year. In the event of a disaster, security breach, or any other problem you can think of, they will be on hand nearly instantly to not only correct any issues, but also to secure your data. This is especially useful for businesses, which not only need to ensure that their data is backed-up on a continuous basis, but also need to eliminate downtime. In terms of reliability, a managed cloud is almost impossible to top.

A managed cloud is basically halfway between being a public cloud and a private one. For those looking for the features, seclusion, and security found on a private cloud, without having do dish out a fortune, a managed cloud is definitely the way to go. They are not only more secure, but also generally more customizable; which can be extremely beneficial for businesses that have specific requirements that need addressing. But, as previously suggested, the real area where managed clouds shine is in customer service. For example, if you run a business that is heavily dependent on computing, downtime essentially translates into loss of profit(s). In this way, a managed cloud is an elegant and inexpensive way to ensure that you are always connected and secure.