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Client / Cloud Computing
Copyright 2020, Faulkner Information Services. All Rights
Reserved.
Docid: 00021038
Publication Date: 2009
Publication Type: TUTORIAL
Preview
Client / cloud computing is a form of cloud-based computing that is
characterized by a direct, no "middle man" connection between a
computing client (consumer or enterprise user) and a commercial
cloud-based service provider (such as Azure, AWS, Google, Oracle Cloud, or Salesforce.com). The technology, in particular, could allow users to
bypass local IT departments and engage with cloud-based providers such
as Dropbox for a mode of operation branded "shadow IT." This tutorial takes a
look
at client / cloud computing and the various considerations that its
deployment incurs.
Report Contents:
- Executive Summary
- Related Reports
- The Evolution of Cloud Computing
- Current View of Client / Cloud Computing
- Outlook for Client / Cloud Computing
- Recommendations
- Web Links
Executive Summary
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"Client / Cloud" computing is a form of cloud-based computing that is
characterized by a direct – or no "middle man" – connection between a
computing client (consumer or enterprise user) and a commercial,
cloud-based service provider, such as such as Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google,
Oracle Cloud, or Salesforce.com.
| Related Faulkner Reports |
|
Guidelines: Migrating Enterprise Applications to the Cloud Tutorial |
|
Cloud Service Delivery Models & Market Leaders Market |
Significance
In particular, this capability holds a special significance in the enterprise
space as it allows enterprise users to effectively bypass local IT departments
and directly engage with cloud providers such as Dropbox, a mode of operation
branded "shadow IT."
Concerns
Of particular concern with this method, of course, is the potential to
sacrifice security for improved functionality or convenience. Of course,
advocates for client / cloud computing have become emboldened by the apparent
success of the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) movement in which enterprise users
lobbied enterprise management to allow the use of personal devices on enterprise
networks. Unfortunately, these devices – which are often of the consumer-grade
level – are frequently integrated into the enterprise infrastructure with little
IT involvement and even less IT oversight.
The Evolution of the Cloud
Computing
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The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines
cloud computing
as “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network
access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g.,
networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be
rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or
service provider interaction.”1 While the term “cloud computing” was coined no more than a decade
ago, the basic
concept has under-girded the computer industry for the last half century. Even the
1960s-era mainframe fit the definition of a “shared pool of configurable
computing resources.”
Some of the prior manifestations that led to the current cloud-based
computing – and client / cloud deployments – are summarized in Table 1.
|
Era |
Cloud Computing Model |
Description |
Cloud Composition |
Cloud Type |
Cloud Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1960s |
Mainframe |
A central enterprise Compute |
An array of disk packs and |
Private |
Proprietary enterprise |
|
1970s |
Service Bureau |
The first true cloud – and |
Service bureau data |
Public |
Proprietary provider |
|
1970s |
Minicomputer |
A smaller version of the Minicomputers enabled the |
An array of disk packs and |
Private |
Proprietary enterprise |
|
1980s |
Personal Computer |
A microcomputer, e.g., |
Hard drive and removable |
Private |
Proprietary provider |
|
1990s |
Client / Server |
A local area network |
Print/file server |
Private |
Proprietary enterprise |
|
2000s |
Application Service |
An early Software as a |
Service provider data |
Public |
The Internet |
|
2000s |
Cloud Computing – Software |
The provisioning of |
Service provider data |
Public |
The Internet |
|
2010s |
Cloud Computing – |
The provisioning of |
Service provider data |
Public |
The Internet |
|
2010s |
Client / Cloud |
The provisioning of cloud |
Service provider data |
Public |
The Internet |
Current View
of Client / Cloud Computing
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The deployment of a client / cloud computing model is designed to (a) offer
an enduring model, not temporary trend, and (b) shine light on the need for
different types of security and management.
Applications
At the basic level, client / cloud computing can be used to:
- Accelerate cloud-based and mobile technology, including smartphones and
tablets. - Integrate technology across multiple platforms.
- Migrate functions to next-gen client endpoints.
- Develop new, more-powerful client endpoints.
Outlook for
Client / Cloud Computing
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report]
Overall, the use of client / cloud computing technology could potentially advance
utility computing, reverse trends toward desktop virtualization, and accelerate
the use of thin clients and hybrid thin clients.
Utility Computing
With the maturing of client / cloud computing, the dream of utility computing,
first articulated in the 1990s, may become reality. In its most
basic form, utility computing provides a process for accessing computing
services, as is found, for example, with Google Apps. On a more pure level,
however, client / cloud computing seems to hold the potential for future computing
services that are delivered as “utilities” such as telephone, gas, and
electricity services.
Extending the metaphor, a
user could invoke his or her endpoint device to “plug” directly into a
cloud-based infrastructure. In that respect, the current client / cloud model – in which extraneous enterprise
elements are removed and the client negotiates directly with the cloud – is
often viewed as utility computing.
Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization – which is also referred to as VDI (virtual desktop
infrastructure)
– is a technology for accessing an interactive, in-screen image of one’s
desktop from any PC equipped with a high-speed Internet connection. Desktop
virtualization also permits enterprise IT staff to centrally manage and maintain
employee desktop aspects.
Today’s enterprise user often relies on a combination of on-premise enterprise and
cloud-based applications; this mixture would constitute his or her “desktop.” Whether
working from their offices, at home (as teleworkers), or on the road, employees
require access to their enterprise desktop; in other words, they require access
to the enterprise
anytime, anywhere. Since cloud applications can be accessed over the Internet, the real
value of
desktop virtualization lies in its ability to make on-premise enterprise
applications available anytime, anywhere. As more private enterprise
applications
are abandoned in favor of public cloud alternatives, and more
proprietary enterprise applications
are migrated to the cloud, the need for employee desktops is diminished.
Eventually, when all enterprise applications become cloud-enabled, the
employee
desktop is reduced to an Internet browser. When this occurs, desktop
virtualization becomes largely irrelevant.
As enterprises begin to embrace client / cloud computing – if only to reduce an
organization’s local IT investment – it is expected that the use of desktop virtualization
will decline.
Thin Client / Cloud
Another factor to consider is the use of “thin clients.” A thin client acts
as a “bare bones” computer that allows users to access applications and data
that are stored on a central server that is somewhat reminiscent of a
mainframe-era “dumb” terminal. This technology, at its core, helps to scale
an organization’s IT infrastructure. One other option cloud be the use of a hybrid thin client / cloud computing
model. This type of deployment can help extend security and improve remote user
accessibility.
Recommendations
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At a minimum, client / cloud-based deployments should emphasize:
- Incorporating smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
- Encouraging personal device security and backup.
- Following business-recommended protocols.
- Identifying trusted – versus non-trusted – services.
- Amending business continuity plans for future cloud-based services,
service failures, and incidents. - Cooperating with other public- and private-sector entities to share
cloud-based best-practices.
Web Links
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-
Amazon Web Services: https://aws.amazon.com/
- Google: http://www.google.com/
- IBM: http://www.ibm.com/
- Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/
- Oracle: http://www.oracle.com/
- Salesforce.com: http://www.salesforce.com/
- US National Institute of Standards and Technology:
http://www.nist.gov/
Cloud Security Alliance: http://www.cloudsecurityalliance.org/
Dropbox: http://www.dropbox.com/
References
- 1 Grance, Timothy and Peter Mell. “The NIST
Definition of Cloud Computing.” US National Institute of Standards and
Technology, SP 800-145. September 2011.
About the Author
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Brady Hicks is an
editor with Faulkner Information Services. He writes about computer and
networking hardware, software, communications networks and equipment, and the
Internet.
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