GMO Cloud

February 18, 2013 | Uncategorized

This is an extension of my earlier post where I have discussed increased server load due to heavy traffic during certain events like Valentine’s Day. Fluctuating demand on infrastructure is not isolated to such instances. There are many situations where one would examine cloud computing as a feasible alternative to traditional web server based traditional architecture.

The technical conundrum

Managing fluctuating traffic demand and consequent infrastructure requirement has been a sensitive topic due to several reasons. On the hand, the tech guys in the trenches want to be certain that their infrastructure is fail safe. This means they cater to requirements by adding 20 – 25% to the calculated maximum load. This over cautious approach means the enterprise has to bear the cost of needless infrastructure. Obviously the management will see red (if they really know what’s happening). To be fair, it’s the tech guys in the trench who take the blame if anything goes wrong. They are justified in keeping their yard arm clear.

Cloud Computing – an elegant solution

This is where the beauty of cloud computing comes in.  The tech guys need no longer worry about maximum load. They can now work on the base load. Their in-house infrastructure can now be optimized and costs can be slashed. One can opt for a private cloud if there are other concerns like security and fear of compromising their data.  Sensitive applications can now run within their own secure environment while other applications can be moved to a public cloud – like eating the cake and having it too.

Candidates for private-public cloud architecture

Following businesses must look at public cloud for optimizing their infrastructure.

1. Seasonal fluctuation in traffic: I discussed seasonal workload factors in my earlier post. Online Shopping experiences seasonal fluctuation in their traffic – Holiday shopping during New Year having maximum load. Such businesses may also experience surge in traffic during times of special offers and discounts. Deploying public cloud would take care of this increased traffic. The server instances can be added within short notice and withdrawn once the critical period is over.
2. Music and video download – streaming media activities: These are ideal candidates for public cloud computing services. Typically, one would experience heavy traffic during the weekends and leisure period. Netflix has optimized their infrastructure by adding public cloud computing services to their traditional data center operations. A mix of traditional and public cloud computing is ideal for these services.
3. E-commerce daily workload: Typically these online businesses experience maximum traffic during the day. In effect, the infrastructure remains idle during the night leading to wastage of resources. Moving to a cloud based architecture would immensely reduce cost of running such businesses.
4. E-Learning Enterprises: 

Here are some figures on E-Learning from the Japanese market:

The Network-based e-learning market has experienced 1.8% increase from the previous year to 68.4 billion yen (Yano Economic Research Institute). Out of this Business to Business has contributed   56.2 billion yen (same as the previous year) whereas for Business to Consumer market it has been   12.2 billion yen (increase of 10.9% from the previous year). The network-based e-learning market using mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet PCs has also been rapidly growing. Most E-Learning enterprises would experience oscillating demand for their services, maximum during the day and minimum during night – ideal for public cloud computing.

Conclusion

In today’s environment of cut throat competition and cost cutting, online businesses have to look at options to minimize their expenditure on infrastructure. However there are security concerns and reasons which deter enterprises migrating to a cloud based service. An ideal combination of private/traditional infrastructure with public cloud computing services can lead to better efficiencies and reduced cost

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About the Guest Author:

Sankarambadi Srinivasan, ‘Srini’, is a maverick writer, technopreneur,   geek and online marketing enthusiast rolled into one.  He began his career as a Naval weapon specialist.  Later, he sold his maiden venture and   became head of an offshore Database administration company in Mumbai. He moved on as  Chief Technology Officer of one of the largest online entities, where he led consolidation of 300 online servers and introduced several Web 2.0 initiatives. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication.