GMO Cloud

Monitoring of Cloud Based Applications

While the general principles are similar to those used for more traditional software, there are significant differences caused by the tendency of cloud-based applications to increase and reduce their instances.

Any cloud-based application must naturally come with a full set of monitoring tools. After all, what use is an e-commerce application that attracts clients, helps them make selections and then fails at a critical juncture? In the traditional web-server environment, administrators create elaborate checklists and track the application performance at critical points. The same is required in the cloud environment – but with important differences.

To begin with, the entire cloud infrastructure is not within your grasp as with traditionally hosted infrastructure. You are thus restricted to the diagnostic tools that the cloud service provider offers (ranging from basic to comprehensive). Alternately, you can create another application that has some privileges over your main application and runs a diagnostic program in the background. This diagnostic application works as a user and checks that all user functions are available and returning sensible values.

A key issue is the large numbers of virtual machines that can be created and destroyed in the course of a working day. Your diagnostic tools have to cater to this changing number and keep a health check on each. This certainly complicates the scenario somewhat.

New diagnostic software is able to monitor many more parts of the software than before. Superior checking algorithms mean there are fewer “false positives”.

Here are a few of the testing methodologies in widespread use:

Direct testing – This is the simplest method where the checking tools mimic a real user. Standard parameters are supplied to the software as a user response and standard answers are expected. Any variation is obviously cause for further checking. In addition to the returned values, the software also monitors the time taken to produce a response. While there can be variations, any large variations are a cause for concern and must be investigated.

Back end processes – Some diagnostic software check out the back-end processes. They will examine the database and send test queries to the server to check response and performance.

Network and other infrastructure – The delivery infrastructure needs to be checked out regularly. This means the various routers, switches and other hardware including the DNS servers. Testing also includes firewalls and other gateways. A glitch in any of these could mean the application is up-and-running but the end-user will still not get work done. The idea behind such testing is to ensure that while cloud service is available, security and networking devices do not interfere with service delivery.

Monitor Big Data Clusters – If your application uses big data, your diagnostics must be able to check out your Hadoop clusters to ensure that processing is going on as desired. Failure of cluster components will degrade application performance sharply.

Modern diagnostics for cloud applications handle this very fluid situation competently. The results are presented graphically in a very easy-to-understand manner, making for more robust cloud-based applications.

A special challenge is posed by mobile users. If the diagnostic results are seen by a user using her smartphone – say, the CIO checking out the services while in a meeting – then the dashboards have to be constructed in a way that the smartphone can handle. This means prioritizing the data to be displayed rather than merely shrinking the display. This calls for special skills – GMO Cloud for instance, provides additional monitoring services for thorough checking of systems and applications.

In the second part of this paper, we will look for how test results are interpreted and analyzed.

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About the Guest Author:

Sanjay Srivastava has been active in computing infrastructure and has participated in major projects on cloud computing, networking, VoIP and in creation of applications running over distributed databases. Due to a military background, his focus has always been on stability and availability of infrastructure. Sanjay was the Director of Information Technology in a major enterprise and managed the transition from legacy software to fully networked operations using private cloud infrastructure. He now writes extensively on cloud computing and networking and is about to move to his farm in Central India where he plans to use cloud computing and modern technology to improve the lives of rural folk in India.

What Could the Cloud Be Like in 2013?

Cloud computing has brought down infrastructure costs like no other technology and has also increased (remote) access features in critical business models. The future looks even more promising than the current scenario, especially in 2013.

Collaboration of Private and Public cloud could be the biggest trend of 2013 as enterprises seek the best of both worlds. A hybrid cloud strategy providing functionality and reliability of both is guaranteed.

Speed will also dominate. Depending upon network bandwidth and speed, cloud based services could be deployed at rates never before imagined, benefiting end-customers reliant on bottom-line cloud-based services. These people will save time and money especially vis-a-vis account charges for service time.

Integration of mobile and cloud computing could become stronger. Mobile apps call out to back-end services resting on cloud-based platforms, resulting in seamless service delivery across national borders.

2013 may very well see the end of security myths as state of the art security firewalls, physical protection and security of data centers jumps skyward.

Nothing makes your business more portable than cloud computing, porting data and applications anywhere, all of which accessible via a mere internet connection. Backup and recovery measures might be fully loaded onto cloud-based platforms due to convenience, a case in point beingGMO Cloud’s add-on services on top of their IaaS offering.

Software development companies will be stressing over the importance of cloud like never before. Teams of engineers can work together from every nook and corner of Earth, buttressing quick and efficient development of software components.

2013 equals “bring your own device” (BYOD). We are seeing a paradigm-shift in work culture where the freedom and power of IT are actually given to users via a web-based interface.

Open-source cloud computing platforms may see new demand dimensions as they demonstrate ability to rival proprietary competitor platforms. They also have the flexibility to support a plethora of services, not to mention huge support it courtesy of open source tagging.

As far as service delivery is concerned, Software-as-a-Service models will continue to improve and provide faster, less-expensive user experiences via simpler interfaces. The number of platforms to access software as a service will increase as smartphones embrace cloud-based applications.

2013 will certainly be a year in which businesses will conduct their blue-skies thinking firmly among the clouds.

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About the Guest Author:

Mandira Srivastava is a fulltime freelance writer who specializes in technology, health and fitness, politics, and financial writing. Equipped with degree of mass communication and having worked for both private and corporate clients, I have experience meeting a wide range of writing requirements and styles.

Cloud Server vs Cloud VPS

You cannot be a cloud expert unless you are well-equipped to identify the different dimensions of the technology. First came the “as-a-service” models, then came the combination or hybrids to better address the varying needs of customers (ranging from individual end-users to MNCs).

Two of the most popular concepts are cloud server and cloud VPS. What is the difference between the two? Are they the same or are they only similar? Here is the explanation:

History

VPS is an older term used to describe the difference between a real “bare-metal” server and many virtualized OS’s running on a single real server. Now that cloud or virtualization has become the norm, VPS is used to define the amount of flexibility. An old VPS was usually on one server that had RAID 10 array. Cloud, however, uses a centralized SAN system for disk storage, with many separate hypervisors providing CPU and Memory for virtual servers.

What Relates and What Separates?

Both cloud server and cloud VPS are running on the same virtualized environment, which basically means CPU and memory come from the same hypervisor. “Cloud VPS” is different in that total resources for all VPS’s are set to one overall account. Also, the OS templates available are usually restricted for VPS.

“Cloud Server” tailors resources to the expanding or diminishing needs of the consumer, allowing for flexibility and cost savings. There are more OS templates to select from and plans can be changed. More than one hypervisor can also be used.

Thus “Cloud Server” versus “Cloud VPS” is a question of how much flexibility a user has. ”Cloud VPS” is restricted; “Cloud Server” is more flexible.

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About the Guest Author:

Bryan Kinney is a technical engineer at GMO Cloud. He has been working in the I.T. field for the last 18 years but have been into computers personally for 29 years.  Always loves good logical puzzles and non-logical human ones too.  Originally from the Northwest USA and can get into hiking and survival camping.

Social Media’s Worldwide Impact

How Social Media Can Help Your “Local” Business Reach International Customers

Social Media has transformed the way we communicate, socialize and gather information.  Rather than turning on the television to catch “Breaking News”, people access Social Media feeds via their smartphone, tablet or computer.  In late-2011, Social Media sites became a lifeline to those in the Northeast United States as Superstorm Sandy hit, communicating people’s safety to families and friends, communicating their difficulties to the authorities. For many, checking social media has become as morning coffee. Businesses large and small seized the opportunity to engage customers in ways like never before. 

While websites offer web presence, Social Media provides actual interaction, allowing businesses to increase followers and communicate instantaneously with them regardless of location. The key to success is developing a Social Media plan which not only generates followers, but sparks interest, for example:

Ensuring social media links are included on every page of your website: Make it easy and convenient for people to connect with you. Most companies will place social links on their HOME page, but neglect to do so on the rest of the website. This is a missed opportunity to generate more customer “hooks.”

Conducting a draw: Offer an incentive or prize once you reach a certain number of followers. The bigger the prize, the greater the chances your followers will encourage friends to connect with you.

Offering coupons and/or specials:  Not only are you generating interest in your product with a “call to action”, you are providing an incentive to buy. Encourage your followers to share the offer with Social Media connections.

Interesting posts are the key to sustaining followers. For example:

Make it all about your customers: Offer useful information, such as tips, advice, articles. Often, companies try too hard to “make the sale” rather than developing a relationship with followers.

Interact, Interact, Interact!!!: Explore opportunities to engage your followers. This could be as simple as asking them to comment on a photo you post. Encouraging comments and feedback is also an excellent way to gauge interest in your products and even evaluate the demand for additional product lines.

Highlight your customers and clients: Of course, be sure to get their permission before posting.  Encourage customers to send in photos of themselves using your product. Post photos from special events or sales.  The opportunities are endless!

If you haven’t already done so, it is important to consider developing a Social Media strategy for your business – NOT as a replacement for traditional advertising and marketing, but as a vital complement.

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About the Guest Author:

Gina Smith writes freelance articles for magazines, online outlets and publications on behalf of a number of companies, including http://spanning.com. Smith covers the latest topics in the business, golf, tourism, technology and entertainment industries.

Monetizing Online Games in Japan

Japanese games have historically made heads spin regardless of the country. Although handheld consoles have taken these games into the 21st century with great graphics, the real and unseen revolution has lain in the incorporation of collaborative games. One of the most successful handheld games with its own ecosystem was Pokemon. At its core, it was a single-player game card for kids but – ingeniously – included the ability to share or transfer ownership of in-game creatures. Extending this ability to internet games has been a real money maker.

Monetizing in-game commodities has been a moneymaker, with several MMORPG and browser-based social games profiting from in-game transactions far more than their US counterparts.

Monetization works best in Japan because the target market never seems to shrink, regardless of the docile state f the rest of the economy. Japanese online spending is particularly high. This translates to the Japanese having the second highest online spending per capita in the world.

Related to the individual wealth and spending habits is the ease with which the Japanese can spend on online games. Japan has a higher than 99% 3G telephony coverage, and almost everyone has access to mobile games. Handsets (both smartphones and feature phones) have apps pre-installed allowing for mobile payment. Most feature phones have built-in apps for paying train and bus tickets, paid as part of the monthly billing statement.

Japan is a gaming nation, as can be seen on television game shows. Among the most popular games are social card games like Pokemon which have tie-ups to anime and manga and are thus self-promoting. Up to 70% of the most popular games are social card games.

The increasing popularity of social card games and the ease with which these can be distributed via mobile phones has shifted marketing strategies among major video game makers. These companies have also introduced social card game apps.

For outsiders, there is still a sizable challenge when entering the Japanese gaming market – huge knowledge gaps currently exist (and which articles on this website are hopefully filling in!) Japan-based firms such as GMO Cloud are best-placed to offer marketing advice and started to offer localization aid the entry of these foreign companies.

With tie-ups on intellectual property holdings and established distribution channels, mobile games will continue to boom. The Japanese willingness to pay for games and level-ups means it remains as lucrative as ever for foreign-based firms with the right localized, culturalized approach.

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About the Guest Author:

Rodolfo Lentejas, Jr. is a fulltime freelance writer based in Toronto. He is the founder of the PostSckrippt, a growing online writing business dedicated to producing top quality, original and fresh content. To know more about him, please visit www.postsckrippt.ca. Like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.