December 01, 2009

Could Ubuntu get enterprises to finally embrace the cloud?

Ubuntu's ability to act as a gateway between on-premise IT and multiple clouds, using technology you probably already know, provides a much-need baby step for IT

The Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud (UEC) allows you to build your own private cloud on existing hardware platforms that already run (or can run) Ubuntu Server, which is pretty much most of the Intel-based servers you have on hand. UEC is really just an implantation of the Eucalyptus cloud computing architecture, which is interface-level compatible with Amazon.com's cloud. This means that most who understand and deal with AWS will find UEC to be an on-premise extension of that technology, generally speaking.

The UEC architecture uses front-end computing that functions as the "controller," and one more "node" system using either KVM or Xen virtualization technology for running system images. Note that you cannot use just any OS image; it has to be prepared for use within UEC. A few basic images are provided by Canonical, the developer of UEC.

[ Get the no-nonsense explanations and advice you need to take real advantage of cloud computing in the InfoWorld editors' 21-page Cloud Computing Deep Dive PDF special report, featuring an exclusive excerpt from David Linthicum's new book on cloud architecture. | Stay up on the cloud with InfoWorld's Cloud Computing Report newsletter. ]

The larger selling point here is the on-premise compatibility with Amazon Web Services. Those who use Amazon.com's EC2 -- there are legions of such users right now -- will be familiar with Amazon.com's S3, which allows you to persist data for use in the cloud. Eucalyptus offers a similar technology, called Walrus, which is interface-compatible with S3. Thus, if you're already an S3 shop, moving to this technology should not be much of a stretch.

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cmaurand 2-Dec-09 1:33pm
I work for an insurance company. The "cloud" isn't even on our radar screens for a whole host of security, privacy and reliability reasons. We're so not going there.

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