Follow up- Azure Cloud Computing

I have been posting about cloud computing in some of my recent blogs. I have talked about the MySQL new feature that allows the database users to use a more dynamic language that is transferable among the in-cloud database and so on. I have then come across the introduction of Azure in which i mentioned it would be soon. Well, it's official now; Microsoft Azure will launch on January first of the coming year 2010. Furthermore, I continued to talk about one of the largest database centers which is located in Chicago. We have come across the brilliant mechanism behind storing the data in servers which then are kept in containers/trailers; this helps cut operating, overhead, space, and time costs. At a very recent live blog in California , LA particularly, Microsoft chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie talked about a number of plans that have come into live this year and ones that are going to be launched next year. In the following paragraphs, I'm going to sum up the main points mentioned in the conference about Microsoft Azure and its updates/features.

The first thing to mention is the location of the cloud servers/databases; According to Ozzie, the plan is to run azure in two centers in each region. For example, in the US, Azure is going to run in facilities located in Chicago and San Antonio. In Europe, Azure is going to run in facilities located in Dublin and Amesterdam. In Asia, the system will run in facilities located in Singapore and Hong Kong. Coming back again to the new approach Microsoft is taking with regards to housing its server/data. It is moving servers from rack into containers. For further information on this housing mechanism, click here. Second, Ozzie has mentioned an Azure subsystem called Dallas. It is an open data marketplace that is both public and commercial. The idea behind this system is the mixing of public and commercial data. Ozzie also highlighted the early partners/customers of the Azure cloud system. NASA was one of the customers who has already been using Azure and Dallas. The fact that NASA is using azure can help boost customer confidence and sales of this product.

After Ozzie concluded his presentation, Muglia, the president of Microsoft's Server and Tools Business, took over and directly shifted into a broader approach stating that cloud computing is not only an infrastructure but also an application model. Muglia then announced project Sydney ; a service that when implemented will allow businesses to connect their servers to the cloud/ Azure servers. I think this would be helpful to businesses knowing that Dallas is incorporated in Azure as well which can give businesses the option to view public or commercial data marketplace. In conclusion, with NASA, InfoUSA, AP online, Kelley Blue Book, and Domino's Pizza already implementing Microsoft Azure and its available services/features, it seems that Microsoft is entering the market with steady feet. this could only mean, good luck to the other competitors.

Microsoft Data Center

Following my last post which was about Amazon and its latest option editions to its in-cloud database, I decided to write about Microsoft data centers. In this article, a visit to considerably one of the largest data centers in the world, which happens to be in Chicago, is presented. Microsoft Azure which is going to be launched soon is based on cloud computing. This is mainly the reason for having this massive data center. This size of this facility is about 700,000 square feet which will definitely qualify it as one of the world's largest. As of the moment, it seems that the upper hand in cloud computing is Amazon with its service suite. However, when Microsoft Azure launches, the game might change and competition is going to be more intense. In the following paragraphs, a general outlook at the Microsoft data center and the philosophy behind it is going to be discussed.

Starting with the outside of the center; all you can see is really a number of trailers parked outside which makes one wonder what is inside them. This brings us to the inside of the trailers; it is what will make it all happen for Microsoft cloud computing initiation. Each of the trailers contains a number of servers ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 that could be serving up email services, instant messaging management, or running potential applications for Microsoft Azure. Moving on and inside the center, each of the four raised floor server rooms occupy 12,000 square feet with an average of 3 megawatts on consumption. Even though Microsoft was open about its data center, it decided to keep critical information a secret. For example, the names of the employees and the types and brands of servers used in its enormous facility.

An issue worth mentioning is the sidekick failure. A huge failure of the server in one of Microsoft facilities has drawn the fear of cloud computing. This, if not responded to well, might influence the success of Microsoft's cloud computing Azure. The server failure has caused inability to access data of thousands of sidekick users. Of course, Microsoft was quick enough to respond by mentioning that the functionality of Microsoft Azure requires having a back up system that will be implemented when the launching take place. In addition, Microsoft realizes that forecasting Azure capacity requirements would be challenging. It has specified the potential data centers in case data capacity requests increase.

In conclusion, cloud computing is growing by the day with security as the main keyword.