What is real cloud computing? (via Microsoft TechNet) | Canada's Association of Information Technology Professionals

Hello Folks,

My name is Pierre Roman and I’m a Technology Evangelist from Microsoft Canada. Some of you are already working with Cloud computing. Some of you are trying to figure out where and if it makes sense for your business. And some of you may not know a lot about Cloud computing past the commercials and the buzz words.

Just so we’re all on the same page NIST defines Cloud computing as follows:

“Cloud computing is 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. “

(National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011)

I use this definition because it covers all the bases for what we believe is real cloud computing. Those are:

1- On-demand self-service

2- Broad network access

3- Resource pooling

4- Rapid elasticity or as I like to call it “capacity on demand”

5- Measured service.

We’ve provided rock solid Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) with Microsoft Azure in the past, but since April 16th 2013 we are now delivering rock solid Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

That means that in an IaaS scenario, you provide and manage the OS, the middleware and the applications and we provide, support and manage the virtualization platform, the storage and the network. All of which is regulated by SLAs that cover Virtual server availability.

The great thing is that Windows Azure IaaS uses the same Hyper-V virtualization service built-into Windows Server 2012, which means that you can create and use a common set of machines to use both in your own environment and on the Cloud. That also means you manage your Cloud environment the same way you would manage your “on premise” machines, using the same tools, and skills you already have. Windows Azure becomes an extension of your organization’s IT fabric, not just a fancier way to describe hosting.

We’ll manage the Datacenter… All you need is to manage your business.

I encourage you to check it out!

Try Windows Server 2012 right now on Windows Azure

And be sure to attend The Windows Azure for IT Professionals Jump Start on May 16^th 2013 (9:00am-5:00pm PDT) on the Microsoft Virtual Academy

Learn more

· Virtual Machines Overview

· Manage disks and images

· Windows virtual machines: how to guides, common tasks, and best practices

· Linux Virtual Machines: How to Guides, Common Tasks, Best Practices, and Partner Solutions

· Microsoft server software support for Windows Azure virtual machines

Microsoft Canada wants to help you become the Cloud “go-to” guy or gal for your organization with the skills to help you get there. In the process you could win the $5000 Grand Prize!*

Simply sign-up and download the qualifying evaluation software or take the selected Microsoft Virtual Academy courses and you’re good to go.

Cheers!

Pierre Roman, MCITP, ITIL | Technology Evangelist
Twitter| Facebook| LinkedIn

*No purchase necessary. Contest open to residents of Canada. Contest closes June 30, 2013 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. There is one grand prize of $5,000 available to be won. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. For full rules, including entry, eligibility requirements and complete prize description, review the full terms and Conditions.

Resources, Tools and Training

Azure IaaS Update

Learn more about the new Windows Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) update and try out the free 90 day trail for yourself.

Windows XP End of Support

With the end of extended support for Windows XP less than a year away, we've gotten some questions about what it means for and your organization. We have answers to those questions, as well as some great resources you can use to plan your migration from Windows XP. Read more >>

Now on MVA: Tuning SQL Server 2012 for SharePoint 2013

Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Baer and MicroTechPoint CEO & Founder Brian Alderman deliver an engaging Jump Start course that is full of enlightening demos. The course, which is available on demand, covers best practices and techniques to help IT pros improve SharePoint performance, availability, and security with SQL Server. Learn More>>

What is real cloud computing? (via Microsoft TechNet)

via Microsoft TechNet Hello Folks, My name is Pierre Roman and I’m a Technology Evangelist from Microsoft Canada. Some of you are already working with Cloud computing. Some of you are trying to figure out where and if it makes sense for your business. And some of you may not know a lot about Cloud computing past the commercials and the buzz words. Just so we’re all on the same page NIST defines Cloud computing as follows: “Cloud computing is 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. “ (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011) I use this definition because it covers all the bases for what we believe is real cloud computing. Those are: 1- On-demand self-service 2- Broad network access 3- Resource pooling 4- Rapid elasticity or as I like to call it “capacity on demand” 5- Measured service. We’ve provided rock solid Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) with Microsoft Azure in the past, but since April 16th 2013 we are now delivering rock solid Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). That means that in an IaaS scenario, you provide and manage the OS, the middleware and the applications and we provide, support and manage the virtualization platform, the storage and the network. All of which is regulated by SLAs that cover Virtual server availability. The great thing is that Windows Azure IaaS uses the same Hyper-V virtualization service built-into Windows Server 2012, which means that you can create and use a common set of machines to use both in your own environment and on the Cloud. That also means you manage your Cloud environment the same way you would manage your “on premise” machines, using the same tools, and skills you already have. Windows Azure becomes an extension of your organization’s IT fabric, not just a fancier way to describe hosting. We’ll manage the Datacenter… All you need is to manage your business. I encourage you to check it out! Try Windows Server 2012 right now on Windows Azure And be sure to attend The Windows Azure for IT Professionals Jump Start on May 16^th 2013 (9:00am-5:00pm PDT) on the Microsoft Virtual Academy Learn more · Virtual Machines Overview · Manage disks and images · Windows virtual machines: how to guides, common tasks, and best practices · Linux Virtual Machines: How to Guides, Common Tasks, Best Practices, and Partner Solutions · Microsoft server software support for Windows Azure virtual machines Microsoft Canada wants to help you become the Cloud “go-to” guy or gal for your organization with the skills to help you get there. In the process you could win the $5000 Grand Prize!* Simply sign-up and download the qualifying evaluation software or take the selected Microsoft Virtual Academy courses and you’re good to go. Cheers! Pierre Roman, MCITP, ITIL \| Technology Evangelist Twitter\| Facebook\| LinkedIn No purchase necessary. Contest open to residents of Canada. Contest closes June 30, 2013 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. There is one grand prize of $5,000 available to be won. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. For full rules, including entry, eligibility requirements and complete prize description, review the full terms and Conditions.* Resources, Tools and Training Azure IaaS Update Learn more about the new Windows Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) update and try out the free 90 day trail for yourself. Windows XP End of Support With the end of extended support for Windows XP less than a year away, we've gotten some questions about what it means for and your organization. We have answers to those questions, as well as some great resources you can use to plan your migration from Windows XP. Read more >> Now on MVA: Tuning SQL Server 2012 for SharePoint 2013 Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Baer and MicroTechPoint CEO & Founder Brian Alderman deliver an engaging Jump Start course that is full of enlightening demos. The course, which is available on demand, covers best practices and techniques to help IT pros improve SharePoint performance, availability, and security with SQL Server. Learn More>>