Cloud computing services give information on demand and the payment is usually based on usage. They range from applications to servers, to virtual desktops and storage. These services are used by corporates and governments to store data. They also use these cloud factory services for infrastructure needs, for example, CRM, database, etc. Others choose to use the cloud computing services to share and protect their content and also enable their access via any web-connected device. This article will point out the factors that should be considered when using cloud computing services.
One of the factors to consider should be business continuity. This is the process and procedures that are put in place to make sure that essential functions must continue even during or after a crisis. The business continuance plan prevents the disruption of critical services and regains full functioning as quickly as possible. A backup disk is normally stored in the data center where applications are always on. This means if something, for example, a major outage were to happen in one area, the application would still keep running. Without this plan, things can fall apart easily especially in times of disaster.
The other factor that should be really considered is back-up and recovery. Systems can be backed up in several ways and one can use different types of media to store the backups. When evaluating backup solutions, you have to consider the on-site, off-site, tape and disk. On-site means storing the backup and servers in the same place which provides quick recoveries but risks the backup. Off-site store backup and servers in different locations. Tapes are old technology and can be a bit slower when recovering data but it is also cheaper and great for archiving. Disks are also less expensive and the types are determined by speed and recovery requirements.
One should also consider an always on the system. It is a fairly expensive system since it requires infrastructure and database changes as well as application architectures. In an always on the system, traffic is sent to one or multiple locations before it gets to your servers. If a location is unavailable, then the traffic is automatically sent to an available location. When the location that was unavailable comes back online, traffic is then routed there once again hence providing a system that is always on.
Disaster recovery requires servers and storage available to be sent to a secondary site in case there occurs a significant outage or disaster. The disaster recovery sites do not exist for minor inconveniences but are put in place for true failure which occurs for longer periods of time. The failovers require a lot of time and technical intervention which is not close to trivial.
Therefore, Hybrid Solutions MA is the way to go when considering cloud computing services.
In conclusion, aspects such as business continuance, backup and recovery, disaster recovery and the always on factor, should be carefully considered and put in place for successful cloud computing services.