Cloud Computing Defined

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The term cloud computing is being applied to numerous types of computing applications, some of which are simply descriptions of remote servers or applications. Here is the more meaningful definition of cloud computing.

Cloud Does Not Mean Remote

Cloud computing does not simply mean remote processing, remote applications, remote servers, or remote storage of data.

While there are many such applications branding themselves as "cloud computing," none of these uses of the word "cloud" represent either new technology or new models for information processing.

Nevertheless, there are many companies, investment banks and media sources using the term cloud computing to represent any type of "remote" application using networking to connect the source of information (server or computer system) and the user of the information (human or otherwise).

While connection to remote servers and systems is a key element of cloud computing, by itself the remote connection is not important.

It is the other elements of cloud computing that are transformational and revolutionary. This can be seen by examining the functionality of smartphones.

The Key Elements Of Cloud Computing

The best example for the revolutionary nature of cloud computing is the smartphone, such as a Droid or iPhone (but not Blackberry devices).

Here are the key elements of the cloud computing revolution that all must be present for us to view an application as "cloud computing":

• Input/output device that is wirelessly connected to remote servers and systems
• Connection is not dedicated to a single server (a one-to-many relationship)
• Integration of data from disparate systems to create meaningful new information
• Independence of input/output device from data and servers

These aspects of the cloud computing model are revolutionary and will eventually transform the entire computing industry.

A smartphone is the best current example of the cloud computing revolution. iPads are also reasonable examples, although their only benefit in the cloud over smartphones is physical size.

SmartPhones As An Example Of Cloud Computing

The smartphone illustrates all of the aspects of cloud computing listed above.

Wireless Connection: In the cloud, there is no dependence on a single networking standard.

Smartphones are connected using multiple networking standards. For example, a smartphone can connect using WiFi, 3G, GPS satellite data, and normal cellular information.

In addition, the connectivity is flexible. For example, a data packet during a single application's request from a server might be delivered using WiFi at one point, and then switched to 3G once the WiFi network becomes unavailable.

The ability to use multiple types of connections is a key element of cloud computing.

Connection To Multiple Information Sources: Another key element to cloud computing is that the input/output device is not restricted to accessing a single server or system.

It is commonly accepted that an internet browser can access any server on the web. Smartphones, however, can access other types of information services without using either the internet or a browser.

For example, GPS networks and cellular based services are completely independent of the internet or internet availability. A service or device that requires internet access should not be considered to be a "cloud" device.

The smartphone uses data from both GPS and the cellular location functionality to provide meaningful information, often integrated with information gathered from a separate source.

Integration Of Information At Input/Output Device: Integration of information from disparate sources is where the transformational nature of cloud computing becomes a revolutionary force.

In the cloud, data from disparate sources can be integrated at the input/output device for enhanced usefulness.

The most obvious example is integrating GPS location data with applications that tell you what type of restaurants, hotels, or gas stations are nearby.

However, this is only the beginning of the types of information that can be integrated.

For example, there are applications for the iPhone for golfers with interesting aspects. While the smartphone tells the application where the golfer currently is located, the application calculates the distance to the green. Information gathered from a weather service can be integrated to calculate the wind speed and direction (albeit the data from that source is both imprecise and not current).

Using this information from disparate sources, the application can then calculate both the club to be used and the offset angle from the straight line to the green that should be used.

Of course, for many golfers, this additional information is of little help in improving their game, but this application serves as a good example of how information can be integrated in cloud computing.

While much of the applications integrating data seem trivial currently, the potential for integration of information from multiple sources is tremendous.

Data Independence Of Input/Output Device: While it appears that there is numerous data stored on a smartphone, nearly all of it is a replication of data stored on a remote server. (The principal exception to this rule on most smartphones is pictures and videos taken with the device, although there is nothing technical preventing the uploading of these pictures.)

For example, in a Droid, the calendar, contact, and email information is actually stored remotely on Google servers. If the Droid phone is lost, all of this information can be easily retrieved and reinstalled on a new phone.

While actual applications are installed on smartphones, there is no requirement that any meaningful data be stored. There are minor exceptions such as cookies and username/password combinations, but almost all applications do not store, or do not need to store, the information on the input/output device.

This is the key characteristic of cloud computing that gives birth to the name "cloud."

The mobile input/output device itself is independent of all of the critical information needed to create a result. Once that result is obtained, it is stored on remote servers. It is as if the server systems accessed are both virtual and distant.

The cloud metaphor becomes meaningful in this sense if the various clouds in a normal sky are viewed as the remote "servers." All of the clouds in the distant sky, while separate, can be seen from one spot.

This metaphor is useful when looking at a particular implementation, application, or service to judge whether it deserves the name "cloud computing."

Is This Cloud Computing?

There are many types of applications being positioned as "cloud computing."

We believe the hype is only warranted when applied to applications that meet all four of our key elements of cloud computing, listed below:

• Input/output device that is wirelessly connected to remote servers and systems
• Connection is not dedicated to a single server (a one-to-many relationship)
• Integration of data from disparate systems to create meaningful new information
• Independence of input/output device from data and servers

An application that exhibits all of these elements can be considered part of the "cloud computing revolution."

There are many services and applications currently describing themselves as "cloud computing," yet do not show all four of the above elements.

Some of these play roles in helping the cloud computing revolution, but to truly understand the revolutionary nature of cloud computing, it is helpful to keep these four elemental features in mind.

Note: For more information on Cloud Computing, please refer to the new Briefing.com Research service, currently available without subscription at www.briefing.com/research

Comments may be emailed to the author, Robert V. Green, at aheadofthecurve@briefing.com