To me the term “cloud computing” itself is so vague as be just about meaningless, yet it carries with it all kinds of connotations.
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, From up and down, and still somehow,It’s cloud illusions I recall,I really don’t know clouds, at all.– Joni Mitchell
I have so many questions.
- Does “cloud” imply virtualised?
- What’s the difference between a cloud host and a virtual host?
- What advantages are offered by cloud hosts vs physical hosts?
- Or a cloud host vs a VPS?
- How do cloud architectures differ?
- How does cloud hosting differ as applications scale up to very large?
- Or down to very small?
- Are there applications that should not be run on cloud services? Why?
This coming Friday November 5th I’ll be hosting the VoIP Users Conference call when we have a panel discussion on cloud computing and its application in telecom.
To help clear away the fog presented by the passing cloud front we’re assembling a panel of people with specific experience in cloud applications. The panel includes:
Eric Chamberlain, Founder of RF.com
- Presenter to Astricon 2009 on running Asterisk in the Amazon EC2 cloud.
Jason Goecke, Tropo
- Asterisk developer, founder of Adhearsion, now with Voxeo
tbd*, Aretta Communications
- Provider of virtualized Asterisk hosting based in Atlanta GA.
Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder
Also publishes a new site called Small Cloud Builder.
I’m hoping that these folks, along with the VUC regulars, can provide some enlightenment as to whether the cloud computing hype matches the reality, and how it can be used to our best advantage. Hopefully we’ll tap into the wisdom of the collective to bring some clarity to the matter.
* participation yet to be confirmed.