Cloud storage applications How far away are we?

Cloud storage is not just storage, it is more applications. Application storage is a storage device that integrates the function of application software, which not only has the function of data storage, but also has the function of application software, which can be regarded as a collection of servers and storage devices. The development of application storage technology can reduce the number of servers in cloud storage, reduce the cost of system construction, reduce the single point fault and performance bottleneck in the system, reduce the data transmission link, provide system performance and efficiency, and ensure the efficient and stable operation of the whole system. I'm afraid very few it technologies will be as unpredictable as the cloud. On the one hand, it is illusory, it is difficult to explain, even the definition of it by different agencies or manufacturers is also different, on the other hand, it is within reach, various types of services and products everywhere. So some users will be very confused: "How exactly should I apply cloud storage?" On this issue, whether users, analysts or manufacturers are struggling to find market acceptance points.

Private Cloud Application Practice: Application Focus

Private cloud considerations for data security are more focused on external attacks and internal leaks, while at the business level it is more important to ensure the performance and efficiency of the application.

At present, companies in the industry for private cloud implementation, although different, but they focus on a point is the same, that is the application of on-demand supply and centralized provisioning. This week, EMC's collaboration with Oracle on data warehousing and intelligent systems is primarily aimed at achieving a centralized analysis of user data. Hewlett-Packard's recent release of the Cloudstart is actually the same concept-centralized processing applications.

For users, if you're still hesitant about applying cloud storage, you might want to analyze your business and your actual needs carefully. For most users, it is not always necessary to have a relationship with cloud storage, after all, data migration is risky, and cloud storage is not as reliable as it might be, even under SLA (Service level agreement) constraints.

Public Cloud Application Practices: Backup archiving

The public cloud business is very different from the private cloud. At present, in the public cloud business applications, users will pay more attention to security and cost, but also need to consider the network bandwidth factors. So in the public cloud, backup and archiving applications should be a mainstream direction. In fact, it is hard to see cases where the business is completely migrated to the public cloud service.

On this issue, we might as well listen to the cloud storage service provider's ideas. Nirvanix president and CEO Jimziernick that cloud storage technology does not apply to tier, level two, and module data storage. "If someone wants to replace a SAN that supports a trading processing system such as a CRM system, our product is not appropriate," he said. Although we also do module-level storage, network latency can lead to significant hysteresis. "

In this way, it is not necessary for users to migrate their data completely to the cloud storage in order to pursue new technology concepts. A common application now is that users can create a copy of the backup data and store it on the cloud. This is actually an archive, especially when users have compliance requirements. Cloud storage services of 5-15 cents per gigabyte monthly price should be able to significantly reduce the user's investment, which is particularly relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Storage vendors are now targeting the market, and from this point on, cloud storage applications seem to be not far away. This week, Symantec's release of Be and NBU began to support the direct backup of data to cloud storage, and CommVault's Simpana also supported cloud storage at the beginning of the year. The two manufacturers in the promotion of spare no doubt will affect the user's final application.