The new opportunity of embedded cloud computing network

The term "cloud computing" is no longer new, but what does this have to do with "embedded"? China Economic network reporter in the recent Wind River Company held a 2011-year regional developer conference to understand that embedded cloud computing technology coverage of the scope than we already know the IT cloud more extensive, the change in our lives more far-reaching, at the same time, there are more business opportunities. Of course, embedded cloud computing faces many challenges.

What is embedded cloud computing?

Cloud computing is the concept that all of our data is no longer dispersed in one of the information processing devices that we face in front of us. Instead, it is centrally stored in a large and secure, undamaged memory (cloud), and the main processing of information is concentrated in the cloud. In the cloud computing architecture, the devices in front of us are mainly information input and presentation, such as taking photos, recording and editing text, and displaying the information that is processed for us to watch or use. So, generally speaking of cloud computing, is specifically in the cloud to store and process information data of large servers and storage. But if we don't have the equipment to take pictures, videos and typing conveniently, cloud computing will be useless. Without a fast and secure network, the information we generate anytime and anywhere will not be delivered to the cloud to focus on. So cloud computing is not just a new requirement for large servers and storage, it's also a new requirement for the devices we see directly in front of us and the network transmission devices we don't see directly.

Whether it's a mobile phone, a digital camera, or a switch in the network, these devices don't look like computers, but they're all "embedded" in the computer, so they're called embedded systems. So, you know, in this world, the number of computers embedded in a variety of devices is far more than a single computer can see.

Feng River Company CTO (Chief Technology Officer), embedded computing senior expert Tomas Evensen pointed out, "the so-called cloud computing architecture, its salient features can be summed up in two aspects: first, the change in the past using different hardware devices to complete different functions, instead of using generic hardware with different software to complete; second, Centralize the same hardware and use virtualization technology to unify the allocation management. The advent of cloud computing has brought great changes to embedded, mainly reflected in two aspects: first, the original is the independent operation of the embedded computer, almost all of the future through the network with ' Cloud ' connected; second, embedded itself will be designed using cloud computing architecture, which emphasizes the commonality of hardware and the virtualization of resource management. ”

Compared to the general cloud computing, the Wind River company put forward the concept of "embedded cloud computing", so they call the original cloud computing as "it cloud computing." Tomas pointed out that "whether it cloud computing, or embedded cloud computing, have a universal component, virtualization management characteristics, so that more effectively reduce component costs, improve resource utilization, but also significantly improve the overall reliability of the system." and embedded cloud computing can be from the network-oriented cloud computing and device-oriented cloud computing. If it is a network-oriented transmission, the main task is to maximize the network packet high-speed exchange. and device-oriented cloud computing, in fact, is what we often say the internet of things. ”

Turn the hand for the cloud to cover hands for the rain thing networking

The world we live in is full of intelligent devices such as mass transit, residential water supply, machinery and medical equipment. The current global number of micro-processing chips has reached 50 billion, according to a report by Harbor Research, a marketing agency.

The goal of Internet of things and cloud computing is to provide him with the information and services he needs at all times, no matter where he or she is. What opportunities will this bring to the industry? The report by Market Research Institute Beecham study shows that the mobile communication module shipments in 2009 is 24 million, is expected to reach 83 million in 2013, annual growth of 30%, while the Internet middleware market in 2011 will have reached 2.9 billion U.S. dollars.

When our lives and work are highly dependent on the internet of things and cloud computing, this means that all of these interconnected devices must be more secure and not allow any errors, which is the security and reliability challenges of the Internet of things.

Tomas Evensen, chief technology officer of the Wind River Company, said, "the security requirements of the Internet of things are mainly from two aspects: on the one hand, these devices must be safe and reliable, not only to reliably complete the functions of the design, but also to fail to endanger the safety of personnel or other equipment; They must have the ability to defend themselves and still be able to work properly when attacked by hackers and by external forces. Therefore, intelligent networked equipment in the design and development must follow a more rigorous approach, in the process must also undergo rigorous testing. For key applications, such as IDF workers, public facilities, medical devices, etc., must also be approved by the relevant government laws and regulations. ”

Floating in the sky clouds, only to turn into rain and dew to promote the growth of all things. From the cloud to the palm, the Internet of things allows these intelligent devices to be interconnected, make all the devices work together, make them more productive, make our products and services less expensive, make everything more comfortable, and only a safe and reliable internet of things can really bring us comfort and satisfaction. After all, no one wants to live in fear.

Where does the secure internet of things come from?

The Internet of Things is what makes intelligent devices connect. As a veteran provider of equipment intelligence, the Wind River Company held its 30 anniversary celebration. Embedded software is the soul of intelligent equipment. Over the years, the Wind River Company in the embedded software sector is the world's leading market. In recent years, the rapid popularization of the network, so the Wind River company to its traditional advantages of natural extension to the network of equipment areas.

Reviewing the 30-year history, Damian Artt, senior vice president of global sales and services, said, "We have our own market planning for aerospace Defense, industrial control and medical, consumer electronics and network equipment four industries." Globally, we occupy the largest share of the aerospace defense industry in 34%, followed by 27% in the network equipment industry. In our China market, the network equipment industry occupies the largest share of 51%, followed by the consumer electronics industry 21%. This also reflects the reality of the Chinese market, the rapid development of network infrastructure, consumer electronics has sprung up. ”

For future things networking, embedded cloud computing and its security, Wind River Company believes that the main need to do the following three levels, you can make equipment manufacturers in the market is a shoo-in.

The first is the equipment software running platform. At this level, the most familiar is the Android operating system in mobile phones. In fact, the company has not only made a contribution to Android platforms for mobile phones, tablets and car entertainment, but has also provided a more professional VxWorks and high-reliability Linux operating system that has long been a key cornerstone in the aerospace defense and high security areas such as public utilities, and has obtained the security reliability attestation of many national government.

(Responsible editor: The good of the Legacy)