Rahmad Kurniawan (P68500) Individual Project of Management of Information Technology (TU6414) Title: Windows Azure As A Cloud Computing Platform

(3 Pages) 1. Introduction

Cloud computing technology is one of the technologies gaining momentum and industry attention, influencing business decisions and acting as a game changer. Generally, cloud computing is a method of computing which information technology (IT) capabilities are provided as an internet-based services. Cloud computing is like an electricity grid. If need electricity then do not have to have power but only need to contact service provider to connect the house to the electrical power grid. payments are made according to how the amount of usage. Cloud computing enables the delivery of scalable and available capabilities by leveraging dynamic and on demand infrastructure [1]. There are three Service Models of cloud computing. They are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and the last services model of cloud computing is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). There are many PaaS (Platform as a Service) of cloud computing services. Windows Azure is Microsoft's PaaS (Platform as a Service) Cloud offering to help its customers realize the benefits of cloud computing. 2. Explanation

2.1. Business Value

Several companies have established a presence in this space with a variety of offers for businesses to leverage within their organization. Windows Azure is similar to other platforms, there are significant differences which offer business leaders new and exciting capabilities not found in any other system. One of the greatest aspects of Windows Azure is the flexibility of the platform. Consisting of several different services, Windows Azure provide companies the option to consume any level of functionality they require. Applications can be scaled up on more servers quickly and easily by way of a simple configuration file change. This capability ensures applications will be responsive under demand, and optimized for minimal costs under low-demand times. Windows Azure has more data centers and delivery points than Amazon and Google. This dispersion of information allows Windows Azure to deliver content faster and smarter to users around the globe. Benefits of Windows Azure is the ability to run applications from a variety of technologies and platforms, such as. NET (as a technology from Microsoft), JAVA, and PHP. It is the platform of Microsoft implementation of cloud computing.[2]
2.2. Technology Specifications

Windows Azure runs on machines in Microsoft data centers. Rather than providing software that Microsoft customers can install and run themselves on their own computers, Windows Azure is a service that customers use it to run applications and store data on Internet-accessible machines owned by Microsoft. Those applications might provide services

to businesses, to consumers, or both. Here are some examples of the kinds of applications that might be built on Windows Azure: 1. An independent software vendor (ISV) could create an application that targets business users, an approach thats often referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS). ISVs can use Windows Azure as a foundation for a variety of business-oriented SaaS applications. 2. An ISV might create a SaaS application that targets consumers. Windows Azure is designed to support very scalable software, and so a firm that plans to target a large consumer market might well choose it as a foundation for a new application. 3. Enterprises might use Windows Azure to build and run applications that are used by their own employees. While this situation probably wont require the enormous scale of a consumer-facing application, the reliability and manageability that Windows Azure offers could still make it an attractive choice. There are three components of the Windows Azure technology, such as: 1. Windows Azure (application container) 2. Microsoft SQL Azure 3. Windows Azure platform AppFabric

Figure 1: Windows Azure has three main parts: the Compute service, Storage service, and the Fabric. [1]

2.3. Competitive Environment

Windows Azure has many competitors. They are IBM Smart Cloud Services, Engine Yard, Heroku, Force.com, Skytap, Vmware, Rackspace Cloud, GoGrid, Enlight cloud, HP Cloud Services, OpenShift and the major competitors like Amazon S3 and Google Apps provide many companies an excellent solution for their cloud-based products and offerings.[3] Windows Azure continues to provide an excellent platform for businesses.

Figure 2: Cloud Avalaible to Accept Data (Write and Read) (Source: http://nasunicdn.s3.amazonaws.com )

2.4. Analysis

Windows Azure presents a new environment for deploying and distributing information and applications. Windows Azure offer business leaders new and exciting capabilities not found in any other system. One of the greatest aspects of Windows Azure is the flexibility of the platform. Another great feature only on Windows Azure is their unique storage and CDN (Content Delivery Network) capabilities. While other cloud platforms offer CDN and storage, Windows Azure has more data centers and delivery points than Amazon and Google. This dispersion of information allows Windows Azure to deliver content faster and smarter to users around the globe. This is essential to providing an optimal user experience in any location. Microsoft allows companies to quickly replicate content around the globe and effectively accommodate their customer needs. The Windows Azure AppFabric facilitates a hybrid or private cloud for businesses.[4] This platform can provide a great extension of a companys network by leveraging cloudpowered applications and servers that are closely integrated with their existing infrastructure. SQL Azure continues to be enhanced as a robust and adept relational database. Microsoft, recognizing customer needs and functionality, is constantly improving the platform to provide larger database sizes and more functionality. Microsofts platform also has unique capabilities that are only found within Windows Azure. Windows Azure has capability and flexibility of the architecture so that can be used for businesses. 3. Summaries

Each platform has characteristics and advantages. Microsofts Windows Azure continues to provide an excellent platform for businesses. Windows Azure is Microsoft's PaaS (Platform as a Service) Cloud offering to help its customers realize the benefits of cloud computing. Microsofts platform also has unique capabilities that are only found within Windows Azure. Windows Azure has capability and flexibility of the architecture so that can be used for businesses. 4. References [1] Chou, David. (2010). SOA With .NET & Windows Azure Realizing ServiceOrientation with the Microsoft Platform. Prentice Hall. [2] Chappell, David (2009). Introducing Windows Azure. [3] Peng, Junjie. (2009). Comparison of Several Cloud Computing Platforms. Second International Symposium on Information Science and Engineering Information Science and Engineering (ISISE). [4] Mell, Peter. The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing. National Institute of Standards and Technology U.S. Department of Commerce Special Publication 800145. [5] http://nasunicdn.s3.amazonaws.com