Cloud Storage. What to look for.

Every one talks cloud. Let us look at Cloud Storage. What it means? You store your data at a third party place. Why? May be lower cost, administration simplification, security, protection etc. All these things encourage us.

Where are the risks? Like all business a cloud business can fail too. What if your cloud company is the single point of failure. What happens then?

a. Your data sits on the cloud. Your cloud provider closes shop. Do you have enough time to get it back? Even you have that time, do you have enough space to get it back. Even if you can get it back will the provider have enough bandwidth for all those who want their data?

b. Suppose you got back the data, you also somehow managed to secure some storage, will your applications work? Who will make changed to them? Can you keep your RPO?

So then what is the solution? May be in a next post.

Welcoming 2012

It is a Happy New Year for 2012. Mood is feel good.

There are some things I too would like in this year.

1. I would wish that SSD intake increases on the major storage boxes.

2. This would change the game in the storage industry, the way OS are written, the way file system drivers are written, and ultimately how we see applications.

3. SSD’s can be a role changer at all levels. The most effect in the storage industry would be seen around best practices. Best practices seem to be a decade behind current technology.

 

The second change I would like to see, basically in Singapore where I live now is, adoption of cloud computing at the enterprise, SME as well as the home model. The Community Centres can become data centers. Computing as well storage can be centralized here. Home laptops or desktops can harness this power. But this looks something that might materialize only in 2013 or later.

 

By the way, at the personal level I would like to do some basic video editing this year. I have hundreds of video clips taken using my mobile. I wanted some discipline to come in this direction.

 

Happy New Year again.