Using the cloud to complement on-premise IT resources is one of the nirvana states envisioned for cloud computing, letting you architect for normal workloads and then burst to the cloud when necessary.
Turns out seamless cloud bursting is still a pipe dream, but "hybrid" cloud may be good enough. In this Network World Spotlight report on "The seamless cloud" we examine the trends, experiences and impediments to meshing cloud services with on-premise resources. The package includes:
* The promise of the seamless cloud. What are the expectations? Will companies ultimately be able to use cloud resources as an extension of their on-premise resources? Can they expect to be able to manage this hybrid environment as if it was one? If so, where does the data live? How do you keep it current? Etc.
* Cloud as compute supplement: Questions to ask. As you weigh your options for using the cloud to supplement on premise computing resources, here are the considerations to take into account and questions to ask your hardware, software and service providers.
* Building a combined public/private cloud strategy. If you know you'll be moving more of your computing requirements to the cloud, but you don't know what you'll be running on which cloud, and how much you will rely on infrastructure as a service vs. platform or software as a service, a services-oriented approach to app development can help pave the way.
Download this Network World Digital Spotlight for our in-depth look at the changing landscape, the shifting approaches, and best practices to cloud bursting.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to Network World Editor in Chief John Dix at JDix@nww.com.
