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Configuring the Cloud

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Voice&Data Bureau
New Update

While
convergence can be a great space saver and an efficient low cost
solution, the security risks it poses are manifold. Thus, a system which
provides low cost, efficient storage capacity and comprehensive data security is
looked at as an emerging trend today.
Cloud computing-which calls for
convergence on a single platform-can be greatly enhanced with the right kind of
security to let out only that amount of data to an x number of people in the
cloud.

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According to an F5 white paper, more bandwidth doesn't
equal more throughput; and increase in web applications, therefore calls for
increase in firewall security. F5 has recently launched new solutions for
applied data management combined with customized data security.

WAN optimization with specific network applications will
further help in reducing time and providing speed. Access policy will help in
maintaining contact all over, which means users do not have to keep signing in,
as the computer remembers the user and the password, irrespective of where you
log in from, just pausing your page till you get back.

F5's authentication alternatives include a code in the
application, agents on servers (remembering passwords) and specialized access
proxies, which serves as a better alternative to BIG-IP LTM and APM. For
application security, F5 offers protection for web applications. Its BIG-
IP Edge
Gateway
extends the edge of data centers to the remote office and mobile user to
provide better performance and capacity at half the regular price. This solution
provides always-connected application access, combining symmetric, asymmetric
and client based acceleration techniques and is sensitive to applications used,
providing global access at the click of a button.

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In India,
F5 offers these customized solutions for
software providers, enterprises, SPs, small/large businesses, banks, and the
government. It is looking at tier-2 customers in terms of rural integrators,
helping them reduce costs by offering six integrated services, for example,
instead of ten.

HP is also working on a similar technology and a single
data center, where organizations can converge on a single platform and users can
log in from anywhere at any time, thus optimizing virtualization. It is looking
at adding virtual servers, and is creating a blueprint combining a virtual
server with a heterogeneous server to provide operation flexibility and optimize
data center virtualization. This kind of a unified data center also contributes
to green computing, making use of 80% less electricity, and reducing the amount
of bandwith required.

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In addition,
HP is also working on a common data pool for
pooling and sharing facilities in an automated manner, combining storage boxes
and using them as one. Thus, virtualization will become a cloud that is always
in the background. Moreover, HP is also looking at cloud metering, so that usage
can be charged from the user, thus ensuring a cost effective solution.

Crowd sourcing for BPOs through cloud by means of
multi-sourcing is also being looked at by an increasing number of BPOs in India
and abroad. This can help maintain the configuration and reduce cost of legacy
applications over time to cloud based applications services in the BPO space.

In terms of security solutions, Elitecore Technologies
India has also launched Cyberoam iView, an open source logging and reporting
solution in appliance form.

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The Cyberoam iView appliances offer single point logging
and reporting of all network devices, delivering a comprehensive view of network
activity.

These are only a few of the recently launched storage
optimizing and high-end security integrated solutions now being offered by the
leading software solution providers. In the coming year, we will see more such
solutions that can be carved out to serve an organization better, catering to
its needs, and the needs of a growing data centered community globally.

Beryl M

berylm@cybermedia.co.in

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