Cloud Computing Reliability of Cloud-Based

Cloud Computing

Reliability of Cloud-Based Software

As the pace of technology -- and specifically computer and Internet technologies -- continues to increase, it has become clear that "cloud computing" will mark the next major revolution in the way in which communication, information sharing, data manipulation, and all manner of other digitized processes will occur. There have been tremendous leaps forward in making cloud computing a full functional reality, and indeed many cloud platforms and programs are in regular use by millions worldwide. This does not mean that there are not certain problems yet to be surmounted by the planners, programmers, and engineers working on tomorrow's software solutions, however, and an acknowledgement of these issues is necessary in order to develop truly effective and successful solutions to such problems.

Reliability is one major concern for cloud computing software applications, as ensuring access to such applications as well as ensuring the integrity and ongoing functionality of cloud software meets with new and more intricate complexities than traditional software applications (Dikaikos et al. 2009; Mell & Grance 2009). Certain research has linked some of the reliability issues currently faced by cloud computing software applications with the lack of a clear and direct monetization model for cloud computing, noting that infrastructure and support services simply have not been provided in adequate amounts due to a perceived lack of profitability (Dikaikos et al. 2009). Other researchers have found that ambiguities and confusion in the theories underlying cloud computing also contribute to reliability issues by creating a muddled understanding of goals and objectives (Youseff et al. 2008).

There are several theoretical and practical solutions that have been developed and proffered as a means of addressing and countering these perceived (and real) reliability issues in the world of cloud computing software. In some areas it actually appears as though certain reliability issues and their solutions might be simplified in the cloud when compared to traditional software and hardware set-ups; successful antivirus protection has been achieved simply by running preventative, diagnostic, and corrective programs on host computers and servers in the cloud, rather than necessitating the same type of vigilance for each and every end-user unit (Shah 2010). Solutions to more general and widespread reliability issues, however, have necessitated a much higher level of complexity in their solutions and the mechanisms employed to address them. More detailed and comprehensive infrastructure and internal architecture mapping has been adopted in an effort to better identify and rectify issues that could cause problems with reliability in cloud software systems (Mell & Grance 2009).