Cloud computing: automating the virtualized data center

Cloud computing will revolutionize the way IT resources are deployed, configured, and managed for years to come. Service providers and customers each stand to realize tremendous value from this paradigm shift—if they can take advantage of it. Cloud Computing brings together the realistic, start-to-finish guidance they need to plan, implement, and manage cloud solution architectures for tomorrow's virtualized data centers. It introduces cloud "newcomers" to essential concepts, and offers experienced operations professionals detailed guidance on delivering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Drawing on extensive experience working with leading cloud vendors and integrators, the authors present detailed operations workflow examples, replicable best-practice solutions for operating cloud-based network, compute, and storage infrastructure a comprehensive management reference architecture and a complete case study demonstrating rapid, lower-cost solutions design. Coverage includes: transitioning today's enterprise design patterns and use cases to the cloud implementing architecture and infrastructure for "real-time" managed IT services evaluating IaaS economics and making risk-versus-cost assessments understanding Cisco's cloud strategies developing standards-based cloud management architectures automating cloud infrastructure managing fulfillment, billing, and chargeback handling cloud capacity challenges optimizing the cloud user experience and much more. Cloud Computing will be an indispensable resource for all network/IT professionals and managers involved with planning, implementing, or managing the next generation of cloud computing services.