4 Chapter 1 The business need for Windows Server 2012
architecture for building private clouds that combines Microsoft software, consolidated
guidance, value-added software components, and validated compute, network, and
storage congurations from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to create
a turnkey approach for deploying scalable, precongured, validated infrastructure
platforms for deploying your own on private cloud. For more information on the
Private Cloud Fast Track and to see a list of Fast Track Partners,
see http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/private-cloud/buy.aspx#tabs-2.
The private cloud approach allows you the peace of mind of knowing you have
complete control over your IT infrastructure, but it has higher up-front costs and
a steeper implementation curve than the public cloud approach. For more information
on Microsoft’s private cloud offerings, see http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/
server-cloud/private-cloud/. As you will soon see, however, the next generation of
Hyper-V in the Windows Server 2012 platform delivers even more powerful capabilities
that enable customers to deploy and manage private clouds.
■
Hybrid cloud The customer uses a combination of private and public clouds to meet
the specic needs of their business. In this approach, some of your organization’s IT
services run on-premises while other services are hosted in the cloud to save costs,
simplify scalability, and increase agility. Organizations that want to make the transition
from traditional IT to cloud computing often begin by embracing the hybrid cloud
approach because it allows them to get their feet wet while remaining grounded in the
comfort of their existing server-centric infrastructure.
One difculty with the hybrid cloud approach, however, is the management
overhead associated with needing duplicate sets of IT controls, one set for traditional
infrastructure and others for each kind of cloud service consumed. Regardless of this,
many organizations that transition to the cloud choose to adopt the hybrid approach
for various reasons, including deployment restrictions, compliance issues, or the
availability of cloud services that can meet the organization’s needs.
Cloud service models
Cloud computing also can be considered from the perspective of which kinds of services are
being consumed. The three standard service models for cloud computing are as follows:
■
Software as a service (SaaS) This approach involves using the cloud to deliver a
single application to multiple users, regardless of their location or the kind of device
they are using. SaaS contrasts with the more traditional approach of deploying
separate instances of applications to each user’s computing device. The advantages
of the SaaS model is that application activities can be managed from a single central
location to reduce cost and management overhead. SaaS typically is used to deliver
cloud-based applications that have minimal support for customization, such as email,
Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and productivity software. Ofce 365 is an
example of a SaaS offering from Microsoft that provides users with secure anywhere