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Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing: The Other Side

October 12, 2010

By Susan J. Campbell
TMCnet Contributing Editor

In truth, cloud computing is not the end all-be all for all companies, but it does present legitimate benefits for those seeking to streamline processes and reduce overall costs.

According to a recent Silicon Beat article, cloud computing presents as many challenges as it does benefits. BitTorrent CEO Eric Klinker (News - Alert) would prefer companies look at all sides of the equation before making a decision either way. His most surprising statement: he believes the move to cloud computing is a trend that opposes the very nature of the Internet.


While such a statement may seem surprising, his elaboration adds some sense to the approach. As Klinker noted, the centralization of cloud computing is not the model that has made the Internet so powerful. He argues that the Internet is built on a distributed model, not one where companies and people place all their content or IT infrastructure in a handful of companies and services.

One problem he highlights is the action of putting a large amount of power and control in the hands of just a few large players. Such companies store data and the data of users, presenting a substantial temptation to look at it all.

He also believes there is a problem in the cloud model in that it is driving the creation of massive numbers of data center that require enormous amounts of power to run and cool. In his words, more data centers will mean the creation of more power plants.

Klinker firmly believes the future is not in cloud computing, but in the distributed model of file sharing. He refers to this as the crowd sourcing of infrastructure and describes it as a more powerful, distributed model.

While it is easy to bash the concept of cloud computing when the very nature of the technology is a contradiction to your business model, but Klinker may do well to look more closely at how cloud computing is being managed across the globe.

First, does he really believe that cloud providers will spend their time looking at information they house? As security and privacy are often the first questions a company will have before moving to cloud computing, providers must be able to demonstrate their ability to protect the information and their approach to privacy.

Second, it is true that power consumption is an important focus, but a closer look at virtualization and cloud computing demonstrates that the practice uses less power, not more.

With the growing popularity of cloud computing, it is difficult to come across anything but glowing reports of lower costs, more efficient use of management resources and consolidated processes. Such benefits show that cloud computing may be the only way to go.


Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Erin Monda

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