Seeing platform software through the cloud computing lens

Grazed from TechTarget. Author: Tom Nolle.

Plans for private or hybrid cloud are complex, and one key element is often overlooked: the platform software — the operating system and middleware that will run on the virtual machines or form the basis for Platform as a Service (PaaS). Cloud platform software links applications to cloud infrastructure and frames what you can run and how easy it will be to integrate and administer the final product. To choose platform software, a company must look at its investment in virtualization, its choice of database, network traffic issues and application security and management.

A company’s commitment to virtualization

When choosing cloud platform software, the first consideration is the extent to which your company has deployed virtualization. The easiest way to look at cloud computing is as an extension to virtualization, so if virtualization is already in use, the existing software will be a big factor in selecting the cloud stack and platform software…

If you have an existing investment in virtualization, start your platform software assessment by reviewing the machine images currently running. In the cloud, it’s easiest to have a standardized platform software set for all applications — or at least a small number of standard configurations. Review what you have and select the smallest number of platform configurations that can run everything without undue overhead or licensing costs…

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