Deakin University - SIT113 Cloud Computing and Virtualization

This report provides an overview of cloud computing and virtualization, defining cloud storage and comparing it with non-cloud storage devices like NAS and DVD/BR discs. It highlights the advantages of cloud storage, such as accessibility and cost-effectiveness, and discusses various storage types offered by Microsoft Azure (Blob, File, Queue, Table, Disk) and Amazon Web Services (EBS, EFS, S3, Glacier, Storage Gateway). The report concludes with a recommendation for AWS as the preferred cloud storage solution for ADA, citing its extensive range of maturity, functionality, platform configuration, security, monitoring, and policy features.

Running Head: CLOUD COMPUTING AND VIRTUALISATION 0
Cloud Computing
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
(student Details:)
11/21/2018

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 1
Contents
Virtualisation and Cloud Computing.........................................................................................2
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................2
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................2
Task 3.........................................................................................................................................3
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................3
Blob Storage...........................................................................................................................3
File Storage............................................................................................................................3
Queue Storage........................................................................................................................3
Table Storage.........................................................................................................................3
Disk Storage...........................................................................................................................4
Amazon Elastic Block Storage (Amazon EBS).....................................................................4
Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS).........................................................................4
Amazon S3.............................................................................................................................4
Amazon Glacier.....................................................................................................................4
AWS Storage Gateway..........................................................................................................4
Task 5.........................................................................................................................................4

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 2
Virtualisation and Cloud Computing
Task 1
Cloud storage, which is also known as utility storage, 1can be defined as defined as the data
storage within online data centres, so that an organization's data is warehoused in as well as
accessible from numerous connected and distributed resources which embrace a cloud.
Additionally, cloud storage is a model of cloud computing in which data, information files
are stored on distant servers retrieved from the cloud or internet 2. Besides, it is usually
maintained, managed and operated through cloud storage service providers on data storage
servers which are fabricated on intelligent virtualization techniques 3. On the other hand,
there are so many unaware consumers, who are already using cloud storage-enabled services,
containing social media, e-mail, online gaming and several other mobile applications 4.
Task 2
For ADA there are two recommended non-cloud devices, as follows:
Device 1: NAS
Network-attached storage (referred as NAS) is a non-cloud storage device that is based on
file-level data storage server which is attached to a computer network allowing a mixt group
of clients for accessing the data from NAS. Besides, NAS is focussed for storing and
providing files either through its software, hardware or configuration. Though the device
NAS is like another computer, still it is still restricted from the drives’ size installed by you 5.
Device 2: DVD/BR discs
As we know the use of computer internal drives, USB devices, and SD cards, none of them
are utilizable for ever. Thus, for the long time storage we should prefer archive quality
DVD/BR discs, because they may last for many decades at least. Moreover, DVD-R is the
most compatible format, as it is readable through almost all DVD players. Besides, DVDs are
easily readable from DVD drives of computers, and home DVD players 5.

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 3
Task 3
There are two advantageous characteristics of cloud storage listed as below:
Accessibility: file accessibility allows files stored in the cloud, to be accessed any time from
any remote place as long as internet access is available.
Cost-effective: Cloud storage offers remote backups of data to the organizations which
optimizes costs related to disaster recovery 6.
Task 4
Microsoft Azure is having following types of storage 7:
Blob Storage
Blob storage is a Microsoft Azure’s object stowage solution for the cloud
computing. Besides, it is optimized for keeping an enormous amount of amorphous data, like
binary or text data. Additionally, its ideal use is for providing documents or images directly
to a web browser.
File Storage
File storage, also called file-based storage, stows data files in a hierarchical structure. In this
storage, data is kept in folders and files, which are then presented to the system storing it as
well as the system retrieving it in the similar format.
Queue Storage
Queue Storage is a Microsoft Azure Service that allows an individual to put text messages on
the queue for processing them asynchronously. Thus, queue storage is an ideal way to
execute events which do not need an exact order.
Table Storage
Microsoft Azure’s table storage used to store a huge amount of structured data files. This
service is a NoSQL data store, and is used to accept authenticated calls by the inside as well
as outside Azure cloud. Thus, Azure table storage’s ideal use is storing structured and non-
relational data files.

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 4
Disk Storage
Virtual machines of Microsoft Azure use disks as a storage place for applications, operating
system, and other data. In disk storage, disk of operating system is built through an image.
Moreover, the operating system disk as well as the image disk is usually a virtual
hard disks (referred as VHDs) stowed in an Azure storage.
Amazon Web Services are having following kind of storages 7:
Amazon Elastic Block Storage (Amazon EBS)
Amazon EBS offers insistent block storage volume for using Amazon EC2 instances
available in the AWS Cloud. Besides, it protects against component failure and offers high
durability as well as availability.
Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS)
Amazon EFS offers an elastic file storage that is simple and scalable, for using it with AWS
Cloud services as well as on-premises resources.
Amazon S3
Amazon S3 is a simple storage service provided by Amazon Web Services which offers web
service interface based object storage. Thus, Amazon S3 is way of storing and retrieving data
safely, at any time, in any amount, at a low cost from anywhere.
Amazon Glacier
Amazon Glacier is a kind of virtual file storage web services which offers storage place for
data archiving as well as data backup.
AWS Storage Gateway
Being a hybrid storage service, AWS Storage Gateway allows on-premises applications to
impeccably utilize AWS cloud storage. This gateway links to AWS storage services, like
Amazon Glacier, AmazonS3, and Amazon EBS.
Task 5
Although the gap is very small and it is closing day-by-day, yet we will recommend Amazon
Web services (AWS) to ADA for providing a best cloud storage solution. AWS is chosen
over Microsoft Azure because it is continuously leading the way of cloud services by offering
an extensive range of maturity and functionality 8.

Cloud Computing and Virtualisation 5
The reasons behind this recommendation are as follows:
The AWS’s rank is high due to its platform configuration preferences, security, monitoring as
well as policy features and reliability. Moreover, its partners include general product strategy
and ecosystem has been seen as market leading, besides its AWS marketplace is having a big
number of third-party software’s services 8.
References
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2010.
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[5] Megan Wild. (2016, Nov.) Circle ID. [Online].
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20161125_what_is_the_impact_of_cloud_computing_on_the_environment/
[6] Proserve IT. (2018, June) Proserve IT. [Online]. http://www.proserveit.com/environmental-impact-green-
cloud-computing/
[7] N. Antonopoulos and L. Gillam, Cloud computing. London: Springer, 2010.
[8] Matthew Finnegan and Scott Carey. (2018, Mar.) AWS vs Azure vs Google: What's the best cloud platform
for enterprise? [Online]. https://www.computerworlduk.com/it-vendors/microsoft-azure-vs-amazon-aws-
public-cloud-comparison-which-cloud-is-best-for-enterprise-3624848/
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