Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Cloud Hosting : Cloud Computing & Scalability

[BlazingSwitch]

Wat? Scaling is what cloud computing does best!

I know people who run their custom PPC/PPV tracking system off cloud computing because it provides the fastest response time.

I know another guy who ran a site doing a million uniques a day off $99/mo cloud computing hosting from SoftLayer.

That is a quote from a heated hosting discussion on another forum where they are debating the 100TB.COM and their offers, versus VPS, DEDI and CLOUD.

It seems rare that a web hosting discussion on ANY FORUM can be civilized and always breaks out into some heated debate on the best way to go. I prefer dedicated as an option for higher usage/function/bandwidth sites and RAID redundancy. It is not to say other options do not work, I simply prefer to stick with a solid choice I know works well.

However, the younger chaps keep screaming to the hills on VPS and cloud as the best option for the next generation. Including those with high bandwidth, and traffic. Your thoughts?

[CloudWeb]

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

That is a quote from a heated hosting discussion on another forum where they are debating the 100TB.COM and their offers, versus VPS, DEDI and CLOUD.

It seems rare that a web hosting discussion on ANY FORUM can be civilized and always breaks out into some heated debate on the best way to go. I prefer dedicated as an option for higher usage/function/bandwidth sites and RAID redundancy. It is not to say other options do not work, I simply prefer to stick with a solid choice I know works well.

However, the younger chaps keep screaming to the hills on VPS and cloud as the best option for the next generation. Including those with high bandwidth, and traffic. Your thoughts?

I think what I bolded sums up the primary reason for the problems with cloud. Basically, not all things in cloud are equal. The biggest challenge is as a consumer, knowing HOW to buy cloud. Different providers will implement, use, and sell cloud services as they see fit and there is no one size fits all. Some need the utility computing methods, some need traditional. However, due to the fact it is still in the early adopter stage it is still very confusing as a consumer so you have a hard time knowing that it is a solid choice and would work well. The technology used to make up that cloud is also very important and will help determine the quality of service that you will receive with it.

Here is a thread I had started recently that discussed this very thing. Take a look: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=954950

The bottom line is when cloud is done properly, it provides more than enough benefits to outweigh dedicated, if you are using a provider who has made cloud services to directly compete with it. But, as you know you have to know exactly what you're getting and what technologies are superior to make it truly comparable to dedicated. If someone buys Amazon EC2 comparing it to their dedicated server I think they will be disappointed as they did not design and market that service as a replacement. However, a VPDC provider who is building and designing custom private clouds to replace individual dedicated servers will offer distinct advantages over a stand-alone or even a cluster of dedicated servers.

[BlazingSwitch]

Originally Posted by cloudweb

I think what I bolded sums up the primary reason for the problems with cloud. Basically, not all things in cloud are equal. The biggest challenge is as a consumer, knowing HOW to buy cloud. Different providers will implement, use, and sell cloud services as they see fit and there is no one size fits all. Some need the utility computing methods, some need traditional. However, due to the fact it is still in the early adopter stage it is still very confusing as a consumer so you have a hard time knowing that it is a solid choice and would work well. The technology used to make up that cloud is also very important and will help determine the quality of service that you will receive with it.

Here is a thread I had started recently that discussed this very thing. Take a look: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=954950

The bottom line is when cloud is done properly, it provides more than enough benefits to outweigh dedicated, if you are using a provider who has made cloud services to directly compete with it. But, as you know you have to know exactly what you're getting and what technologies are superior to make it truly comparable to dedicated. If someone buys Amazon EC2 comparing it to their dedicated server I think they will be disappointed as they did not design and market that service as a replacement. However, a VPDC provider who is building and designing custom private clouds to replace individual dedicated servers will offer distinct advantages over a stand-alone or even a cluster of dedicated servers.

Agreed. In the end, it comes down to how the 'hosting' it's self is pieced together. Cloud, or otherwise. Including hardware, software, configuration and bandwidth.

[sam9]

Well, I agree with the heated discussion part. I suppose that is because a lot of dynamics, apart from the subject itself, are at play.

I do think that most cloud platforms can offer some distinct advantages to a large section of customers. But to say that one size fits all would be un-true as well.

One of the key differences, cloud or on-demand/PayAsYouGo hosting makes is lowering of entry barrier, further for some online businesses.

Cheers!

[Winky]

I think a lot depends on whether you are looking at this from a pure performance perspective or if you factor in requirements on the business front. The major selling points of cloud are business oriented - business continuity, lower price point of entry, lower risk, faster time to market, less points of management, utility billing, etc. If these are driving factors to your decision, then it's easier to choose cloud. Now, if you are more concerned with performance, then you have to consider the application you are running. If your application is something better suited to run in a physical environment, ie high I/O database, HIPAA compliance, etc, then dedicated might better suit you.

[jq3385]

Too many variables to have an overall opinion...

As a consultant would say, "It depends..."

[Techy]

Originally Posted by sam9

Well, I agree with the heated discussion part. I suppose that is because a lot of dynamics, apart from the subject itself, are at play.

I do think that most cloud platforms can offer some distinct advantages to a large section of customers. But to say that one size fits all would be un-true as well.

One of the key differences, cloud or on-demand/PayAsYouGo hosting makes is lowering of entry barrier, further for some online businesses.

Cheers!

I think this was very well said. Like anything, with all advantages comes disadvantages.

[BlazingSwitch]

Originally Posted by jq3385

Too many variables to have an overall opinion...

As a consultant would say, "It depends..."

It does indeed fine sire.