Abstract
The current chapter reports an investigation of Information Technology (I.T.) enablement for a Higher Education Institution (HEI), with focus on the feasibility of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) using Cloud Computing technology. A pragmatist - mixed-methods research approach was followed to establish the Feasibility Study, which included the potential IaaS risks and benefits for a HEI such as the Computing & Library Services of a UK university. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages, as well as a legal, social, operational and Service Level Agreement (SLA) discussion are provided. Furthermore, the authors outline the potential impact on the institution's employment. Finally, based on the Feasibility Study, the authors recommend a list of selection criteria and evaluation methods that could be regarded as the basis for a future IaaS Cloud decision model for HEIs. The findings of the current investigation contribute to the body of knowledge for both academics and I.T. managers.
TopBackground
Cloud Computing Overview
Many I.T. managers, from both academia and industry, argue that Cloud Computing is nothing more than another form of outsourcing similar to data-center outsourcing (Cisco, 2009). Even if there is a correlation, Cloud Computing is differentiated by its primary characteristics of resource pooling, on-demand self-service, pay-as-you-go pricing, and rapid elasticity (Mell & Grance, 2009; Armbrust et al., 2010a). These characteristics make it problematic to some and attractive to others. For instance, elasticity of storage and computer power, and on-demand self-service may be attractive options for a research scientist, but it could be a potential issue for the I.T. manager of a HEI who is accountable for the integrity of the research data (Cisco, 2009).
The most important factor in promoting Cloud Computing has been the recognition that large data-centers have thousands of servers which, in general, do not operate at full capacity, creating a surplus of computer capacity (Dillon et al., 2010). Cloud Computing enables greater returns on data-center investments, by using these resources more efficiently through virtualization (Cisco, 2009; Dillon et al., 2010). In addition, it gives the opportunity to an organization like a HEI to develop its own private Cloud within its own infrastructure.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA): A systematic approach in order to estimate the advantages and disadvantages of a decision/investment in a business. It is a method that is used to evaluate the best possible approach for the adoption and practice in terms of benefits in time, cost savings, etc.
Infrastructure as a Service: One of the three fundamental service models of Cloud Computing, alongside Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). IaaS is a provision model in which an organization outsources its equipment, such as storage, hardware, servers and networking components. The client pays on a per-use basis while the service provider owns the equipment and is responsible for housing, running, and maintaining it.
Cloud Computing: A recently evolved technology that relies on utility and consumption of shared computing services.
Education Cloud: A suite of Cloud services that aids UK universities and researchers in terms of compute and storage requirements through VMware, VCloud, and Open Stack technologies.
Higher Education Institution: An optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after secondary education. Higher education is usually delivered at colleges, seminaries, academies, universities, and institutes of technology.
JANET: A private, UK government-funded organization that provides computer network and related collaborative services to UK education and research.
Cloud Provider: A company that offers some component of Cloud Computing, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to other organizations.