Should the Cloud Computing Definition Include a Big Data Perspective?

Introduction

Vaquero et al. (2008) list more than twenty existing Cloud Computing definitions in their paper, and conclude by proposing an additional one. At this rate, we will have a confusing number of definitions before long! This is typical of the inflated expectations of a recent technology, as the cycle of hype surrounding it reaches a peak. At this stage, it is important to step back and try to see Cloud Computing for what it really is. This is exactly what the ISO/JTC1/SC38 committee proposes to accomplish in the next few years. Working Group 3 was specifically created to look at normalizing Cloud Computing terminology.

Looking at the original ideaof the term Cloud Computing, a key question was raised, why so many definitions exist for such simple words. The basic concepts expressed by the term are quite simple. The word computing refers to any activity that involves computer processing or storage (Shackelford et al., 2006). A computer manipulates and stores data, which commonly reside on the hard drive of a computer, or in other hardware such as NAS (network-attached storage), commodity hardware (affordable and readily available hardware), the mainframe, etc. The hard drive can store anything, including structured data, unstructured data, software, databases, etc. In Cloud Computing terminology, these capabilities are designed as services, and these services are offered services in a cloud, anywhere on earth. In other words, its location does not matter. This term also refers to networked computers, among which processing power is distributed.

Where the confusion begins, and so many different definitions are generated, is if those definitions try to include: 1) different perspectives (i.e. Infrastructure versus Software Engineering); 2) too many technical details; 3) a specific technology point of view. For example some definition includes concepts like billing features, type of access, security issues, ownership of data, and even quality features associated with the technology. Since these concepts vary depending on the technology and can evolve, the definition of Cloud Computing can become broader and fuzzier over time.

One of the leading proposals for an internationally accepted definition of Cloud Computing has beenproposed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

“Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” This cloud model promotes availability, and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.

This proposal implies that the terminology of those essential characteristics, service models, and deployment models must also be precisely defined. Table 1 shows how these three concepts are defined in the NIST proposal:

The above definition was initially intended to serve as a means for broad comparisons of cloud services and deployment strategies, and to provide a baseline for discussion – from what Cloud Computing is, to how best to use it.