How to build a Cloud, Intel’s Reference Architecture Library

Ran across Intel’s Cloud Builders – Reference Library.  If you were confused on what it means to build a cloud this list may help you or confuse you as the the list is long.

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Intel® Cloud Builders Reference Architecture Library

Key challenges and focus areas for IT include enhancing efficiency, security, resource utilization, flexibility, and simplifying data center management, among others. Intel works closely with leading systems and solution providers to deliver proven reference architectures to address IT challenges. This work is based on IT requirements—from a wide range of end users—that address challenges in evolving to cloud and next- generation data centers, including the evolving usage requirements of the Open Data Center Alliance. This lab-based experience is embodied in Intel® Cloud Builders reference architectures. Each reference architecture provides detailed instructions on how to install and configure a particular cloud software solution using Intel® Xeon® processor-based servers.

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AWS is 8.5x faster than original, according experiments by LBNL

Science Magazine has a perspective on cloud computing and the scientist. The article is meant for the newbie to cloud computing and how it relates to the scientist.

One nice stat in the perspective is the change in AWS from original to current versions.

Initially, cloud-computing hardware was configured primarily for its earliest adopters—Web-based applications—and early attempts to run scientific applications on the cloud gave discouraging results (3, 4). New hardware is now configured for better performance on scientific applications. For example, Amazon's recently added “cluster computing instances,” priced at $1.60 per computer-hour, run scientific benchmarks 8.5 times as fast as the original cloud hardware, according to experiments at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Laboratory at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (5).

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Is Savvis positioning to be bought?

WSJ reports on the rumors that Savvis is a takeover target.

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Savvis Inc. (SVVS) Chief Executive Jim Ousley said Wednesday that his company is generating more interest from bankers and inquiring parties as takeover speculation ramps up following recent deals in the data-storage sector.

Ousley acknowledged the company has had more strategic discussions than usual but isn't feeling pressure to act in the short term. He said Savvis will continue to operate just like it did before Verizon Communications Inc.'s (VZ) recent deal for rival Terremark Worldwide Inc. (TMRK) was announced.

Here is Savvis selling their capabilities.

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Portugal Telco builds one data center as big as current capacity

 

Data Center Dynamics has a post on Portugal Telecom doubling its data center capacity with one building.

Portugal Telecom builds giant data center

Will service EU cloud and storage market by doubling nation’s DC capacity

Published 8th February, 2011 by Penny Jones

Portugal Telecom

Portugal Telecom said it is building one of Europe’s largest data centers, with more than 45,000 sq m of operational space for 50,000 servers and covering two levels.

The build alone will double Portugal’s entire data center capacity.

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