Toolbox to guide online developers around the cloud
The final version of the toolbox, which has been developed through the EU-funded MODACLOUDS project, includes three different demonstrator tools showcasing the project’s innovations and technologies. Start-ups can use these demonstrators to review possible cloud solutions as they seek to develop new online technologies. The solution has been designed to enable online developers working on a range of applications, from data storage to harness the full potential of the cloud. The toolbox will also hopefully boost Europe’s high tech sector by favouring the emergence of European cloud technology and avoiding vendor lock-in problems (where developers are compelled to use the technology of just one operator). The cloud computing concept is about sharing computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices handle each individual application. In this sense, ‘cloud’ is a metaphor for ‘the Internet,’ where services — such as servers, storage and applications — are delivered to an organisation's computers and devices through the Internet. This shared IT infrastructure contains pools of systems that are linked together, with specialised connections spreading data-processing chores across them. This means that high performance computing power to perform tens of trillions of computations per second can be tapped into for consumer-oriented applications such as financial transactions, data storage or to power immersive multi-user online computer games. However, cloud business models and technologies are still characterised by critical early stage issues, which pose specific challenges and require advanced software engineering methods. The MODACLOUDS toolbox will enable online developers to navigate around these issues. The project began by taking into account key business considerations, end user needs and current technological constraints in order to develop an effective toolbox. The main goal throughout has been to provide start up developers with proven methods, an effective decision support system and an open source environment for high-level design, prototyping and deployment of multi-cloud applications. For example, new risk analysis and quality prediction tools will enable developers to specify appropriate cloud models, monitor applications on these models and then finally optimise the service based on feedback. New techniques for synchronising operations among multiple clouds have also been developed. Another key outcome of the project has been the establishment of the MultiClouds Alliance, which aims to further promote and evolve cloud technologies and business-driven online solutions. The alliance is open to any organisation willing to participate, as members or associates, in the promotion and development of future cloud technologies, and will ensure that the results of the MODCLOUDS project have a long-lasting legacy. The Alliance can be contacted via the website multiclouddevops.com/contact.html. The three year MODACLOUDS project was completed in September 2015. For further information please visit: MODACLOUDS project website
Countries
Italy