Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

1.3. Cloud Computing and VMware vCloud

Cloud computing leverages the efficient pooling of an on-demand, self-managed, virtual infrastructure that is consumed as a service. VMware vCloud is the VMware solution for cloud computing that enables delivery of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Additional “as a Service” reference architectures can be layered on top of a VMware vCloud built using vCAT.

1.3.1. VMware vCloud Requirements

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the key components of a cloud are on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. VMware aligns with the definition of cloud as elastic, lightweight entry and exit, available over Internet protocols, and running on a shared infrastructure.

A cloud always starts with a shared, virtual infrastructure. If any resource is dedicated to only one customer, you have a managed hosting platform, not a cloud infrastructure. Similarly, it is not considered a cloud if the cloud administrator or service provider must perform manual procedures to provision cloud resources following a consumer request. This is why workflow automation and orchestration are included as part of a vCloud solution.

The VMware vCloud blueprint follows these basic NIST requirements as the foundation for an IaaS cloud:

  • A cloud must be built on a pooled, virtual infrastructure. Pools include not only CPU and memory resources, but also storage, networking, and associated services.
  • The cloud should provide application mobility between clouds, allowing the consumer to enter and leave the cloud easily with existing workloads. The ability to use existing consumer tools to migrate workloads to or from the cloud is highly desirable. Mobility of workloads between clouds requires cross-cloud resource management.
  • The cloud should be open and interoperable, allowing the consumption of cloud resources over open, Internet-standard protocols. Access to cloud resources does not require any other specific network protocols or clients.
  • Cloud consumers should pay only for resources they consume or commit to consuming.
  • The cloud should be a secure, trusted location for running cloud consumer workloads.
  • Cloud consumers should have the option and capability to protect their cloud-based workloads from data loss.
  • Cloud consumers are not responsible for maintaining any part of the shared infrastructure and do not need to interact with the cloud provider to maintain the infrastructure. They are not responsible for storage and network maintenance, ongoing cloud infrastructure patches, or business continuity activities. The cloud should be available to run high-availability workloads, and any faults occurring in the cloud infrastructure should be transparent to cloud consumers as a result of built-in availability, scalability, security, and performance guarantees.

1.3.2. VMware Alignment to Standards

VMware continues to develop technologies that align with evolving cloud standards as defined by NIST and other global standards organizations.

vCloud solutions focus on the following areas:

  • People: People who develop solutions, architect the design, operate the implementation, and consume the resources. (See Operating a VMware vCloud and Consuming a VMware vCloud.)
  • Process: Processes for architects, operators, and consumers.
  • Technology: Alignment with successful design, deployment, and integration considerations. VMware technologies address the relevant areas within the standards.

Standards are still evolving for private, public, community, hybrid, and other types of clouds. vCAT focuses on the most common core design areas. The technology is the same, but operations and vCloud resource consumption vary according to the type of vCloud, the type of vCloud provider, and specific consumer requirements.

  • A private vCloud is operated by an organization and secured behind a firewall.
  • A public vCloud is generally accessible to users on the Internet.
  • A community vCloud is a specific public vCloud use case in which access is limited to specified groups that share a common set of requirements.
  • A hybrid vCloud is characterized by a connection among multiple vCloud instances. Typically, a bridge between two private vCloud instances has a dedicated and secured connection. The underlying network resides behind an Internet-facing firewall.

As cloud computing continues to evolve, many cloud definitions will arise. The information in this toolkit is a valuable aid in support of your vCloud projects, regardless of your chosen definition.

1.3.3. vCloud Definitions

vCAT uses the terms private vCloud, public vCloud, and hybrid vCloud, based on a specific set of definitions that NIST provides.

  • Private cloud:

    A private vCloud (also known as an internal vCloud) operates on private networks, where a single company maintains accessible resources behind the firewall. In many cases, all the tenants share one legal entity. For example, a university might offer IaaS to its medical and business schools, or a company might do the same for various groups or business units. The private vCloud can be managed by the enterprise and hosted on-premises or operated on a dedicated infrastructure provided by a vCloud service provider or systems integrator. In any case, a private vCloud must conform to the organizational security constraints.

  • Public cloud:

    A public vCloud offers IT resources as a service through external service providers and is shared across multiple organizations or the Internet. This can be viewed as a vCloud infrastructure that one organization operates and that multiple, legally separated organizations use.

    A public vCloud is provisioned for open access and might be owned, managed, and operated by one or more entities.

    A public vCloud provider might also support a private, community, or hybrid vCloud.

  • Hybrid cloud:

    A hybrid vCloud combines the benefits of the private and public vCloud, with flexibility and choice of deployment methods.

    A hybrid vCloud consists of multiple, linked vCloud infrastructures. These distinct vCloud infrastructures can be private, community, or public; but they must meet a set of requirements that the providers define and the consumers agree to. Connecting these vCloud instances requires data and application mobility, as well as management.

    When load-balancing between vCloud instances (cloud bursting), use a consistent monitoring and management approach when migrating an application or data workload. For the theory behind cloud bursting, see the Cloud Bursting document.

  • Community cloud:

    A community vCloud is a specific public vCloud use case in which the cloud is shared, and typically owned, by a group of organizations with a common set of requirements. In many cases, the organizations also include some level of legal separation. Community vCloud resources are shared, with some parts under central control and other parts with defined autonomy. A vCloud built for government, education, or healthcare is an example of a community vCloud.

    A community vCloud can be offered by a traditional service provider, by a member of the community, or by a third-party vendor and hosted on one or more sites. It can be placed on-premises at one or more of the organizations’ sites, off-premises at a vCloud provider site, or both on- and off-premises.

1.3.4. Solution Area to Technology Mapping

When considering various technology solutions for your vCloud architecture, evaluate the solution and operational requirements to provide justification for the proposed solution. As VMware continues to develop Software Defined Data Center (SDDC) technologies, we will update the matching Infrastructure as a Service component. Figure 1.2 shows the categories of design considerations for building both a cloud and the underlying SDDC, with the related product technology that is used.

FIGURE 1.2

FIGURE 1.2. Technology areas

Figure 1.3 shows the technologies this vCAT release covers.

FIGURE 1.3

FIGURE 1.3. Technology areas in vCAT

1.3.4.1. VMware Professional Services

VMware offers professional services that align with vCloud use cases. These range from a proof of concept (POC) that might be used as a demonstration environment, to a production deployment that requires management, workflow automation, compliance enforcement, and validation. The following services are available:

  • VMware vCloud POC Jumpstart Service: Provides knowledge transfer workshops and hands-on product installation, configuration, and use demonstrations for the vCloud solution.
  • VMware vCloud Accelerator Service: Rapidly delivers a functioning VMware vCloud implementation suitable for deploying applications in a limited-scale preproduction environment. If all prerequisites are met, this service engagement can be completed in fewer than 30 business days.
  • VMware vCloud Design and Deploy Service: Provides a comprehensive architectural design for VMware vCloud that addresses the customer’s unique business requirements and operational demands, helping to pave the way to vCloud computing. This service is designed for enterprises that have a well-established, vSphere-based virtualization strategy for production workloads and that are ready to take the next step toward building their production vCloud infrastructure.
  • VMware Operational Readiness for Cloud Computing Service: Offers a four- to six-week engagement in which VMware consultants examine existing operational practices to evaluate performance across more than 150 attributes in five key areas. They uncover unknown or hidden barriers to success and highlight areas in which additional focus on people or process can deliver increased productivity, streamline operations, and improve overall vCloud solution results.

Services can be combined or customized to meet your specific requirements.

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020