Cloud Computing Bible

Chapter 11. Managing the Cloud

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Learning about network management software

• Viewing the essential monitoring features

• Using lifecycle management techniques

• Discovering emerging network management interoperability standards

Cloud computing deployments must be monitored and managed in order to be optimized for best performance. To the problems associated with analyzing distributed network applications, the cloud adds the complexity of virtual infrastructure. This is one of the most active areas of product development in the entire cloud computing industry, and this chapter introduces you to the different products in this nascent area.

Cloud management software provides capabilities for managing faults, configuration, accounting, performance, and security; this is referred to as FCAPS. Many products address one or more of these areas, and through network frameworks, you can access all five areas. Framework products are being repositioned to work with cloud systems.

Your management responsibilities depend on the particular service model for your cloud deployment. Cloud management includes not only managing resources in the cloud, but managing resources on-premises. The management of resources in the cloud requires new technology, but management of resources on-premises allows vendors to use well-established network management technologies.

The lifecycle of a cloud application includes six defined parts, and each must be managed. In this chapter, the tasks associated with each ...