Skip to main content

VM role - o noua dimensiune pentru Windows Azure

Windows Azure permite pana in acest moment doua tipuri de instance:
  • web role - similar cu 'Web Application', in principiu orice ce merge pe http si https;
  • worker role - similar cu un 'Windows Service', ruleaza neincetat prelucrand date;
Nu vreau sa intru in amanunte pe aceasta tema. Pe langa aceste doua, Microsoft ne pregateste un nou rol, denumit VM role. In momentul de fata este in ultima faza de testare, urmand sa apara pe piata cat de curand.
VM role-ul o sa ne permita sa controlam in intregime masina. Este nevoie sa cream local local un VM role pe care apoi sa il copiem in cloud. Pe el o sa putem pune de exemplu Windows Server 2003, putem sa controlam tot ce este instalat pe el. Singurul dezavantaj este partea de administrate care o sa fie facuta in totalitate de utilizator. O parte din pachete de update de exemplu nu o sa mai fie facute automat sau configurarea nivelului de securitate. Iar cloud-ul NU ne ofera back-up la aceasta instanta in mod automat. In cazul in care instanta moare, imaginea care o sa fie folosita este cea pe care am trimis-o ultima data spre cloud. Imaginea care este pusa pe cloud si care este folosita de catre instance pentru a initializa un VM role se numeste "golden image".
Putem sa controlam totul pe aceste intante, de la sistemul de operare la ce aplicatii ruleaza si in ce fel. Dar acest lucru se poate intoarce impotriva noastra, trebuie sa facem si partea de administrare, care poate sa fie uneori costisitoare, nu doar din punct de vedere a timpului cat si financiara.
Se recomanda folosirea acestor tipuri de instante in cazul in care configurarea unui web/worker role ia mai mult de 5 minute. Aici nu stiu ce sa zic, s-ar putea ca noi sa nu fi gandit corespunzator modul in care noi facem deploy.
Chiar daca VM role poate sa para pentru unii un vis devenit realitate, eu il vad mai mult ca in compromis. Trebuie din nou sa facem partea de administrare, licentiere si alte lucruri care cresc pretul final si complexitatea proiectului. Trebuie sa avem un motiv intemeiat cand dorim sa alegem aceasta optiune( poate se preteaza pentru aplicatiile deja scrise, in cazul carora costul portarii pe cloud ar fi destul de mic).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why Database Modernization Matters for AI

  When companies transition to the cloud, they typically begin with applications and virtual machines, which is often the easier part of the process. The actual complexity arises later when databases are moved. To save time and effort, cloud adoption is more of a cloud migration in an IaaS manner, fulfilling current, but not future needs. Even organisations that are already in the cloud find that their databases, although “migrated,” are not genuinely modernised. This disparity becomes particularly evident when they begin to explore AI technologies. Understanding Modernisation Beyond Migration Database modernisation is distinct from merely relocating an outdated database to Azure. It's about making your data layer ready for future needs, like automation, real-time analytics, and AI capabilities. AI needs high throughput, which can be achieved using native DB cloud capabilities. When your database runs in a traditional setup (even hosted in the cloud), in that case, you will enc...

Cloud Myths: Migrating to the cloud is quick and easy (Pill 2 of 5 / Cloud Pills)

The idea that migration to the cloud is simple, straightforward and rapid is a wrong assumption. It’s a common misconception of business stakeholders that generates delays, budget overruns and technical dept. A migration requires laborious planning, technical expertise and a rigorous process.  Migrations, especially cloud migrations, are not one-size-fits-all journeys. One of the most critical steps is under evaluation, under budget and under consideration. The evaluation phase, where existing infrastructure, applications, database, network and the end-to-end estate are evaluated and mapped to a cloud strategy, is crucial to ensure the success of cloud migration. Additional factors such as security, compliance, and system dependencies increase the complexity of cloud migration.  A misconception regarding lift-and-shits is that they are fast and cheap. Moving applications to the cloud without changes does not provide the capability to optimise costs and performance, leading to ...

Cloud Myths: Cloud is Cheaper (Pill 1 of 5 / Cloud Pills)

Cloud Myths: Cloud is Cheaper (Pill 1 of 5 / Cloud Pills) The idea that moving to the cloud reduces the costs is a common misconception. The cloud infrastructure provides flexibility, scalability, and better CAPEX, but it does not guarantee lower costs without proper optimisation and management of the cloud services and infrastructure. Idle and unused resources, overprovisioning, oversize databases, and unnecessary data transfer can increase running costs. The regional pricing mode, multi-cloud complexity, and cost variety add extra complexity to the cost function. Cloud adoption without a cost governance strategy can result in unexpected expenses. Improper usage, combined with a pay-as-you-go model, can result in a nightmare for business stakeholders who cannot track and manage the monthly costs. Cloud-native services such as AI services, managed databases, and analytics platforms are powerful, provide out-of-the-shelve capabilities, and increase business agility and innovation. H...