1、The Client Aware CloudSummary: Rewind a few years and mobility was the word that represented the exciting new direction for enterprise computing. The vision was that mobile devices would help enterprises spread their wings, cut their costs and thrust forward into a realm of new opportunity.By Alan P
2、riestley for Cloud Builders | November 28, 2011 - 14:52 GMT (06:52 PST)2Comments0VotesinSharemore +Rewind a few years and mobility was the word that represented the exciting new direction for enterprise computing. The vision was that mobile devices would help enterprises spread their wings, cut thei
3、r costs and thrust forward into a realm of new opportunity. Today the benefits of enterprise mobility are pretty much unanimously recognised. The real focus now is how to fuse enterprise mobility with the cloud.To briefly spell out the issues around enterprise mobility and the cloud just think of al
4、l the different mobile devices out there and their different capabilities. Some can run web productivity and communications apps with no issues, others cant. Now consider all the new platforms that are emerging: smartphones that are becoming ever smarter, tablet platforms that are seemingly prolifer
5、ating by the week, laptops with the computing power of high-end PCs and more.Not all devices are created equal which ipso facto means apps often dont function to their full potential across different devices. In short, users often receive a poor experience. Within the context of cloud computing, clu
6、nky and sporadically-streaming apps that dont provide full functionality overshadow the benefits of moving towards the cloud.Yet, with the increasing consumerisation of IT and the growth of cloud computing this is an issue that cant be ignored or sidestepped. Its also an issue that needs to be addre
7、ssed soon given that device proliferation is going to increase many fold in the coming years. A few years down the line computing is not going to be about the device in your pocket in its own right. Instead its going to be about how that device connects with the hardware in your car, the sensors emb
8、edded in sports stadiums, computing in retail outlets in short, intelligent connectivity everywhere. This also means a lot of very varied engagements with the cloud.There are several ways of addressing the issue of poorly performing web apps but broadly speaking a consistent user experience can be a
9、chieved by ensuring devices are context aware. Put simply, this means that cloud services are able to establish what client device is being used and what its capabilities are. As a result, the web application can perform optimally on the device.This state of contextual awareness can be achieved by c
10、reating APIs that let web developers add Javascript to their applications so information about the device can be gathered. This includes details about the processor, bandwidth, screen resolution and so on. The web application then automatically adjusts to the device based on the characteristics of t
11、hat device.For example, some of these API functions can include allowing an application to detect wireless signal strength so it can adjust content quality; establishing the CPU type so applications can be optimally displayed or executed; and periodic power updates to inform a user to conclude a pro
12、cess if, for example, battery power is running low. You can find out more here.In short, client-aware devices expose their attributes and capabilities to the cloud. In turn the cloud must be able to detect device capabilities and choose to either run an application from a cloud-based server for a de
13、vice with limited capabilities or to download the application and run it on the device when the device has suitable performance and capabilities. Enabling the cloud to detect device capabilities and state will also enable decisions to be made about the type of data the device can access and this wil
14、l help enterprise IT maintain their security policies.However, on the road to a truly client-aware cloud, this is only a first step, albeit a significant one. The ideal, which we should endeavour to reach, is a dynamic state in which devices and applications automatically react to each other ensurin
15、g the best possible service is delivered. To ensure that we slide fluidly into the age of context-aware cloud computing, rather than jolt along awkwardly, the industry needs to agree on universal standards so all manufacturers can help realise the true potential of the cloud. In turn, this means the
16、 end-user is using optimally performing apps whatever the client device.Topic: CloudAbout Alan PriestleyIm a multi-year Intel veteran, and currently hold the role of Strategic Marketing Director within EMEA.My time with Intel began with a role supporting all the PC design accounts in the UK - back i
17、n the days when the i286 was the latest and greatest processor on the Intel roadmap. Since then, Ive moved through various technical and product marketing roles, including being responsible for launching the Xeon processor product line in EMEA and managing the Itanium program office.At present, Im r
18、esponsible for Intels high-end server business and Cloud Marketing strategy in EMEA. This puts me at the hub of major developments in both server technology, and the cloud ecosystem its powering. Im now very involved with the Intel Cloud Builders programme.ContactKick off your day with ZDNets daily email newsletter. Its the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.
