The Private “Cloud”

After announcing major updates to Windows a few weeks ago Microsoft Corp. offered a new set of cloud computing programs. It unveiled Hyper-V Cloud, that makes it easier for businesses to build their own private cloud infrastructures using the Windows Server platform.


Several hardware manufacturers like Dell Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., HP, IBM Corp. and NEC Corp. have already signed on as Hyper-V Cloud partners in this current deployment. They will help deliver Microsoft validated infrastructure services to enable organizations to implement private clouds.
Privacy and Security
Apparently, many customers are interested in “Cloud” services and operations but have concerns over things like physical infrastructure and security policies. In response, Microsoft’s new private cloud offerings will satisfy that need at the infrastructure level; meanwhile it will provide a clear migration path to cloud services at the platform level.
Hyper-V Private Clouds
Microsoft has existing technologies that are able to meet the concerns and conditions of “cloud” customers.

• Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft’s server platform, delivers comprehensive virtualization and management capabilities through Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V.
• Microsoft System Center, provides the components that organizations need to implement private clouds.
• Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track program, Microsoft and its partners will deliver a broad choice of predefined, validated configurations for private cloud deployments; this included compute, storage, networking resources, virtualization, and management software.

HP and Microsoft have jointly collaborated on the Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track program and developed HP Cloud Foundation for Hyper-V. This architecture combines Microsoft System Center and Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V with the HP BladeSystem Matrix. It will provide customers with a foundation for running business applications within a private cloud-computing environment.

Additional Hyper-V Cloud Components
Microsoft is not stopping there. Their commitment to the cloud include additional services to make it easier for companies to make the move. Here are three:
Hyper-V Cloud Service Provider Program More than 70 service providers worldwide offer infrastructure as a finished, using Microsoft technology.
Hyper-V Cloud Deployment Guides Microsoft is now offering tools and expert guidance developed during hundreds of Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS) customer engagements over the past few years. For customers who want to build their own private clouds on top of existing infrastructure investments the Microsoft experience can be invaluable.
Hyper-V Cloud Accelerate Finally, to tie it all together, Microsoft is making investments to help customers and partners fund proofs of concept, assessments, and production deployments. They want to make sure that the customer’s needs are satisfied and cloud.