Cloud Computing Environment

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cloud computing environment 102 in II embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. As shown, cloud computing environment 102 includes one or more cloud computing nodes 104 with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 112, desktop computer 110, laptop computer 106, and/or automobile computer system 108 may communicate. Nodes 104 may communicate with one another. The nodes 104 may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such as private, community, public, or hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof, which allows cloud computing environment 102 to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices 112-N shown in Figure 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes 104 and cloud computing environment 102 can communicate with any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser). 

Figure 2 is a diagram of abstraction model layers of a cloud computing environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. In Figure 2, a set of functional abstraction layers provided by cloud computing environment 102 (Figure 1) is shown. It should be understood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shown in Figure 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers and corresponding functions are provided: 

hardware and software layer 208 includes hardware and software components. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 242; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 244; servers 246; blade servers 248; storage devices 250; and networks and networking components 252. In some embodiments, software components include network application server software 254 and database software 256. 

Virtualization layer 206 provides an abstraction layer from which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers 226; virtual storage 234; virtual networks 236, including virtual private networks; virtual applications and operating systems 238; and virtual clients 240. 

In one example, management layer 204 may provide the functions described below. Resource provisioning 212 provides dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing 214provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one example, these resources may include application software licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User portal 216 provides access to the cloud computing environment for consumers and system administrators. Service level management 218 provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment 222 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA. 

Workloads layer 202 provides examples of functionality for which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping and navigation 210; software development and lifecycle management 220; virtual classroom education delivery 224; data analytics processing 228; transaction processing 230; and file transfer processing 232.