Hi Moderator/Mukina,
please can we have a BOARD dedicated to :
a: networks and hardware, for guys into networking, telecoms, Servers, Billing etc
b: Project managers: test analyst, Data analyst, Project Managers, Business Analyst, Contract management , invoice management etc
c: infrastructure: SCCM, SCOM, Biztalk, Opsmanger, Deployments, exchange, Lync, OCS etc
d: Virtualisation: VMware, Citrix, Xen server, XenApp, Xen desktops, VDI's and cloud computing etc

c and D can be grouped together

i believe this is the next level, though a lot are not into it yet but we could do with informationsfrom memmbers.

Virtualisation And Cloud Computing

Yeah, that's the new trend in IT: Cloud computing & Virtualization.

CLOUD COMPUTING:
SaaS: Many mid-sized will be able to afford the expensive software, because they'll only have to pay to use the service online. Compare 'buying' an original CD of ORACLE Database 11g (which is currently over N2m) to paying as low as N250k - N400k (as the case may be) to use this software application with its FULL features online.

Another important thing is that if the software is upgraded (say from Oracle Database 11g this year to Oracle Database 12g, you'll not worry about getting the new version because your cloud hosts would upgrade and then you still pay the N250k to use the application.

These are some of the applications (I think) might be in hot demand in Saas:

1. ERP applications (Microsoft Dynamics AX, Oracle E-Business Suite, SAP, Sage ERP, etc)
2. Database software (Oracle Database 11g, SQL Server)
3. You are free to add more,


Data Hosting: I have observed that some small & mid-sized businesses might be needing Cloud companies to securely host their data for them. Why would they do this? They'd need steady Power supply and 24/7 availability.

coming with more,

.NET

^^^^Excellent: More Please!

Cloud computing is the next technological invention that could be as big as the internet itself! It's a sort of tech minds running riot.

Lemme break it down for u buddy. It's all just big grammar: in simple terms, it means making use of technology in a streamlined version. No more need for expensive hardwares and software requirements to run everyday applications!

Look at it this way- gone are those days when you'll need computers with mouth- watering configurations. Every harware and software requirements (including storage space) is being hosted on some companies' supercomputers that offer cloud computing (e.g. Microsoft, IBM, Google, etc)!

All u need is just a 'simple' machine with a processor, monitor n keyboard. U may or may not acquire hard disks, CD/DVD roms, camera (it's ur choice of flashing cash).

What brings the machine to life is the cloud computing interface (internet connectivity!). U link to the back-end (cloud host) and from here u access all applications that you have 'subscribed' for with ur account on the host, either as an individual or an organization.

Manageabiltiy, cost effectiveness and user- friendliness are all its 'pluses'. Major concerns are security and privacy of data. B y security I mean handling data on our local machines these days are even at the risk of loss or hardware crashes. How much more a hosting company handling a lot of clients' data. The question is 'Is my data safe in the hands of the host?'

By privacy I mean 'Are companies ready to trust hosting companies in terms of handling their organiztional/employee private information and documents?' It may interest u to know that most companies dont even let their operational documents beyond their organizational firewall. So are these sorta companies gonna let hosting firms handle such data? I don't think so!

Cloud computing is still a very hush hush thing for now but I believe the very core of the concept is gonna embrace sunshine world over.

@monclar coats: thanks buddy for ur thorough article. I look forward to gaining more knowledge on this concept from every participating member.

you're right fhemmie!, but you should have summed up all your text in one post. dont you think so?

.NET

Oops! My bad. Be it in speech or writing, I just sort of have a knack for breaking my write-ups into sections of thought. I communicate better that way. I hope I have not broken any rules in here?

The part where you harped on Security & Trust is very true. I think people, companies are even scared of their own storage capabilities, let alone entrusting their files with a hosting company.

.NET

Well i thought cloud computing only allows you access to applications. for example, you need to open your office 2007 word document and you don't have office 2007 installed on your system, cloud computing allows to connect to their application services so you can view your files. Your files still remains on your local desktop.  more like Citrix xen app.

Sky-walker:

Well i thought cloud computing only allows you access to applications. for example, you need to open your office 2007 word document and you don't have office 2007 installed on your system, cloud computing allows to connect to their application services so you can view your files. Your files still remains on your local desktop.  more like Citrix xen app.

No bro. That's just a part of it called Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

.NET

Just a quick question. Is Nigeria really into Cisco or companies just like people with Cisco certificates?

Sky-walker:

Just a quick question. Is Nigeria really into Cisco or companies just like people with Cisco certificates?

lots of folks have CCNP, but Cisco gadgets are popular only amongst the ISPs , banks, Telcos, O&G coys and big companies.

SMBs use Netgear, D-Link, Windows/Linux servers, etc.

yamakuza:

lots of folks have CCNP, but Cisco gadgets are popular only amongst the ISPs , banks, Telcos, O&G coys and big companies.

SMBs use Netgear, D-Link, Windows/Linux servers, etc.

When you say gadgets,do you mean most of their gadgets are cisco or just thier routers. where i work we use just Cisco as the router and others are netgears. I see this trend a lot in uk here. i have never seen a Cisco Switch (well just one from the site my company just acquired) but most swicthes dont need to be managed,

I asked this question because people say i should go for Cisco certificates and CCIE when most of the products of everyuday use of most IT guys are Microsoft Symantec, VMware. i personally feel once someone has ccna and learns how to connect routers for a company and mayb site to site VPN, i feel thats enough from Cisco unless he wants to be a consultant. there so many things to learn in IT and trying to be CCIE and not know other technologies which are more common than Cisco does not really sit well with me. I am kind of like scared of Cisco cuz i have to keep typing command all the time.

Sky-walker:

When you say gadgets,do you mean most of their gadgets are cisco or just thier routers. where i work we use just Cisco as the router and others are netgears. I see this trend a lot in uk here. i have never seen a Cisco Switch (well just one from the site my company just acquired) but most swicthes dont need to be managed,

I asked this question because people say i should go for Cisco certificates and CCIE when most of the products of everyuday use of most IT guys are Microsoft Symantec, VMware. i personally feel once someone has ccna and learns how to connect routers for a company and mayb site to site VPN, i feel thats enough from Cisco unless he wants to be a consultant. there so many things to learn in IT and trying to be CCIE and not know other technologies which are more common than Cisco does not really sit well with me. I am kind of like scared of Cisco cuz i have to keep typing command all the time.

By gadgets, i mean more than routers. The whole works: routers, switches, VPN Concentrators, IDS, etc.

Only the top dogs can afford such deployments, and they'd rather employ a CCNP/CCIE to manage/consult.

Compare that number to the x100,000 small businesses that need just a CCNA/MCSA/jack-of-all-trades.

All in all, it pays to have a wide array of certs/specialties under one's belt, and then to advance each as each job/contract demands.

yamakuza:

By gadgets, i mean more than routers. The whole works: routers, switches, VPN Concentrators, IDS, etc.

Only the top dogs can afford such deployments, and they'd rather employ a CCNP/CCIE to manage/consult.

Compare that number to the x100,000 small businesses that need just a CCNA/MCSA/jack-of-all-trades.

All in all, it pays to have a wide array of certs/specialties under one's belt, and then to advance each as each job/contract demands.

You right but then it a case of Jack of all trades. It feel it would be easier if there were lots of organization that allows people to focus on particular thing. E.g the internet and Networking is so vast now, i cant even keep up to it. I am learning Cisco Microsoft,VMware,Citrix and a whole lots. i can only learn how it works and mayb do basic troubleshooting but that does not make me a specialist in all those field . I personally would love to focus my attention on email security and web security but at the moment i just have to learn what is required. I have friends who are into firewall and security and it helps them a lot cuz they focus their attention on that and its big bucks. Not a lot of organization offers that. Like you said, the big companies stays on Cisco while the rest just do join join.

^ I know people who have 25 certs and counting!

25 Certs OMG You serious? wetin happen na, Are they really good in all this fields they have certifications on?

Sky-walker:

25 Certs OMG You serious? wetin happen na, Are they really good in all this fields they have certifications on?

they are excellent in over 50.

They just chose the 25 they could afford/work demanded.

As new jobs/contracts come up, they write the exams needed. Meanwhile, the knowledge is already there.

Is this in Naija or somewhere else?

Sky-walker:

Is this in Naija or somewhere else?

Naija.

How come no one is talking about Cloud Computing?

yamakuza:

Naija.

How come no one is talking about Cloud Computing?

My Naija boys are on fire. that's great . I dont really know much about cloud computing cuz we dont use it at my current work place but from what i know, its a service which is provided to companies so IT administrators dont really handle that aspect a lot here. If there is a problem, they call.

wow. No one is talking again