Pros and Cons of Network Services: An Overview of Application Hosting and SLAs
This article outlines the advantages and disadvantages of network services, particularly focusing on application hosting alternatives and service level agreements (SLAs). Key benefits include mobility for mobile workers, cost savings on IT infrastructure and personnel, and continuous software upgrades with expert support. However, drawbacks such as potential data insecurity, flexibility issues, and vendor reliability are also discussed. A thorough understanding of these aspects is crucial for businesses considering cloud solutions or other hosting options.
Pros and Cons of Network Services: An Overview of Application Hosting and SLAs
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Presentation Transcript
Network application pros and cons Skills: none Concepts: network services pros and cons, service level agreement, application hosting alternatives This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.
Where does this topic fit? • Internet concepts • Applications • Technology • Implications • Internet skills • Application development • Content creation • User skills
Network services pros and cons + The application can be run from anywhere, including by mobile workers + Savings in in-house IT infrastructure + Savings in in-house personnel – system administrators and developers + The service provider has specialized expertise and skilled employees + Software can be continuously upgraded and debugged + Vendor sees how the application is used, and can focus on what people want + Upgrades do not have to be installed on client machines + Initial investment by the user is minimized ? Operating expense may be greater or less ? Reliability and availability may be increased or decreased - Intruders may be able to access the application - The service might not be as flexible and well tailored as software written in house - The service vendors may go out of business - The service vendor may alter the service, pricing, etc. - Data may be insecure at the vendor's site, particularly if it is out of the country - Exporting your data may be difficult or impossible, locking you into the service
Gmail down
Google Wave is discontinued “We don't plan to continue developing Wave as a standalone product, but we will maintain the site, at least through the end of the year”. Senior Vice President UrsHolzle 8/04/2010 02:00:00 PM Zap!!
Hosting options Who owns the hardware? (User/Vendor) Where is it located? (Local/Cloud) Who owns the application software? (User/Vendor)
Summary Zap!!
Self-study questions Give an example for each of the pros and cons listed in the initial slide. Some university experience with network applications: http://cis471.blogspot.com/search/label/university%20cloud Pick one of the pros and cons and create a slide that illustrates it. Like my slides, yours should include an image, and notes for explanation. Find an example of a situation in which each of the four hosting options we mentioned is used.
Resources Google Apps dashboard: http://www.google.com/appsstatus#hl=en Announcement that Google Wave would be dropped: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/update-on-google-wave.html
