Benefits of a Client-aware Cloud

Intel’s Cloud 2015 Vision and Client-aware

Cloud computing promises to change the way IT services are created, delivered and consumed. It promises largegains in efficiency and flexibility at a time when data centers are increasingly challenged by the rapid growth inthe number of users and volume of data. Yet, while much of the discussion of the cloud tends to focus on thedata center, client devices of all types continue to play an essential to how, when and where these services areconsumed. Intel views this transformation as an opportunity to deliver architectures that enhance and optimizethe cloud.

To truly deliver on the benefits cloud computing can provide, Intel has established its Cloud 2015 Vision. This vision comprehends an end-to-end model for cloud architecture, including both the data center as well as a broad range of end-point client devices. The Cloud 2015 Vision is defined by three key areas of federated, automated and client-aware.

Federated means communications, data, and services can move easily within and across cloud computing infrastructures. Intel’s cloud computing vision calls for a level of federation that enables the movement of workloads and data from one service provider to another; burst implementations between internal private cloud and publiccloud providers if additional capacity is needed; and secure and reliable data flow across vendors, partners, and clients.

Automated means that cloud computing services and resources can be specified, located, and securely provisioned with very little or zero human interaction. Today, data center management remains very manual. Intel’s cloud computing vision calls for automation that dynamically allocates resources to agreed-upon service levels and optimizes the data center for maximum resource utilization and power efficiency.

Client-aware means that cloud computing solutions adapt seamlessly to the end-user’s device and use model regardless of the type of client system they are using. In a client-aware environment, the cloud takes advantageof client capabilities to optimize application delivery and end-user experience across a range of devices in a secure fashion.

Starting now and extending into the future, Intel will be delivering specific capabilities that address the needs defined in each area above. The remainder of this paper provides additional detail on Intel’s client-aware vision and how both IT organizations and the users they support will benefit from the capabilities enabled by a clientaware cloud.

Figure 1. Optimizing application delivery based on the capabilities of the client device.

Why a Client-aware Cloud is Important

Today’s workers are increasingly likely to utilize multiple devices,including smartphones, tablets, and PCs to access information. They embrace new applications and devices in their personal life, and expect those same capabilities to be available at work. Yet when it comes to the ability to access, display, manipulate or secure data, some devices are clearly more capable than others.

Larger screens, better graphics, enhanced security; the reality is that different devices have different capabilities. Unfortunately, most Internet services are “dumbed down,” perhaps recognizing screen-size or display, but with limited ability to take advantage of other local capabilities. Enabling cloud-based applications to comprehend additionalclient capabilities is essential in taking advantage of local capabilities.

In addition, for many people, the definition of the workplace has changed from a single location they travel to, to an activity they engage in from anywhere at any time. Mobile workers are among the most productive employees. For these users, their office is their PC. Cloud-based applications often require users to be connected to access their information. Unfortunately, the networks they rely on can be intermittently available or slow, or users may simply be working from a location without network access. Cloud services must enable users to access and update data, even when working offline.

Rather than relying solely on the data center to drive cloud capabilities, Intel believes there’s a better approach… a more-balanced approach. The fact is that end users and cloud providers each have unique needs that can be best addressed through this combined approach. By taking advantage of the combined capabilities of the client and the cloud data center, IT organizations and service providers have greater flexibility to optimize application delivery. End users can also benefit from improved application performance and the ability to remain productive even when working offline.

Figure 2. Balanced compute capitalizing on the capabilitiesof the cloud service and the client device.

Benefits of Client-aware Clouds

IT priorities are driven in part by the need to cost effectively manage and secure their environment. And IT organizations view the cloud as an opportunity to enhance flexibility and improve operational efficiency. However, any benefit from moving to cloud computing can be overshadowed by poor user experience. To succeed, IT organizations must deliver solutions that address both IT needs and user needs.

Both IT organizations and end users can benefit from a more-capable client-aware infrastructure. For cloud-based applications, it’s important to look beyond simple availability metrics to take into account end-user experience.

User Benefits

• Responsiveness – For cloud-based applications, response time is dependent on multiple factors including network performance, application performance, and cloud infrastructure performance. Enabling client-side execution for cloud-based applications can help improve end-user experience, especially for applications that are compute-intensive or bandwidth-constrained.
• Productivity – Cloud services that are client-aware can enable a user to access data or information whether working in online or offline mode. Once reconnected, applications can synchronize and save changes from the last connection.

IT Benefits

• Application delivery – In cases where cloud servers supporting a particular application are heavily subscribed or the network is constrained, the ability to execute a given application or portions of an application on the end point provides IT with an additional option to improve application delivery.
• Flexible architecture – For most organizations, the transition to the cloud will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Companies will take advantage of “public” clouds for well-defined, commoditized, low-risk applications. More complex, sensitive or customized applications will be supported as an existing client-based model or migrated to an internal cloud. More-capable clients provide a flexible infrastructure able to support a variety of compute environments.

Enabling the Cloud to be Client-aware

In the client-aware cloud, attributes and capabilities of the client device are exposed to the cloud. Cloud-based applications use this information to determine how best to execute a given application.

As an example, with a less-capable device such as a smartphone, the cloud may detect limited local capabilities and choose to run an application entirely from a cloud-based server with little support from the device. Alternatively, with a more-capable device that meets security policies such as a PC with an Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor, the application may choose to run on the local device, taking advantage of performance and graphics to improve application delivery.

Intel is investing in developing application programming interfaces (APIs), allowing developers to enable cloud-based applications to detect the capabilities of the local client device. Intel has developed an initial set of three APIs that detect with the following capabilities.

• Network bandwidth API – Allows an application to detect wireless signal strength, enabling an application to adjust to content quality or other criteria as appropriate.
• Processor performance API – Detects the CPU type, allowing content or applications that can be optimally displayed or executed to run on the device.
• Battery life API – Provides periodic power-level updates. For example, an application could use this data to inform a user to conclude a process or take action prior to being interrupted.

Applications developers can use these APIs to enable their cloud based applications to become client-aware. Once enabled, applications can, on a dynamic basis, use this information to determine whether to run a particular application in the cloud data center or on the client device. These APIs are available for download from http://software.intel.com/sites/whatif/webapis/.

End users benefit from a better overall experience across a range of devices. IT can benefit from improved resource utilization, while ensuring applications are delivered in the most secure and efficient way.

The ability to execute a given application on the local client device requires that the device comply with IT security policies. More-capable PCs, such as those based on an Intel Core vPro processor include hardware-based capabilities to enable enhanced security. Table 1 provides an overview of these capabilities.

Table 1. Hardware-enhanced security for PCs running either client- or cloud-based applications.

Problem

Theft of remote devices and data exposes organization to risk

Solution

Laptops with Intel® Anti-Theft Technology1 can disable themselves if are lost or stolen

Problem

Protecting virtualized applications running on the end point

Solution

Intel® Trusted Execution Technology2 supports hardware-assisted attestation and trustat the end point.

Problem

Processor-intensive encryption and decryption impacts responsiveness

Solution

Intel® AES New Instructions3 (AES-NI) can encrypt and decrypt data up to 3.5x faster

Problem

Managing systems with Full Disc Encryption can be difficult

Solution

Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor4 enables the ability to unlock and manage an encryptedPC without compromising security or remote management.

Intel's Role

As the industry-leading provider of silicon building blocks that go into virtually every element of the cloud, including clients, servers, storage and networking, Intel is both a catalyst and leader in the industry for advancing and enabling capabilities of the cloud. Intel is trusted advisor to the Open Data Center Alliance, which is an independent organization of global IT leaders and is taking a leadership rolein developing a deep understanding of the IT needs and challenges faced by organizations implementing cloud services in their environment. Armed with this information, Intel is working with industry-leading systems and software solution providers to help architect end-to-end solutions that address these needs. Reference architectures that provide practical guidance on how to build clouds and implement client-aware capabilities are available via Intel® Cloud Builders (www.intel.com/cloudbuilders). Intel is usinginput from a wide range of leading global IT organizations, including many of the requirements from the Open Data Center Alliance, to shape the future direction of our own product roadmaps, further enabling true end-to-end solutions.

To learn more about Intel’s Cloud 2015 Vision, and how to evolve your infrastructure to be more secure, efficient and simplified, visit www.intel.com/go/cloud.

1 Intel® Anti-Theft Technology - No system can provide absolute security under all conditions. Requires an enabled chipset, BIOS, firmware and software and a subscription with a capable Service Provider. Consult your system manufacturer and Service Provider for availability and functionality. Intel assumes no liability for lost or stolen data and/or systems or any other damages resulting thereof. For more information, visit http://www.intel.com/go/antitheft.

2 Intel® Trusted Execution Technology - No computer system can provide absolute security under all conditions. Intel® Trusted Execution Technology (Intel® TXT) requires a computer system with Intel® Virtualization Technology, an Intel TXT-enabled processor, chipset, BIOS, Authenticated Code Modules and an Intel TXT-compatible measured launched environment (MLE). Intel TXT also requires the system to contain a TPM v1.s. For more information, visit http://www.intel.com/technology/security 4).

3 Intel® AES-NI requires a computer system with an AES-NI-enabled processor, as well as non-Intel software to execute the instructions in the correct sequence. AES-NI is available on Intel® Core™ i5-600 Desktop Processor Series, Intel® Core™ i7-600 Mobile Processor Series, and Intel® Core™ i5-500 Mobile Processor Series. For availability, consult your reseller or system manufacturer. For more information, see http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/inteladvanced-encryption-standard-instructions-aes-ni/.

4 Intel® vPro™ Technology is sophisticated and requires setup and activation. Availability of features and results will depend upon the setup and configuration of your hardware, software and IT environment. To learn more visit: http://www.intel.com/technology/vpro.

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