Page 153 - Cloud computing: From paradigm to operation

Framework and requirements for cloud computing 1

4 Abbreviations and acronyms

This Recommendation uses the following abbreviations and acronyms:
API Application Programming Interface
CSB Cloud Service Brokerage
CSC Cloud Service Customer
CSN Cloud Service Partner
CSP Cloud Service Provider
ID Identification
OS Operating System
SLA Service Level Agreement
SLO Service Level Objectives
URL Uniform Resource Locator

5 Conventions

In this Recommendation:
The keywords "is required" indicate a requirement which must be strictly followed and from which no
deviation is permitted if conformance to this document is to be claimed.
The keywords "is recommended" indicate a requirement which is recommended but which is not absolutely
required. Thus this requirement need not be present to claim conformance.

6 Overview of cloud service brokerage

6.1 Introduction to cloud service broker
The cloud service broker is a sub-role of cloud service partner (CSN) that negotiates relationships between
cloud service customers (CSCs) and cloud service providers (CSPs). The cloud service broker is not itself a
cloud service provider and should not be confused with the role of inter-cloud provider [ITU-T Y.3502]. The
role of cloud service broker could be combined with or operate independently of the role of inter-cloud
provider. Only three activities of cloud service broker have been identified in [ITU-T Y.3502] such as (i) acquire
and assess customers, (ii) assess marketplace and (iii) set up legal agreement. A detailed description for these
activities follows:

– acquire and assess customers: The cloud service broker provides CSCs with available cloud services
accompanied by associated information such as service level agreements (SLAs) and contract terms.
The cloud service broker also assesses CSC's needs and requirements;
– assess marketplace: The cloud service broker constructs product catalogues by surveying the
product offerings with technical and business information from CSPs. Any changes of the contents
of corresponding product catalogues are notified to the cloud service broker. If there is a request
on cloud service from a CSC, the cloud service broker performs a matching process between product
offerings and CSC's requirements including technical, business and regulatory aspects;
– set up legal agreement: The cloud service broker negotiates service agreements between the CSC
and the CSP in terms of legal agreements as well as terms and prices to complete a contract.
After the contract between a CSC and a CSP by the "set up legal agreement" activity, the CSC uses the selected
cloud services. In order for the CSC to use the cloud services, additional considerations are required as
follows:
– A CSC uses cloud services from CSPs through access information delivered by the cloud service
broker;

– The cloud service broker also manages and monitors the cloud services.

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