Page 276 - Cloud computing: From paradigm to operation

1 Framework and requirements for cloud computing

Appendix I

Overview and reference model for storage in a cloud environment
(This appendix does not form an integral part of this Recommendation.)

Storage resources are used to store a huge amount of data. The traditional storage system utilizes a tightly-
coupled symmetry reference model which aims to work out high performance computing problems and may
fulfil cloud computing scalability requirements. The next generation system adopts a loosely-coupled
asymmetry reference model which centralizes metadata and controls manipulation. This reference model is
not suitable for high performance computing; however, this design is to solve large capacity storage needs
based on cloud computing deployment.
The applications and data in cloud environments need be delivered and maintained reliably using a tightly-
coupled architecture. Other applications (e.g., search engines, media streaming) may rely on loosely-coupled
architecture.

I.1 Reference model for cloud storage
Cloud storage delivers virtualized storage on demand over a network based on cluster, grid and distributed
file systems. When the key issue of operation and processing in cloud computing is the storage and
management of large-scale data, a large number of storage equipment need to be deployed. Hence, cloud
storage is a cloud computing system for data storage and management.

Figure I.1 depicts the cloud storage reference model.

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