Page 875 - Cloud computing: From paradigm to operation

Intercloud and interoperability 5

This Recommendation covers the typical functional components, not all components, and interworking
among them in clauses 7, 8 and 9.

5.1 Common aspects to be considered in cloud computing interoperability testing

The aspects which should be considered for the testing of cloud computing interoperability need to be
prescribed according to the requirements described in [ITU-T Y.3501]. The following items, picked up from
the general requirements for cloud computing [ITU-T Y.3501], indicate common aspects to be considered in
cloud computing interoperability testing:
• Service life-cycle management
It is required that cloud computing supports automated service provisioning, modification and termination
during the service life-cycle.
• Regulatory aspects

It is required that all applicable laws and regulations be respected, including those related to privacy
protection.
• Security

It is required that the cloud computing environment be appropriately secured to protect the interests of all
persons and organizations involved in the cloud computing ecosystem.

• Accounting and charging
It is recommended that cloud computing supports various accounting and charging models and policies.
• Efficient service deployment

It is recommended that cloud computing enables efficient use of resources for service deployment.
• Interoperability
It is recommended that cloud computing systems comply with appropriate specifications and/or standards
for allowing these systems to work together.
• Portability

It is recommended that cloud computing supports the portability of software assets and data of cloud service
customers (CSCs) with minimum disruption.
• Service access

Cloud computing is recommended to provide CSCs with access to cloud services from a variety of user
devices. It is recommended that CSCs be provided with a consistent experience when accessing cloud services
from different devices.
• Service availability, service reliability and quality assurance

It is recommended that the cloud service provider (CSP) provides end-to-end quality of service assurance,
high levels of reliability and continued availability.

5.2 Infrastructure capabilities type interoperability testing
Cloud infrastructure includes compute, storage, network and other hardware resources, as well as software
assets. Abstraction and control of physical resources are essential means to achieve on-demand and elastic
characteristics of cloud infrastructure. This way, physical resources can be abstracted into virtual machines
(VMs), virtual storage and virtual networks. The abstracted resources are controlled to meet cloud service
customers' (CSC) needs. [ITU-T Y.3510]
The goal for cloud infrastructure capabilities type interoperability is to devise and implement testing methods
and conduct a basic set of functional tests for infrastructure capabilities type (IaaS) Interoperability in a hybrid
cloud environment using both private and public clouds.

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