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Previously we went over some of the services available via the Public Cloud.  This edition, we wrap up our series with a look at some Private Cloud offerings.
 
Client Backup – “Client” refers to a PC or a notebook.  Particularly useful for Windows based laptop fleets that do not make it back to the office regularly; as long as a laptop has an Internet connection, important data can be backed up to the cloud.  Think about the amount of work stored on a mobile worker's laptop between office visits.  What if all that data was lost?
 
Utilising Online backup and disaster recovery infrastructure, we can back up critical files and systems.  Backups can be automated, building in another level of reliability and can also provide redundancy when used with traditional backup to external hard drive.  It also builds centralised management, restoration and alerting into the business continuity model.
 
It works by backing up changes that have occurred on the machine’s hard drive at regular intervals, to a central repository managed in the cloud.  Keep in mind that if backups are performed over 3G, this can use quite a bit of data if the user is making a substantial amount of changes.
 
One other thing to consider with any cloud based backup is the integrity and sovereignty of your data.  You have much more control and visibility of this in a Private Cloud scenario as opposed to Public Cloud, but is still worth asking the questions of “where is my data going” and “who has control”.
 
Cloud DR – Extending the idea of backing up Client PCs to the cloud, with the right mix of upload bandwidth, storage space and backup software, it is entirely possible to replicate server backups to a central repository in our datacentre, on a very near real time basis.
 
We can then verify the data by periodically conducting test restores.  These backup images can be used to test patches and upgrades in the cloud before rolling them out on the servers in your production environment.  In a true Disaster Recovery scenario, we could restore your backups to virtual servers and potentially have your business operational in the cloud in just a few hours.
 
We call this the “belt and braces” approach to business continuity; having backup drives that are potentially rotated offsite, as well as replicating backups to the cloud.  If the human components fail (backup drives aren’t plugged in, or they’re left in the boot of a car over a long, stinking hot weekend) there are still backup images available in the cloud.  If the infrastructure fails (the footpath outside the building is dug up, cables are accidently cut and Internet is out for 3 days) there are still backup images available on the rotation drives.  Basically if one method nose-dives, the other is still viable.
 
Private Servers – Utilising high end HP Servers and SANs in our datacentres, we are able to provide our clients Private Virtual Servers that they can access from anywhere.  These reduce capital expenditure and scale to suit a company’s growth or contraction.  They are not perfect for every scenario and they are not always cost effective, it just depends on the requirements.  If you have multiple small offices, or you are looking for a way to turn Cap-Ex into Op-Ex they can be a very good solution.
 
Virtual Firewalls – We can offer either a hosted solution via our Private Cloud, or a software appliance that is installed onsite.  Either option can be rented and offer another way to reduce capital expenditure.
 
Routers can give you some basic firewall functionality, but a hosted firewall or dedicated appliance has a lot more capability, in particular around rules and reporting.  You can take a far more granular approach to your network permissions, setting up groups and applying Internet access permissions depending on a person’s role or authority level.  You can then generate daily/weekly/monthly reports that help you monitor productivity and enforce usage policies.  This type of firewall will also handle a far greater through-put, so it is suitable for more beefy Internet connections.
 
Most outsourced firewall solutions don’t allow much in the way of control.  We can enable clients to have logins to their Virtual Firewall, so they can log in themselves and set or change rules if desired.  Of course if you'd prefer, we can manage all of that for you.

We'd be delighted to discuss your thoughts on Private Cloud further.  If you'd like to know more, call 02 8831 8200.

As users are becoming increasingly mobile, the amount of data they carry with them is also on the rise.  For instance, how easy is it now to keep confidential data like your price lists on your phone or iPad? 
 
While this convenience is fantastic, what happens to that data in the event that the device is lost or stolen could be a real concern.  The biggest potential issue is that your username and password by default is saved in the email area and the ability for someone to reply to your emails or download further email from the system is therefore a real risk.
 
We have long said mobile devices should be password protected and should auto delete their memories (often called factory reset or wipe) if the password is entered in wrong, but this isn’t always implemented.
 
We now have another option!  The VSA (Virtual Systems Administrator) software that enables us to remotely access and manage clients’ servers and desktops can now be added to mobile devices.

• Once installed/activated it allows us to do the following:
• Deploy centralised security policies
• Deploy email configuration profiles so the user doesn’t need to know or ask for the settings to connect to your server
• Maintain an inventory of your mobile devices
• Track the location of your devices either in real time or based off location history (yes we can turn this bit off if people are worried)
• Lock, wipe or reset a lost or stolen device

Putting the geek hat on for a moment, let’s say you leave or have your phone stolen while at a restaurant.  With the Mobile Device Management module installed we could simply turn the volume to full, turn the device speaker on, play a sound like “This phone has been stolen, take me back!” or a generic alarm sound and repeating it continually, if that doesn’t work we then have the option to wipe/reset the device so no data is lost.
 
We are still testing the system internally, and with some trial customers, if you are interested we are more than happy to either add you to the trial or to the waitlist for production deployment.