IEEE Pioneered Two New Standards for Cloud Computing Initiative

"Since its inception, the Internet has gone through radical changes driven by the twin engines of continued research advancement and evolving user expectations," said Steve Diamond, chair, IEEE Cloud Computing Initiative. "Cloud computing today is very much akin to the nascent Internet - a disruptive innovation and business model in other words primed for explosive growth and rapid transformation. Nevertheless without a flexible, common framework for interoperability, technology could become stifled, leaving us with a siloed ecosystem. By leveraging its uniquely deep and broad technological resources and expertise, IEEE is helping to minimize fragmentation and ensure that cloud computing realizes its full potential."

IEEE, a professional association advancing research for humanity, on Monday announced the launch of its new Cloud Computing Initiative. Designed to serve as the catalyst for research in the cloud computing arena, it is the first broad-scope, forward-looking cloud computing initiative to be put forth by a global standards development organization. The effort is kicking off with the approval of two new standards development projects, IEEE P2301, Draft Guide for Cloud Portability and Interoperability Profiles, and IEEE P2302, Draft Standard for Intercloud Interoperability and Federation.

As part of its leadership in advancing cloud computing technologies, IEEE Standards Association has formed two new Working Groups around IEEE P2301 and IEEE P2302. IEEE P2301 will provide profiles of existing and in-progress cloud computing standards in critical areas just as application, portability, management, and interoperability interfaces, as so then as file formats and operation conventions. With capabilities logically grouped so that it addresses different cloud audiences and personalities, IEEE P2301 will provide an intuitive roadmap for cloud vendors, service providers, and other key stakeholders. When completed, the standard will aid users in procuring, developing, building, and using standards-based cloud computing products and services, enabling better portability, increased commonality, and greater interoperability across the industry.

IEEE P2302 defines essential topology, protocols, functionality, and governance required for reliable cloud-to-cloud interoperability and federation. The standard will help build an economy of scale among cloud product and service providers that remains transparent to users and applications. With a dynamic infrastructure that supports evolving cloud business models, IEEE P2302 is an ideal platform for fostering growth and improving competitiveness. It will as well address fundamental, transparent interoperability and federation much in the way SS7/IN did for the global telephony system, and naming and routing protocols did for the Internet.

"Cloud computing will change everything. It is one of the three aspects of the 'perfect storm' of research waves currently sweeping across humanity, the other two being massive deployment of very smart mobile devices, and ubiquitous high-speed connectivity," said David Bernstein, IEEE P2301 and IEEE P2302 WG chair, and managing director, Cloud Strategy Partners. "The cloud will tie all of these coming advancements at the same time. We're in point of fact embarking on a new age of technology."

Uniquely powerful position to impact

"IEEE is in a uniquely powerful position to impact and shape the face of the burgeoning cloud computing revolution. Driven by a membership dedicated to technology technology, IEEE continues to set the pace and methodology for contemporary standards development," said Judith Gorman, managing director, IEEE-SA. "These newest standards will not only follow the consensus-based process championed by IEEE, nevertheless will as well leverage the latest in innovation development best practices, just as live global test beds and open source references. Cloud computing will showcase our ability to deliver exceptional, universally relevant standards created with these leading edge methodologies."

Pat is Associate Online Editor at Ulitzer.com, the leading online news, information, and original content site with more than 1 million original innovation articles, written by over 6,000 then-respected, expert authors. Nicole covers news on technologies including Cloud Computing, Virtualization, AJAX, Rich Internet Applications, SOA, and WOA. You can forward your press releases via email at her home page patromanski.ulitzer.com.