What is cloud architecture? The best way to describe it is to think of a “cloud” as being like a giant network of computers, and that computers may be in many places, with the data stored and run on the same servers – like the internet.
A cloud architect works with a business to create cloud systems and networks that support it, providing the storage and processing of information for the company. This might be a business-wide system that helps the company to increase its productivity or streamline the way it performs. These network systems are available in various forms and for several functions.
Some companies prefer architecture solutions that integrate existing equipment, such as printers and scanners with other computer equipment, so that files can be shared. Others prefer to have everything self-contained, which means that all the business applications would be operated remotely using software provided by the cloud architect. For larger businesses that must move information about their businesses every day across different locations, it can be quite beneficial to have data centers within the company, but without an employee within the organization it’s nearly impossible to keep the information running.
These days, a good number of companies that create cloud architecture aren’t looking for a company to develop its infrastructure, they want to find software engineers to design and install the new systems. This way, the cloud architect can concentrate on the actual business, but also the infrastructure. Often these cloud architects aren’t familiar with IT, but they make up for it by being very fast, efficient, and agile.
When a company selects a cloud architect, it has to meet some preliminary requirements. There needs to be an infrastructure in place that supports the operations of the cloud system. Some companies only need to be able to operate data center software, while others need to be able to store and process many different types of information. Then there are those companies that have very specific requirements in the forms of custom software applications that need to be able to integrate with the cloud system.
Cloud systems are designed to be deployed in different locations around the world. In most cases, the cloud can be used just as a large network that provides backup service to a specific location. Many companies use this type of architecture when they are trying to improve efficiency and reduce cost.
Another benefit of cloud architecture is that it creates a cost savings for the company. After all, most cloud companies don’t actually own any hardware – the cloud provider actually owns the servers where the data is stored. The equipment is rented rather than purchased, so the cost of the hardware goes down considerably.
Software engineering makes it possible for these companies to implement a solution quickly and inexpensively. As long as there are only a few types of business applications, then it shouldn’t take very long to bring up a simple configuration. Of course, if the cloud system is being used to host the whole operation, then the cost will go up.
Using cloud architecture is also a great way to manage IT resources, because data centers can be powered and cooled very quickly. At the same time, large volumes of data can be securely stored on the servers. Managers can easily check on a system’s health from any computer in the building.
Most cloud architects use a variety of tools in order to create the right configuration. Some companies will use open source software, while others prefer proprietary software. In both cases, the architecture is based on open source.
The cloud architecture differs from traditional ways of designing and deploying systems. Companies usually make the decision to use a cloud solution with the help of the client. In this case, the decision to choose the cloud was a decision made by the client, as opposed to something decided by the architect.
The cost of hiring a cloud architect is also much less than it would be to buy the equipment and support it. Even if the clients need to bring their own equipment, the cost is still much lower than it would be for them to build their own hardware. Compare this to the costs of buying hardware that will never be used or turning over hardware that’s been in use for decades.
The Dream Job Description for Cloud Architects
Every cloud services provider wants to know: how should I describe the job? While this is a tricky business, there are a few key areas that you need to be aware of.
Every cloud provider needs to have a logo and a brand. You need to design the cloud logo yourself. This is not an easy task, so make sure that you know exactly what you want.
It’s worth spending some time on this part of the job description. Ensure that your logo looks professional and represents your company. Remember that your clients and customers will be interacting with your logo every time they use your service.
If you want to be a cloud architect, then your cloud architect job description needs to focus on 3 important elements. These include your domain, your resource, and your operating system. Your operating system needs to be up-to-date and should reflect the cloud services that you offer.
You also need to pick a basic operating system for your cloud system. So if you use windows, choose windows based on your requirements. You can also pick something like Linux or UNIX, if you want. The choice is entirely yours.
Your domain involves the infrastructure and physical components that support your cloud architecture. The needs of the domain are governed by the architecture that you choose. So remember that this aspect of the job description is crucial. You will be dealing with multiple operating systems, virtual machines, and storage accounts.
Infrastructure management is a vitally important aspect of the cloud architecture that you will have to ensure that you are aware of. You need to ensure that your domain is suitable for the kind of technology that you will use. This includes the use of BPMN or Fault Tolerant Networking.
One more critical area in the cloud architect job description is the identity service. This is where you authenticate users using your domain. If you have a domain that is mostly used for PaaS applications, then you can use LDAP to implement your authentication.
A domain is required to create user accounts. Since a lot of this work is invisible to the end user, it will likely need to be done in secret. That’s why it’s a good idea to implement your own domain security controls.
In account creation, you will need to ensure that it is encrypted with a strong key. You will also need to make sure that it uses strong passwords. Remember that your users will be logging into your system using their private and confidential information. You can’t afford to compromise this in any way.
Most users don’t care about domain governance. You will need to do this as part of your job description. Domain governance is all about approving who is allowed to access your domain. You need to be sure that the files that are protected by your domain are only accessible by the authorized users.
The best place to start when writing your cloud architect job description is to understand what you need to cover. Once you get an overview of what you need to do, then you can start defining your role in more detail.