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Cloud4SOA

www.cloud4soa.eu

 

Cloud4SOA (Cloud Interoperability Framework and Platform for user-centric, semantically-enhanced service-oriented application design, deployment and distributed execution) focuses on resolving the semantic interoperability issues that exist in current Clouds infrastructures and on introducing a user-centric approach for applications which are built upon and deployed using Cloud resources.

To this end, Cloud4SOA aims to combine three fundamental and complementary computing paradigms: namely Cloud computing, Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) and lightweight semantics to propose a reference architecture and deploy fully operational prototypes.

The Call for Interoperability

Cloud Computing’s quick rise to the market is flourishing due to clear industry-ready benefits: a business model to decrease capital expenditure, a “pay-as-you-go” service model, public/private/hybrid Infrastructure as Service (IaaS) combinations, storage solutions, dynamic provisioning, and more.

At its high pace the Cloud paradigm brings associated risks, as well, with vendor “lock-in” among the top of the list.  Cloud vendors will be pressed to ensure interoperability with parallel (and competing) platforms as users become more invested in their hosting services.  The future will need a compromise between vendor-distinct innovation and user-friendly standardisation that allows movement of applications and data between providers.

Although standardisation is in its infancy for Clouds, the call for this interoperability between vendors’ platforms not only serves to surpass this barrier in adoption but also ensures increased competition in this evolving user-focussed market.

Cloud4SOA’s Approach and Impact

The Cloud4SOA project contributes towards Cloud interoperability through the following research and innovation related activities:

  • Identify and analyse the semantic interoperability problems within the Cloud by carrying out a comprehensive analysis on both IaaS and PaaS layers, while including stakeholder experience, requirements and feedback. The Cloud Semantic Interoperability Framework will be the result of this exercise, acting as a roadmap for creating such user-oriented platforms.
  • To resolve the most problematic semantic interoperability issues through the Cloud4SOA Reference Architecture which introduces an open, generic architecture for a semantically interoperable Cloud, capitalising on Service Oriented Architecture, lightweight semantics and user-centric design and development principles.
  • Implement, deploy and evaluate the usability, applicability and adaptability of the Cloud4SOA Reference Architecture by developing a proof‐of‐concept platform which will be applied in different scenarios and setups across 3 European industrial and business showcases.

European SME Cloud Marketplace

In addition to its collaboration with standards bodies, Cloud4SOA will reach out to the SME participants in the European Cloud market, including service (IaaS) and middleware (PaaS) providers, as well as user demands.  By highlighting known and potential barriers in interoperability and portability, their consistent feedback is key towards such a framework and platform.  This dynamic keeps the project practical and relevant throughout its lifecycle, needed to accurately address this rapidly evolving Cloud market.

Supporting Expert Group

Cloud4SOA will establish an expert group on Cloud Semantic Interoperability to aid the community building process for discussion and development in Europe.  This group will also be an important external feedback vehicle for project results, including the Cloud4SOA Semantic Interoperability Framework.

Details on how to participate can be found on our website, www.cloud4soa.eu