Cloud Computing and Virtualisation Assignment -

This assignment focuses on three Unit Learning Outcome of this unit, these are:

1. Utilise a range of cloud computing tools and technologies to design and analyse cloud-computing systems.

2. Evaluate the characteristics and applications of cloud-based and non-cloud solutions to discuss potential benefits, risks and peculiarities from a technical and non-technical perspective.

3. Evaluate given requirements and select the most appropriate cloud technology to solve given computing problems.

The Given Scenario -

S-mart is a fictitious national retail company that owns and runs many stores throughout cities of Australia. S-mart has not only one or more stores in every city having a population of more than 10,000 people, but also an online store. Their administrative headquarters are located in Melbourne, some administrative functions are accessible online too.

S-mart has contacted you to be their cloud computing consultant, and its management want to know about cloud computing. Additional details about this company are:

• S-mart stocks more than 50,000 product lines, all based around packaged groceries and perishables like those found in major supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, and IGA.
• S-mart has a very large customer base, which can cause high workload, for staff and IT resources, throughout the year at both unpredictable and seasonal times.
• A large amount of data, related to S-mart lines, customers and their purchases, are collected and stored. This data is processed as "big data" on a weekly basis, and results of processing are used to inform both customers and staff.
• As S-mart is a large national company, its staff are organised into many teams. Each team is associated with one or more stores. There are many tasks of this business: buying, selling, distribution, marketing, planning, seasonal sales, reports, catalogues, big data analysis, human resources, finance, R&D, security, IT, and so on. Each team is assigned to one of these tasks, and one task can be assigned one or more teams.

Questions - The above scenario must be used when answering the following questions.

1. Cloud Benefits - Provide 5 reasons why S-mart would benefit by using a cloud system?

2. Cloud Risks - Provide 5 reasons why S-mart would be at risk by using a cloud system?

3. Cloud Based System Design - Draw a design of a cloud based system for storing, accessing, updating, processing, securing, sharing, and publishing S-mart data and information.

4. Design Justifications - For each element in your design, provide one or more reasons why you included that that element in your design.