This proposed project seeks to address the need for a cloud-based to be used by PHI Engineering Design. Cloud technology has gained popularity following its use of services that are not physically located in the business environment. Like any other company, PHI Engineering Design would not like to overrun budget allocation by using money in unnecessary activities and hence the need for a cloud-based system. After evaluating the top cloud providers, a solution was provided by picking the one that best suits PHI Engineering Design. The decision was based on the advantages and disadvantages of each cloud provider. A virtual private cloud (VPC) will be useful to ensure optimal security of data.
Introduction
The proposed project focuses on providing the appropriate platform to handle tasks at hand. The aim is to provide PHI Engineering Design with the best network solution that serves both logistics and economically beneficial. Working in a cloud-based system is essential for companies expanding since it makes it easy to monitor all services at a little cost. Big corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have been known to provide effective cloud-based platforms. However, it is important to consider data security even when using a cloud-based system as many people fear data leakage due to increased cyber-crime activities.
Statement of Need
PHI Engineering Design needs to expand the services offered by the company to other locations. It is headquartered in Texas, but opportunities have arisen in other states, and it has to move to such regions. More specifically the company is aiming to expand its services to the Northern United States. Moving to a cloud-based system would be beneficial for the company as this would cut costs associated with physical infrastructures such as hired technicians and racks to monitor the equipment effectively. However, the key to success would be finding a way to secure the client’s information.
Assumptions
Multiple assumptions were made for the success of the project. For instance, the company would like to find a way to expand using the lowest evaluated cost. Additionally, the organization would also like to convince clients that their information is secure even in the cloud-based system. These assumptions are vital as they guide in determining the objectives set by the company in moving to a cloud-based platform. It is also evident that most companies switch to digital technology of operations following its effectiveness.
Description of Current Infrastructure
In moving to a cloud-based system, it will be important to describe the current infrastructure, which is set to be migrated to the cloud system. The company’s infrastructure is made to maintain and monitor a support system located in the same geographical setting. The premise is equipped with servers that elicit services associated with software applications. Setting up a cloud-based platform means eradicating the issue of hiring technicians and racks to monitor the system.
Cloud Service Providers
Three cloud-based system providers were evaluated, including Google platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure. These three companies offer services via a cloud-based system and have a large pool of clients. Each of the company was assessed based on pros and cons as the key strategy of eliminating them to have one appropriate provider for PHI Engineering Design eventually.
AWS is one of the largest cloud platform which offers Amazon cloud services. AWS comes with the advantages of eliminating upfront fees, and the services are “pay-as-you-go.” Considering the “pay-as-you-go” benefit, one has to pay for the service and the resources used. There are no required monthly bills or subscriptions for the services and resources that have not been used. AWS also offers other services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) [1]. This system offers network and cloud storage services, which seems to meet PHI Engineering Design needs satisfactorily. AWS is easy to use, which makes the service efficient to navigate. However, the downside of AWS is the billing system, which can be complicated and sophisticated, bringing confusion. Other cloud-based systems do not grant one control of the backup infrastructure, and hence data security is prone to leakage.
Microsoft Company offers a secure cloud-based system called Azure which has gained popularity. The company offers similar services with AWS, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS [2]. Microsoft Azure comes with the benefits of the “pay-as-you-go” service. The “Pay-as-you-go” service has been applauded as a good service for cloud providers attempting to remain realistic and competitive. Azure cloud-based system has suffered backslides over the years, which lowers the platform’s popularity and positive reviews.
Google Company offers cloud-based platform that comes with data storage privacy. The company’s cloud platform services range from computing to data storage and has many clients globally. Its cloud platform has 22 divisions across 66 zones which are located globally [3]. The company also offers virtual private cloud (VPC), which is ideal for securing sensitive data. Additionally, the pay scale is offered via pay as you go and is flexible.
Project Details (Building VPC and Launching Web Server)
Building a VPC on AWS
- Using the AWS management console, search and select VPC
- Launch the VPC wizard
- Locate and select “VPC with a single subnet.”
- Name it as “PHI Engineering Design VPC.”
- Public IPv4 CIDR 10.0.0.0/24
- In the availability zone, select “No Preference.”
- Use the subnet name “DA Subnet 1.”
- Select “Yes” to enable DNS hostnames
- Select “Default” as the hardware tenancy
- Enter, “create VPC.”
Web Server Launching on AWS Steps
- From the console management, click EC2
- Enter “Launch Instance.”
- Click “Amazon Linux AMI 2018.03.0 (HVM SSD Volume Type”
- Select “t2. micro”
- Click “Configure instance details.”
- Select “1” as the number of instances
- The network is “PHI Engineering Design.”
- Select “Add Storage”
- Maintain the default settings
- Select “existing security group.”
- Enter “Review and launch.”
- Choose an existing key pair
- Select “Launch Instances”
Probable Challenges Encountered
AWS cloud platform is user-friendly, and anything that seems ambiguous or does not make sense can be searched online. However, configuring the subnet presents challenges such as duplicate IP addresses and DNS problems. In the event that the IP addresses generated are similar, a conflict arises and the platform may present challenges. This means that the IP addresses should be set in a way that they are dissimilar. Another challenge would be navigating through the payment method of the AWS since it has been presented as a confusing one. However, after a few days, every staff will be aware on how to navigate through the system and hence overcome the challenge.
Conclusion
AWS proved to be the appropriate cloud platform for PHI Engineering Design from the analysis of pros and cons of the three companies. The decision was arrived at since AWS offers the most effective services to help PHI Engineering Designs expand to the Northern United States. Since the company has unstable finances, AWS affordability would make the transition an effective one as it does not require upfront costs and offers “pay-as-you-go” services. Although the risk of data leakage still lurks in cloud platform use, the reward is greater than the anticipated risk. AWS is one of the widely used cloud-based platform and hence any challenges encountered the solutions are available online. The other cloud-based platforms may present challenges in navigating through since they do not have much popularity as AWS. Therefore, AWS will suit PHI Engineering Design as it matches with the company’s objectives and needs.
References
- N. Sados, “The 5 Benefits of AWS (And 3 Drawbacks) for Your Business,” 2019. Web.
- S. J. Bigelow, “What is Microsoft Azure and how does it work?” Search Cloud Computing, 2020. Web.
- S. Fulton, “What Google Cloud Platform is and why you’d use it,” ZDNet, 2019. Web.