Microsoft is teaming up with computer makers to try to make
its Windows Azure cloud computing system attractive to
government and big corporate customers.
In recent years, companies have started to use technology
called virtualisation, which can let one physical server
computer act as several. That cuts costs for hardware, energy
use and the labour needed to oversee large data centres.
Cloud computing systems build on that trend. Instead of
having to own and operate all those servers, companies can
choose to outsource data centre management.
The companies can store data and give employees access to
software over the internet. And these systems can
automatically ramp up or scale down the computing resources
they devote to any one program, depending on demand.
Microsoft said that PC makers Dell, Hewlett-Packard and
Fujitsu have set up what Microsoft is calling Azure
appliances, or networks of servers in their own data centres
running Azure.
Now the PC makers, which also do technology consulting, can
add cloud computing to their menu of services.
EBay said it would be one of the first customers to use the
Azure platform, in two of its data centres. It has already
tried out the system, specifically for its page of iPad
auction listings.
Some companies, government agencies and others have shied
away from putting programs and data "in the cloud" because of
security concerns. Having a company such as Dell or HP
operate the cloud could help ease their worries.
Microsoft and the PC makers are also working on a version of
the Azure appliance that the PC makers can install in end
customers' own data centres.
The announcement was made during Microsoft's annual partner
conference, held this year in Washington, D.C.
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