Sub-Forum suggestion: "Linux - Cloud"

I'd like to suggest a "Linux - Cloud" sub-forum under "Linux - Server" or "Linux - Virtualization". The topic scope would span from commercial to in-house cloud infrastructure administration, development and usage of and in those infrastructures.

Thanks for the feedback. While I think many of these question fit into existing fora nicely, I'd be interested in whether other members feel there is sufficient demand for Linux - Cloud sub-forum.

--jeremy

Originally Posted by Skaperen I'd like to suggest a "Linux - Cloud" sub-forum ...

+1 from me.

Haven't forgot about this suggestion, but also haven't made a decision yet either. Are any members against a Linux - Cloud forum (probably a sub-forum)? Any additional thoughts for or against?

--jeremy

Here's an example of a question I would like to ask in relation to cloud software and/or providers (please do not answer it here ... answer it when/if it gets posted in an appropriate area):

Cloud services seems to make networking more complicated than I think it should be, especially for integrating fixed IP addresses. I wonder if OpenStack makes it any easier. How I think it should be done is, an account/user should be able to create a "CLAN" (Cloud Local Area Network) object, connect instance interfaces to it, define its access rules (much like AWS Security Groups), as well as attach fixed IP addresses to it (obtained from the provider if this is a cloud service). I'd also like to see it have a selectable mode of operation as either layer 3 or layer 4. Layer 4 mode would mean it doesn't have to literally work like ethernet, but just needs to get the IP layer traffic where it belongs with enough ethernet emulation to convince the attached OSes that it looks like ethernet. The fixed IP addresses would be addresses allocated by the operator of the whole cloud service, to the individual users. In a service like AWS they would have to be a paid resource allocation (buy an IP or subnet).

I'd want to inspire discussion about that concept. It doesn't seem to belong in a virtualization area. Networking might be the right place, but are the cloud power users reading there?

A problem I can see is when noobs like me who have a Rackspace instance running Ubuntu decide to ask an otherwise general server or Linux question just because technically I'm on a cloud server. Forum mod would have to have patience to move the never-ending stream of us to proper forum.

Originally Posted by I Use Dial A problem I can see is when noobs like me who have a Rackspace instance running Ubuntu decide to ask an otherwise general server or Linux question just because technically I'm on a cloud server. Forum mod would have to have patience to move the never-ending stream of us to proper forum.

So where would I find all the cloud environment experts?

The Network sub-forum is for questions regarding internet configuration. Since a cloud is an internet service, should cloud-related questions not be in the Network sub-forum? I fail to see why "cloud computing" needs its own section.

If the cloud experts are not looking in the section dedicated to internet use and configuration, I have no idea where they would be.

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus The Network sub-forum is for questions regarding internet configuration. Since a cloud is an internet service, should cloud-related questions not be in the Network sub-forum? I fail to see why "cloud computing" needs its own section. If the cloud experts are not looking in the section dedicated to internet use and configuration, I have no idea where they would be.

Is a cloud necessarily 'Internet' or even 'Networking?' Also, it seems like the purpose of different forums is to make it easier to find things. A possible extension of your argument would be that it's all 'Linux,' so let's do away with all forums.

Originally Posted by I Use Dial Is a cloud necessarily 'Internet' or even 'Networking?' Also, it seems like the purpose of different forums is to make it easier to find things. A possible extension of your argument would be that it's all 'Linux,' so let's do away with all forums.

I would say that cloud computing is different than other things along the plane where we have desktop vs. server ... closer to server, though. The model of how things are (or should) be done in the cloud is different. Assumptions are different, especially with things like spot instances.

Imagine if, whenever you shut down a server, you pulled the machine out of the rack and threw it in the trash. And when you need to boot a new one, you clone a disk drive in a minute, slide it in, and boot it up. And that disk drive clone gets thrown out with the machine when it shuts down.

All that virtually, of course. You do these things with the click of a button on a web page, a shell command, or a RESTful API call.

Questions related to cloud computing can cover OS issues, application issues, networking issues. The perspective can be anything from administrator to programmer. But it also adds cloud issues.

Originally Posted by I Use Dial Is a cloud necessarily 'Internet' or even 'Networking?'

How could it possibly be "internet"? Try to create and use a cloud without using the internet.

Also, it seems like the purpose of different forums is to make it easier to find things. A possible extension of your argument would be that it's all 'Linux,' so let's do away with all forums.

In other words, you do not have an argument. But I shall play along. So let us consider the opposite of your extension. Have a separate category for everything: keyboard, mouse, hard-drive, et cetera. There might be some over-lap. More categories does not necessarily make searching easier. And yes. I believe fewer categories is better. (Fewer, not none.)

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus How could it possibly be "internet"? Try to create and use a cloud without using the internet.

Just because one uses the internet to reach something does not mean that it is the internet. We'd have to lump everything together as "the internet".

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus In other words, you do not have an argument. But I shall play along. So let us consider the opposite of your extension. Have a separate category for everything: keyboard, mouse, hard-drive, et cetera. There might be some over-lap. More categories does not necessarily make searching easier. And yes. I believe fewer categories is better. (Fewer, not none.)

Yes, separate for everything ... down to a point where there is still a "critical mass" of enough people. LQ has a Hardware section. And apparently it was decided there is enough critical mass, or enough difference, that a subsection for embedded and SBC systems was created.

Does Cloud Computing have enough critical mass to support its own section? That is the issue being discussed. I really don't know whether it does or not. I think it would at least be convenient because elements of how it works (networking, operating systems, security, programs) are a little different, and relate to each other a little more tightly.