https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Cloud


Ubuntu’s Cloud-Init Promotes Customization in the Cloud

  • Written by Christopher Tozzi
  • January 5, 2011

It’s one thing to talk in vague terms about “the cloud,” and another to write software that actually works with it. Thanks to Ubuntu’s cloud-init package, coding for the cloud can be simple, practical and even straightforward. Here’s a look at the technology in action, and where it fits into the larger cloud-computing ecosystem.

Like many things cloud-related, cloud-init — which the Ubuntu wiki describes as a package “that handles early initialization of a cloud instance” — can be difficult to define in precise terms. Put simply, though, the software is a tool for automatically performing different tasks when a cloud image is booted for the first time. It supports Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud images, as well as Ubuntu images available on Amazon’s EC2.

Cloud-Init in Action

We last visited cloud-init during the build-up to the release of Ubuntu 10.10, which introduced several key new features to the software. What caught my eye recently was not the announcement of new features, but several practical examples by Canonical contributor Ahmed Kamal of how the package can be useful for building and deploying a cloud environment.

The first, a screencast produced by Kamal demonstrating the basics of cloud-init and what it can do, is a bit generic, but it nonetheless provides an excellent overview of the technology. Here’s a look:

More interesting, perhaps, is a blog post in which Kamal explains how to use cloud-init in conjunction with the KVM virtualization hypervisor to deploy cloud images locally. In his example, he uses cloud-init to launch a simple Web server running inside a locally hosted cloud image.

Running a Web server inside a cloud image isn’t very stunning in itself. What is remarkable, however, is the ease with which KVM and cloud-init cooperate while running together on a local machine. With only a handful of bash commands, Kamal is able to take a generic image of Ubuntu server edition and, using cloud-init and KVM, turn it into a Web server available to the host machine. That certainly beats building a virtual server manually.

In addition, this example shows how KVM can be combined with cloud technology for testing or customizing cloud deployments. It has particularly interesting implications for organizations wishing to test cloud deployments before putting them into the wild in a place like EC2, or for those with limited computing resources who want to build their own cloud environments.

In another post, Kamal demonstrates how to make cloud-init run custom user-written scripts when a cloud image is initialized. This is really the most remarkable aspect of the technology, since, as Kamal points out, the “possibilities are endless” when custom scripts are combined with cloud-init.

The Bigger Picture

cloud-init is cool, especially if you’re a seasoned Unix programmer. For those of us without amazing coding skills however, the technology still matters, particularly with regards to the development of the cloud ecosystem and the establishment of its dominant players.

Above all, cloud-init represents a major part of Canonical’s bid to hold market share within the cloud niche. By appealing to users who value customization and automation of cloud deployments, the company hopes to be able to hold its own against other important competitors in the cloud arena, like Red Hat.

And Canonical’s emphasis on customization is an important point. So far, much of the hype surrounding the cloud has centered on the efficiency, ease of deployment and accessibility of cloud-based machines, with relatively little attention afforded to the extent to which users can customize software running in the cloud. cloud-init’s chief selling point, meanwhile, is the customizability it guarantees for Ubuntu-based cloud images.

In this sense, Canonical’s strategy for the cloud seems to stand out in unique ways. Whether it will pay off remains to be seen, but this is a topic to watch closely as the cloud develops.

Follow Talkin’ Cloud via RSS, Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for Talkin’ Cloud’s Weekly Newsletter, Webcasts and Resource Center. Read our editorial disclosures here.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Cloud Videos

Related


  • Spinoff Company
    IBM Names CEO of New Managed Services Spinoff
    The former IBM CFO is well-known to those within NewCo.
  • Select a Hire
    Commvault Partners Get New Global Leader with Dell EMC Vet
    Mercer Rowe is moving to a new role strengthening Commvault's Asia Pacific business.
  • office 365
    How to Improve First Call Resolution with Microsoft Office 365 Service Tickets
    Here are some tools and strategies for improving the rate of FCR with Office 365 service tickets.
  • View of globe from space
    Presidio Plans International Expansion with Arkphire Acquisition
    Arkphire rapidly expanded after acquiring Trilogy Technologies.

One comment

  1. Avatar Joe Panettieri January 7, 2011 @ 4:35 am
    Reply

    John: Great to see you on TalkinCloud. Sorry we haven’t been in touch and thanks for sharing your two-cents regarding cloud-init. We’ve valued the editorial relationship with Canonical over the years across our multiple sites and look forward to continuing the dialog here on TalkinCloud.com.
    -jp

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Cybersecurity Top Priority Among IT Leaders, AI/Automation Not So Much
  • Today's Dynamic Networks Need a Converged Approach
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the World — What’s Next for Cloud?
  • MSP 501 Profile: DCG Technical Solutions on the Managed Services Pivot

Galleries

View all

New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon

January 11, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Help Your Customers Mitigate Malware: Viruses, Worms, and Trojans…Oh My!

January 15, 2021

SMBs’ Cybersecurity Risk Awareness Is Rising

January 13, 2021

Your Cloud Data Is Protected, But Is It Portable?

January 12, 2021

Webinars

View all

Blueprint for a Scalable MSSP Practice in 2021

January 21, 2021

Who’s Behind the Mask? Hacker Personas Explained

January 26, 2021

How Managed Hosting Providers Thrive with the Alternative Cloud

February 24, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency

January 14, 2021

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools

January 14, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@IBMServices snaps up #MSP Taos for #hybridcloud expertise. dlvr.it/RqggQR https://t.co/Fy3uPDtLNw

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@LenovoBusiness launches its thinnest #ThinkPad to date @CES, revamped ThinkBooks and #ThinkReality glasses.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

Help your customers mitigate #malware @Tech_Data #cryptolocker #antivirus #ransomware #cybersecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Advantages of the Subscription business model for MSPs and IT Resellers @kaspersky dlvr.it/RqgDJn https://t.co/ay694fudp3

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Cloud #distributor @Pax8 launches in UK with leadership team in place. dlvr.it/RqfJWx https://t.co/RsKDCowM5V

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

bit.ly/3oO2vFY twitter.com/Craig_Galbrait…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency @zomentum dlvr.it/Rqc63q https://t.co/rHIVLkR01K

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools dlvr.it/Rqc62k https://t.co/MQDcIYc7G9

January 15, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X