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Cloud Computing

In Cloud Computing, customers use the Web to access files and applications that are hosted on remote servers. Cloud Computing has many advantages, such as access from virtually anywhere, and freedom from worries about updates and maintenance. However, it presents some challenges to providers of Cloud Computing services.

• Service providers have to make sure that the applications and files on their servers are always available.
• Customers need to have faith that their files and personal information are both secure and available, since they do not have copies locally after shifting to the Cloud.
• Network efficiency and reliability must be maintained at a high level.

The Mirror File System and software products based upon it:

• Enable Cloud Computing Service Providers to make applications and data Always Available on their servers.
• Enable users to continue to run local applications on local files while exploring the benefits of Cloud Computing.
• Enable users to keep copies of their important files on their own computer in addition to the copies hosted in the Cloud, so that if access to the Cloud is disrupted or disabled, local copies remain available on the user's laptop or desktop.

More detailed analyses are in MFS for Cloud Computing paper.