World cloud computing leaders convene at IU-hosted conference
The hot technology buzzword, "cloud," describes Internet-accessible infrastructure -- such as data storage and computing hardware -- that is hidden from users. Top cloud computing researchers and industry leaders from around the globe gathered in Indianapolis recently to discuss the latest research and the future of this powerful emerging discipline.
The IEEE 2nd International Conference on Cloud Computing Technology and Science (CloudCom 2010) ran from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at University Place Conference Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). This year's hosts were the Pervasive Technology Institute at Indiana University and the IU School of Informatics and Computing.
Cloud computing makes data mobile, giving users access to a chosen cloud from any Internet-enabled device without requiring detailed understanding of the underlying computational technology. Clouds hold promise for academic and scientific research, as well as for business and industry, providing a cost-effective, shared mechanism for delivering greater computational power.
In addition to seven tutorials and four workshops, CloudCom 2010 featured the following keynotes from world leaders in cloud computing:
- Ian T. Foster, director of cyberinfrastructure and distinguished fellow, Argonne National Laboratory: "What cloud computing really means for science."
- Dennis Gannon, director of applications for cloud computing at Microsoft Research: "The client cloud: Changing the paradigm for scientific research."
- Kai Hwang, IEEE fellow and director of the Internet and Grid Computing Lab at University of Southern California: "Security, privacy, and data protection for trusted cloud computing."
A special CloudCom 2010 dinner seminar for Indiana business and industry leaders was also held Dec. 2 at the IUPUI Campus Center. The seminar featured speakers from Indiana University, Microsoft Research, and Yahoo and was designed to inform both small business owners and major industry professionals on the contributions cloud computing can make to their companies.
Internationally recognized cloud computing expert Geoffrey Fox, director of the Digital Science Center at IU's Pervasive Technology Institute and professor at the IU Bloomington School of Informatics and Computing, served as general chair for CloudCom 2010. Fox said, "The time for cloud computing has arrived -- and the success of this conference is evidence of that. In just one year's time, we have nearly tripled in size from the inaugural CloudCom conference."
Said Pervasive Technology Institute Executive Director Craig Stewart, who also serves as associate dean and associate vice president for Research Technologies, "Through involvement in large-scale efforts such as the National Science Foundation's TeraGrid, and leadership of the Future Grid project to define the next generation of high performance computing, Indiana University has emerged as a global leader in the field of cloud computing research. We're pleased that IU was selected to host IEEE CloudCom 2010, one of the most prestigious events in the field of cloud computing, bringing the world's best and brightest computational scientists to Indianapolis and Indiana University."
CloudCom 2010 program co-chair Judy Qiu added, "CloudCom had an exceptionally rich technical program, including a continuous tutorial track covering cloud infrastructure and programming. There were excellent hands-on learning opportunities for anyone wanting to know more about cloud computing."
This news release originally appeared Nov. 30, 2010.
