The sector recorded a real race for the virtualization of data centers and server hosting, in the wake of technological and economic advantages it can offer. The companies, however, should be conscious of the risk arising from plunging too quickly into cloud computing services, since virtual environments have many implications of compliance and safety.

Without doubt, virtualization creates an additional layer within the IT infrastructure, where often traditional security software, designed for physical environments, has a lack of visibility. This introduces vulnerabilities into the network, and visible gaps in the traffic between VMs. The new virtual machines that are installed automatically on the platform (especially in the case of an uncontrolled expansion of the VM) should be protected, regularly and systematically. The VMs are migrated from one physical platform to another – due to expansion of infrastructure or broken hardware – it also needs to be protected and monitored to avoid downtime during the live migration of VMs.

In addition to these internal threats, companies must protect their virtual environments also against external threats. Virtual environments can be even more dangerous than physical since the same techniques of attack and the same threats that exist in the physical layer exist in the virtual platform, where applications are not physically separated. This means that if a host server is under attack and the virtualization layer is compromised, this too can expose all the virtual machines to compromise on the infrastructure, all applications and data.

What are the best security practices for maintaining a secure virtual network?

The ideal solution must provide the same level of security present on the physical servers, virtual machines and applications:

First of all virtual machines too separate and protect the traffic between them, and hypervisor. The integration with it is important to ensure that the protection is running the hypervisor itself, not only on the virtual machine.

Secondly, the solution must proactively protect against external threats, with firewalls and intrusion prevention capabilities.

Third, to ensure unified management for both physical and virtual environments, making it easier for administrators to manage security.

It is important that the solution does all the above, without compromising the flexibility and scalability of the virtual system – security should help to exploit the benefits of virtualization, and not to mitigate them.

In addition, the solution must provide protection at all levels of security and not only at the network level. Of course, all levels of protection applied to the movement in the physical world, must also be implemented in the virtual environment.

Conclusion

Virtualization, as each new technology presents new risks for a company, incorrect implementation of security for a real environment may negatively impact on a company, exposing it to new risks and threats to security. For this reason, the implementation of the security architecture must be appropriate in a virtual environment, and knowledge of how to stay updated and protected against both internal and external threats, is a must for IT managers.

If we had said this a few years ago, it might not be so believable, but virtualization technology has become widespread, almost essential in many contexts.

I believe that automation of systems is essential today, more with the servers that provide cloud computing services: the number of machines in data centers continues to increase, so not just automate the creation and management of VMs, we must think of the rest.

The problems associated with virtualization in the data center

In a virtual data center, the operating speed of change has increased. Virtual machines are reconfigured, loads of computing resources are moved, and applications grow and shrink rapidly. We know that the continuous changes increase the risk of errors, analysts estimate that 60/80 percent of data center problems are caused by mismanagement.

How can we ensure the stability of data center, maximizing the advantage of the flexibility offered by virtualization?

Virtualization promises to improve the operation of data centers and no doubt it does. The server consolidation provides significant benefits. The ability to migrate without blocking loads significantly facilitates the management of the hardware. The ability to deploy new virtual machines in a very short time compared to physical machines makes it faster and more effective development and deployment of applications.

The benefits of virtualization, however, bear some costs associated with it. The hypervisor adds another layer of complexity to the stack software. Imposes requirements on the servers, the storage system and especially on the network. While the hypervisor provides a little ‘automation to simplify server hosting operations, the environment around the virtual cluster has made it easier. In a recent survey conducted among customers, 70% said that virtualization adds additional pressure on network operations.

It is easy to understand the origin of this pressure. Each initiative is surrounded by virtual physical resources:

1. Storage systems.
2. Users, workstations and networks of partners.
3. Load balancers and security devices.
4. Tools for remote administration of servers.
5. Physical servers.
6. Hypervisor competition that are not compatible.
7. Private clouds, lab systems, and other specialized clusters.

The boundary between each of these elements is the virtual environment where mistakes can happen while operating. Both boundaries can be the cause: the configuration of the hypervisor may be incorrect, or the environment outside might be set incorrectly. When there is a performance issue, the information from both sides of the border must be integrated to find a solution. When new applications are implemented, both sides must be pre-approved. Errors and inconsistencies occur in three different ways: in the form of application performance problems, delays in the operational procedures and activities that waste staff time. Each data center has its own unique path, here are some examples.

What are the main problems?

Application performance becomes poor or discontinuous

The parameters of access to ports and the network cannot match. There are many parameters that affect performance, including the port duplex mode, network QoS settings, access lists, firewalls and more.

Some “rogue devices” may be connected to the network with IP protocol settings that are incorrect or improper devices that disrupt production.
Configurations that “deviate” from the best practices, every time the manual procedures are followed incorrectly or when standards are incomplete. Consequently, new and older devices have very different settings, resulting in unpredictable performance.

Requests for changes are taking too long:

When you migrate a virtual server for upgrades or maintenance, its destination must have the correct network settings. A set-up of manual port delays, especially when compared to the almost instantaneous speed of the hot virtual migration.

When created, updated or tested with a disaster recovery site, its network settings must be verified to match up with the master site. A manual verification leads to delays.

When you add new servers to expand a system of load balancing, many devices, including the physical switch, firewall and load balancer may require meticulous rolling upgrades. The manual configuration adds delays, typically takes a much higher time to run a new virtual server.

The staff wasting time on routine tasks:

• Daily activities such as the allocation of IP addresses must be coordinated. It can be difficult to identify errors in an environment of constant change.
• The problems often involve troubleshooting logs and alerts that are correlated from multiple sources. With virtual machines, there is often a gap between the physical and virtual systems, in which data need to be matched manually.
• If an unauthorized party makes a move or a change, you will need to waste time in re-checking the work (or worse, fix the errors)
• The reporting and verification of compliance is in itself a nuisance, and virtual systems add complexity.
• In a virtual data center, the changes are more complex and occur most often because of the flexibility of virtual machines. The errors become more expensive, and can happen more frequently.

But there is a way to master the complexity and minimize errors, that does not require a complete reorganization of the infrastructure. It is sufficient to optimize the existing infrastructure with automation. If a platform configuration management can be integrated into the network of data centers, it can run automated procedures, all the problems listed above can be solved. An automated platform configurations can be equipped with a “gold standard” for all the items on the perimeter of the virtual system. Deviations from these standards are due to rogue or misconfigured devices, can be prevented, repaired or isolated. The gold configurations can be applied in a single pass, resulting in a rapid and effective response to change requests. The troubleshooting process can be accelerated when the data from physical systems is correlated with the data of the virtual systems.

Authorization rules and delegation can block unapproved changes and check those approved rules.

Automation is needed in the network around the hypervisor to realize the full benefits of virtual systems. A network platform residing in the data center management and automation can minimize errors, promote flexibility, and cut the hidden costs of virtualization.

Public clouds become revolutionary innovation in IT which is not just for small and medium-sized businesses. At the moment, most companies are experimenting with public clouds as a resource for development and testing or for production applications with low requirements for security, protection of personal data and service levels. It is believed that large companies of public clouds may be of interest only in a specific niche, given their large investments in legacy systems and the critical role of such systems for their business. Nevertheless, a number of these companies see great potential in public clouds. They feel an urgent need to make a choice between pro-active work with the public and the clouds behind the competition.

We talked with many of the companies to begin with development of public cloud services providers. Naturally, the applications that these companies would like to move to public clouds being studied to determine their cost-effectiveness in this model. We propose a generalization read reviews over the ten kinds of hidden costs in the public cloud. We have split these costs into four broad categories:

• one-time cost of migration
• limitations of the model of billing
• residual costs of management
• risk premium

Single migration costs

Its costs are associated with moving existing applications to the traditional, physical infrastructure in the public cloud, including costs to modify the application and transfer of server systems, and associated with writing off the cost of equipment depreciation.

In this category there are two types of potential costs, for which you need to watch.

Rewriting applications. In a typical company, the most used applications are not yet ready for transfer to the cloud. Certain applications that already run on virtual machines or developed in accordance with the standards of the cloud platform, are well-tolerated. But most require significant processing or rewriting code to ensure compatibility. This is especially true for legacy applications. Organizations need to assess the economic feasibility of the transfer of such applications. It may be cheaper to keep them in original form or to completely abandon them in favor of new ones.

Promoting standards of cloud platform and justification of the need to update technology invariably are difficult for application developers. This should be taken into account when considering the use of public clouds.

Write-offs for depreciation. Companies that choose to update the application or infrastructure to accelerate the transition to the use of public cloud, could face the impossibility of further depreciation of existing equipment for depreciation. This explains why many companies intend to begin the study of clouds, when the time comes to change equipment.

Limitations of the billing model

The current model of billing in relation to a public cloud computing has three features that may not correspond to the nature of your enterprise applications.

Award for flexibility. One of the most lauded features of public cloud is the payment of actual consumption, which allows companies to handle peak loads. Because prices are set properly, it could mean an additional fee for applications that are constantly in the public cloud and are subject to bouts of activity. What is important is the right choice with regard to each application. Applications that use smooth or predictable demand, would be economically efficient in the use of models for providing computing power on demand.

The fee for crossing the cloud. The fee for incoming and outgoing data – an important factor that we must always remember, especially in case of heavily used applications. Anxiety also causes an additional delay that occurs in the cloud of server hosting when requests for the transfer of large amounts of data.

Storage costs. Virtual multiplayer server architecture complexity and costly storage, causing the need for optimization through storage virtualization, storage, fast devices only frequently used data and deduplication. Most companies are just beginning to familiarize themselves with the appropriate tools.
Residual management costs

It is important to remember that you will not be able to abandon old service, which will have to continue to provide within the company, even after the transfer of applications in a public cloud.

Attention is drawn to four areas of management

Security, in particular update the OS and antivirus management. Of course, there are the usual and enhanced security measures to be taken when working with the public cloud. There are basic costs associated with software licenses, upgrades and maintenance when installing patches and antivirus software. These costs are present regardless of whether the company chooses a public or private cloud or traditional uses its own physical infrastructure.

Back up

Most public clouds do not provide backup. This is one of the many reasons why businesses often do not even consider the possibility of using public clouds. A significant part of the companies need to continue to maintain all the internal infrastructure for backup and data recovery. This is another cost item that increases the cost of public services, the clouds over the face value.

The redistribution of the load and automatic scaling. These capabilities are required to handle requests to the system, the optimal use of resources and prevent overloads. They require specialized equipment and costly new software. These costs are often passed on to corporate customers, but not to the providers of cloud services.

Services for integration. They are necessary to ensure full compatibility with the client installed and deployed in the cloud systems. Organizations that tolerate application in public clouds must be purchased for this expensive software.

Reward for risk

Use of the public cloud enterprises primarily should always be prepared for worst-case scenario. You need to prepare for the costs of transfer services at its own site in case your provider of public cloud collapses, or you just do not want more use of its services. It is important to determine the extent of the costs of such migration.

Here we should pay attention to the plan out the clouds. Requires thought-out plan migration from public clouds back to their own equipment (which is highly unlikely) or in another cloud (more realistically). Drawing up such a plan requires additional time and effort, as well as extraordinary financing. The companies that have already endured the application of a private cloud in the public or had a case to learn the standards of tolerance, migration costs will be small. But most companies do not have such experience. Therefore, for the transition to a public cloud, they should provide funds for the organization of deliberate withdrawal.

SMS server is designed to organize bilateral exchange with subscribers of GSM short text messages, dialed in English language.

SMS server is used in electronic payments made for awareness of the transaction, as well as for monitoring and control equipment. As part of call center service calls, SMS server is used to request a callback service (Call Back), and to automatically receive orders for goods, the activation of prepaid-cards, etc.

With SMS server distribution of information, taking questions, suggestions and requests from listeners of radio and television can be organized.

SMS server supports simultaneous work with 16 polytypic devices (any combination) and SMPP-connections (each connection is treated as a separate device) provides the ability to connect any number of client jobs.

SMS server software includes:

SMS Gateway server, implemented as NT service for operating systems, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP/2003/2008. SMS Gateway server provides support for multi-user configuration.

SMS Client - Win32 application that runs on all platforms supported by Microsoft MS Windows, ensures the exchange of SMS messages with SMS Gateway server. A set of COM components providing exchange protocols with supported types of GSM devices and SMS Gateway server.

Scheme of arrangement of the SMS server hosting:

SMS Gateway server provides

Reception and sending SMS messages via database servers; possibility of sending SMS messages in a batch mode from command line; SMS content analysis and ability to perform predetermined actions.

The SQL query is sent to an external database with substitution into the query the SMS message fields. Notification for connected clients on new SMS messages; Ability to get SMS delivery confirmation message; Interacting via SMPP protocol with GSM operator SMS center; The use of admission of SMS, depending on sender phone number prefix, keywords in SMS message, device, through which the message was accepted. SMS message delivery to rule-indicated users; Use of SMS sending rules is depending on the destination of phone number prefix. Sending SMS messages via rule-defined devices according to their priority and availability; Differentiation of access rights and rules to send and receive SMS.

SMS client provides

View received and sent SMS messages in accordance with specified criteria (outgoing, incoming, within the range of dates);  Delayed receive new messages; Creating and sending new SMS messages or sending SMS messages from the database to the specified phone numbers manually entered or selected from the built-in phone book; Sending SMS messages to a group of numbers.

Many outsourcing companies that are associated with the loss of control of information and critical business activities. The fact is that, if outsourcing can be well executed and in accordance with the real needs of those contracts, the benefits can be seen in a short time. In this sense, I chose 10 ingredients for outsourcing as well carrying out and results:

The outsourcing process and the choice of an outsourcing vendor is complex, then regarded as the first ingredient of the need to clearly describe your environment with volume, technical details of equipment, infrastructure and applications involved.

Decide what are the criteria that you choose to adopt the service provider who will take care of your company’s technological resources. I suggest a matrix with specific assessment items with different weights according to the importance of the item for your company. Remember to involve your key users in the evaluation. It is a good evaluation by different optics.

Treat the service level agreement (SLA) – The saying that the deal is not expensive fits perfectly in this case. Do not just say that the service will be based on SLA, you must have documented how it is measured (formulas), in which frequency, which is excluded from this measurement, when and how the penalties will be considered so. Remember: if not written, will be asked in the future.

Take efforts on developing the contract draft, I quote as examples the clauses as penalties, increased volume, motivated or unmotivated termination of the contract, among others. These issues can be extremely stressful if discussed after the declaration of the winner or, worse, after the commencement of services. It is not uncommon for some companies find that hard to hire a good service provider is to get rid of a bad one.

Prepare for the costs and downtime for the period of transition, this step is extremely important to the process of outsourcing, it is then that you validate your contingencies, the process of communication, the integration between other areas of your company, contract with the service before, but mainly the skills, competence and organization of your current server hosting provider. Even with these concerns, this can be a great opportunity for you to solve old problems in IT infrastructure.

Design a good communications plan, engage with users and managers of your business process outsourcing, describe what changes, what the risks and mitigation’s, such as accessing support teams, which services will be unavailable and the more importantly, your users will see benefits with the process.

Take the opportunity to adopt management methods and quality service date or improve currently available in your company.

Plan how to communicate with the outsourcing of IT human resources, remember that they probably perceive the movement, participate in gathering information necessary for the RFP process of selecting a provider of services. Prepare for possible internal resistance, layoffs planned and unplanned, because the release of these resources payroll should be considered in transition.

Establish an evaluation period for the process, procedures of the service provider, of tools, outsourced, etc.. I suggest a maximum of 90 days, enough time to complete the adjustment phase and enter the phase of the SLA.

Register (if possible) indicators of availability, customer satisfaction and service levels prior to outsourcing. If this information is not available, compare the current costs, that you had prior to outsourcing. This is the best way to see the benefits of reducing HR costs, risks, labor, office space, physical assets, and, of course, the intangible benefits such as reducing dependence on people and increase competitive advantage against its competitors.

There are companies that invest heavily in shopping and little delivery. So sell wonderfully well, but the delivery falls short.

Ask the successful cases in the similar services you need, validates these cases, get references from the supplier on the Internet, contact these references, including in person if possible.

Many companies allow the early provision of services only with the technical and commercial proposal signed and then discover that there is a standard contract notarized, which is valid in these cases.

Keep an eye out!

Until a few years ago, the Linux and Windows server hosting services were radically different. Today’s systems platform compatibility of the companies hosting these differences will reduce dramatically.

The way to access the server is one of the main differences between the two types of services. Both allow access via FTP, a protocol for transferring files, but only offers Linux hosting access, a system that allows for remote access to a server. Both allow you to exchange files with the second offers advanced controls and access to critical areas of the server.

The standard of Linux-based systems are designed and developed according to the needs of programmers and technicians. These are applications that can later provide functionality to the end customer, developing and improving systems based on Linux. On the other hand, Windows systems are already designed taking the customer into consideration.

Another major difference between the platforms are supported programming languages. PHP, Perl and CGI are associated with Linux Hosting as ASP,. NET or ColdFusion are supported by the Windows platform. The same goes for the databases to Linux being “preferred” using MySQL privileges as the Windows Hosting MS Access or SQL Server. All these factors influence the development of applications or websites for each of the platforms.

On security issues, it is widespread that the Windows platform has more holes than its rival Linux. Although the concept is not totally false, because it is free and open to the large community of programmers, can correct and update any security flaws more quickly. For Windows, only these gaps are bridged with the publication of “patches to” or “service packs” which does not occur so quickly. In any case both rentals can be operated and maintained safely if carried out by qualified personnel.

Ultimately the key is to passing the the content and information to the website. It is the customer and / or programmer who decide which platform best serves their interests while taking the features and services into account that customers request.

It is very common nurtured false belief that “to summon a website, simply install Joomla! and ready ” .

While Joomla has been engineered to provide facilities to a wide range of users, including those with little or no programming knowledge level websites, this does not mean at all that maintain safety on our sites is governed by the same advantage .

Then, if it may be true that “to summon a web” with Joomla! enough to know you’ve actually set it up and “put together a website,” but one thing is the ease of use, flexibility and extensibility that provides Joomla! and quite another to maintain the security of our sites within acceptable levels.

Suggestions

Review each question that are presented below:

• What version of Joomla are you using?
• What third-party extensions you have installed?
• What version of Apache / MySQL / PHP are you using?
• What type of server hosting you have hired?
• What security measures are currently implemented?
• What version of Joomla are you using?

An acceptable level of security is to use the latest stable versions of each of the applications that make up our website and the Joomla is no exception.

While Joomla CMS is a pretty sure of itself, which takes care to avoid unwanted intrusions through your code, or that when it detects a vulnerability to high or low, is quick to repair it as soon as possible.

What third-party extensions you have installed?

If Joomla is responsible for ensuring your code to avoid unwanted intrusions by the same both for what is the core of the application to the extensions that come natively with the installation of CMS. There are lots of extensions programmed by third parties (the CMS installed later) that are not under the control of quality or safety of the Joomla!, but of the respective authors of each of those extensions.

While the purpose of upgrading to the latest stable versions of the extensions we are working with, we face the same criteria applied in the previous paragraph and for the same reason, it should be emphasized that, contrary to what might happen with CMS currently extensions under a security aspect, may have been poorly programmed by their respective authors, or lack of support or updates in this regard.

It is difficult for the eye of someone who is not skilled programmers to distinguish between the variety of tastes and colors with which we get the extensions (seen from a look of “secure programming”).

When an extension programmed by third places on record, in a manner similar to that used by the authors of Joomla, They are implementing security policies designed to thwart intrusion attempts known by its code, or , updated as soon as possible if new security flaws detected, we would, again, in conditions or acceptable level of safety.

In the opposite case, we would be with that third-party extension in particular, unfavorable security conditions, and therefore in a very low level of security is acceptable.

While it provided “vulnerable extensions list” does not mean that “the other extensions that do not appear in that list are safe, viewed from the code and about the chances of malicious intrusions known through it.”

Take these lists as a means commonly used to stay informed and continue to report, among all, on extensions that allow malicious intrusions through your code and get more and more complete lists (perhaps an extension that appears on this list only vulnerable to an earlier point in their development and later to the version mentioned in that list, solved the security problem on their part).

The extensions use only reputable and stable, supporting and updating the security issue, you will greatly limit the extensibility of your project, but will keep within an acceptable level of safety.

There are six things that underpin any hosting provider: Server, Control Panel, Domains, Accounts, Support, Legal Organization. Now I will tell you the main options.

Four options:

Reselling - Cheap, no need to deal with configuring the server. But you are dependent on the upstream host more than in other cases. Everywhere, except cPanel cannot create sub-resellers (I do not envy these clients).

VDS or Virtual Dedicated Server - You need to deal with configuring the server, full freedom to choose how and what to do. If something will break, will have to correct ourselves. In addition, there is little dependence on the owner of VDS-node.

Dedicated Server Rental - Same advantages as for the VDS, but if something goes wrong, you cannot reload or quickly rearrange. Sometimes, however, provide a reboot-panel. The cost depends heavily on the country.

Dedicated Server Colocation – Virtually the same as the previous one, but cheaper fee per month, you can quickly pick up and put in another place.

Just need to make a selection panel.

cPanel - The Monster, there are many functions that have cast a lot and sometimes make little sense. Expensive, requires 512 MB of RAM for VDS. If the client finds it a more or less convenient, it requires the administrator and reseller every time to search function. Not bad for working over SSH.

DirectAdmin - Looks good, functions conveniently and logically structured. Do not have all the functions supported by cpanel and slightly fewer billing panel.

The panel is better to take from one who has place a server, because the internal licensed much cheaper.

Domains

Sooner or later the client wants to register you with the hosting domain. There are many registrars who offer reseller program. Now the situation has changed, so I cannot say anything.

Billing

There are several systems, but my favorite is:

WHMCS - Great stuff, but expensive. If you do not think about high price – you can take.

Support

• E-mail – simple, cheap, uncomfortable.
• Ticket – Support that will process incoming messages and convert them into tickets, which may respond to any employee. There are free and paid, as some write a review. Some have built-in billing.
• Live-chat – employee sits in a web application or program for computer. When a customer clicks on the site, he may consult with the employee. On serious issues still usually sent by e-mail.

Form of business

Legal entity with a license – Expensive and painful way. The server should only be Dedicated and only in India. You also need to draw up a communication center. Taken together, takes about six months and 100 thousand in the firm.

Under the contract – may conclude a partnership agreement with larger firm. They have a license, and you sell their hosting. So I was not interested, frankly, so cannot say anything.

Here, it seems, is all.