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The new architecture
February 05, 2006
If you have an interest in how computing will be done in the future, and if you have a decent chunk of spare time, you may want to watch this video of a recent Paul Strassmann speech at George Mason University. Strassmann examines Google's computing architecture in considerable detail, arguing that it provides a model for the network-centric computing of the future. Up to now, Strassmann says, we've had "millions of islands of automation," or IT "cottage shops," that are inherently inefficient, unreliable, inflexible and insecure. Google's architecture is a "harbinger of a new era" of universal, shared computing.
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Comments
For the interested, here's another video. This one features Google's Urs Hoelzle talking about Google's computer arcitecture.
Posted by: Rutger at February 5, 2006 06:18 PM
Strassmann’s presentations are always interesting and this one is no exception. I do have some quibbles, however.
He’s wrong to dismiss the Google search application as mere “juice.” The architecture is a consequence of the application. Google didn’t set out to build a net-centric architecture. They were pushed in this direction by the need to support the application.
Given Strassmann’s background in defence systems his enthusiasm for Google’s reliability, rapid response times etc. is understandable. The majority of businesses however simply don’t require this level of service. With a few exceptions most business data simply isn’t real time.
He’s quite right in saying that you can’t design a plane using the techniques for building a train. For the vast majority of companies a train is more than enough for their business needs. Indeed, many already have more technology than they can intelligently manage or use.
Posted by: Greg at February 7, 2006 05:21 AM
here is another technical one: "Google: A Behind the Scenes Look" with Jeff Dean
Posted by: The Ugly One With The Jewels at February 7, 2006 05:47 AM
So how do you square this idea about Google's computing architecture with the post on The net's killer app?
Posted by: Tom at February 7, 2006 08:11 PM
A very interesting part of the lecture is where Strassman talks about the data-center-cluster-in-a-container, a new hardware architecture Google uses to quickly expand and deploy data centers. In "ENIAC 2.0: Google's Data Center In a Box", I argue that this may be an excellent starting point for a new round of miniaturization, leading to the "personal data center". In my opinion, that commoditization of data centers will lead to an even more widespread adoption of corporate Utility Computing, and will radically transform how we think about computers and their uses.
Posted by: Filip Verhaeghe at February 10, 2006 07:09 AM
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