Sky Computing: Opportunities and Challenges

In this chapter, we explore the potential evolution of the cloud computing ecosystem, emphasizing the similarities and difference to the developmental trajectories of telephony, the Internet, and PCs. So far the cloud computing market has been dominated by proprietary interfaces from its early entrants, like Amazon Web Services, Windows Azure, and Google Compute Engine. However, in recent years has been an increasing drive from organizations towards enhanced compatibility so they can manage their workloads across various clouds. Unfortunately, unlike the emergence of universal technology standards in previous tech domains, we argue that a comprehensive compatibility standard for the cloud is neither imminent nor necessary for facilitating workload mobility across clouds and could potentially hinder innovation. Instead, we advocate for the adoption of “intercloud brokers”–systems that optimize workload placement based on various customer criteria, such as price and performance, thereby eliminating the need for customers to navigate through cloud selection. This approach, which we term “Sky Computing,” is anticipated to lower entry barriers to cloud usage, spur technical innovation through specialized clouds, facilitate comprehensive integration of computational options, and enhance compliance, security, and resilience via cross-cloud deployments. We hope the opportunities and challenges we describe in this chapter will help trigger a broader collaboration effort between researchers and practitioners to develop Sky Computing, steering the future of cloud computing towards this vision.