Cloud or not?

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So the big question on going to Cloud.


What is Cloud? 
It's pretty simple, your data is stored in a server some where else.  It will be accessible from any where in the world and you only need an internet connection to gain access.

What will it rely on?
Broadband connection.  Like it or not if you have a large amount of data, attempting to download that on a simple 3G connection will not only take a while but use up your monthly allowance if you have one.


Costs?
That is the main Pro isn't it, generally Microsoft/Google offer these services for Free but they will charge for more.  The moment you need that extra storage is the moment you have no choice but to clean it or some one will have to pay for it.  As a School I personally see a war brewing over this.  Who will pay for it?  The Student? The Parent?  The School?


Do I believe in it?
Simply yes, but I am a thorough person.  We currently have a 100MB connection and we will be talking about downloading/uploading large files for Media, Film and Art studies.  We also have ICT Students who do a lot of screenshots which means everyone will have to be more aware of picture formats and sizes.


What other options, SAN?
This is expensive, if a virtual server cost around £10,000 you can bet that the cost of a SAN will cost more.  This is a great option though and if willing to spend quite a bit you can provide not only enough storage to all users but they can potentially future proof your self for a long time.
Problem is though this is very expensive.


If I had the money I wanted I personally would setup two SANs to effectively be a cluster storage, meaning if one goes down the other kicks in but this would have to be setup correctly.  After all not only will 1600+ user data be stored or 1000+ current connections but it will be synchronising all that data live within minutes.  Unless you allowed the replication to go over night.  Meaning no matter what you can lose one night of data?  Perhaps replicate during lesson changes? lunch times?
Questions are many, answers are few..


Realistically - Cloud vs SAN


I would be tempted to perhaps allow a single Year to be Cloud based to see how they develop.  Perhaps start it off with Year 7s and see how their School life progresses.  This would be a huge change and once done, it wouldn't be a quick easy fix to go local again especially if you do not have the capacity.  This would be putting all your eggs in a single basket.


What is your broadband up time? Up to it?
Ours in the last 3 Years has gone down around 10-15 times, usually for short 5 minute periods but a few times it had gone down for some time.  This is quite a lot of effective Teaching and Learning time where Students will not be able to access all their work - my main concern.


As mentioned we are sitting on 100MB and a new provider could very well give us 200MB for cheaper costs which we are the process of reviewing/discussing.  I have asked the crazy question, what would it cost to stick us on 1GB and would the work required be huge.


Simple answer:
  • At the moment yes it's possible on the new Broadband.
  • Cost will be roughly triple what we would pay for 200MB.
  • No major work required.
  • If/When we consider Cloud the costs for 1GB could very well come down 25-35%.
We are currently hitting 75% of our 100MB connection and this is not long after upping it from 50MB.  There is a heavy reliance on the Internet for Teachers and Students.


Other considerations:
  • Backups - We currently have nightly and 3x a day Previous Versions for Users
  • Restorations for Users happen often
  • Permission - Staff can view Student drives
  • No real limits, some Students have 5+GB of data, Few Staff have potentially above 20+GB.
  • Film Studies have potentially 100-300+GB per User
  • School Visits, Discussions and real testing
So I don't want to be hasty, I want to be careful but the option is there.


Don't agree? Suffer the same? don't be afraid to comment!

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