Reference no: EM133362118

You will take on the role of staff in a very small start-up company that is seeking to launch a new web-based service. Of course, to provide this service, you will need infrastructure to host/run your software. Your company has no significant technological infrastructure other than the desktop/laptop computers of the staff, and two small servers that are used to share files. Your task is to investigate and compare several options for hosting the service. The technological requirements for the service are fairly simple. The software is a Python program, which acts as a web server and provides the service to clients using their web browsers. Linux is suitable as an operating system (although any OS that runs Python is acceptable). The software stores data directly as files on a drive (i.e., there is no requirement for database servers, etc.) CPU requirements are minimal. The maximum amount of data that will be stored at any given time is 3GB. For the foreseeable future, you expect a maximum of 100 user sessions a day, with each user session requiring about 20 MB of data transfer over the internet. If you require other information that is not provided, make (and state!) reasonable assumptions. While the workload on the server will not be demanding, it is critical that your service have the highest degree of availability (reasonably) possible. Investigate the following options, and create a report presenting your findings: Option 1: Comment briefly on the option of operating servers yourself, located in your own facility. Does this seem like a reasonable option? Justify your answer. (Two paragraphs maximum.) Option 2: Select a server (sold by a reputable vendor) that would be appropriate here. Find a colocation facility in or near the Toronto area in which you can house and operate the server. In your report, include: • Details of the server, including specifications and pricing. • A justification that the server meets the requirements. • Details of the colocation facility, including approximate pricing. (If you can't obtain pricing information, choose a different provider.) • A justification that the colocation facility meets the requirements. • Identify other resources that will be required. Give reasonable estimates for the costs of each. • Provide an estimate of both the initial cost, and the annual operating cost of this option. • Comment on this option: What are the pros and cons? Option 3: Find a reputable IaaS vendor that will provide a 'virtual' server that you can use to run your application. (This might be called a VPS, a 'Cloud Server', etc.) Choose a package that is appropriate for your requirements. In your report, include: • Details of the service provided and the package selected, including specifications and pricing. • A justification that the server meets the requirements. • Identify other resources that will be required. Give reasonable estimates for the costs of each. • Provide an estimate of both the initial cost, and the annual operating cost of this option. • Comment on this option: What are the pros and cons? Option 4: Find a reputable PaaS vendor that provides a platform that will run your software. Choose a package that is appropriate for your requirements. In your report, include: • Details of the service provided and the package selected, including specifications and pricing. • A justification that the package meets the requirements. • Identify other resources that will be required. Give reasonable estimates for the costs of each. • Provide an estimate of both the initial cost, and the annual operating cost of this option. • Comment on this option: What are the pros and cons? Evaluation: Of the options you detailed, which one is the best choice in this situation? Justify your answer.