PDC2008: Is My House On The Cloud Or Is The Cloud In My House?

This year’s PDC is mostly about the cloud.

Everyone is talking about the cloud: cloud services, cloud computing, etc. but I’m not sure everyone has the same understanding of what the cloud is. Let’s say it’s a cloudy concept.

So, what is this cloud thing, anyway?

Let’s take Windows Home Server (WHS) as an example. Microsoft provides a set of services through homeserver.com that allows me to control my home server and access my other PCs in the home network. I guess I could say that homeserver.com is a cloud platform that puts my house in the cloud.

On the other hand, WHS is built on top of Windows Server 2003 which allows me to take full advantage of its web server (IIS) to expose services through homeserver.com. Services that could be for my personal use or that I could provide to others, thus putting my house on the cloud.

At a larger scale, that’s how I see the cloud and it’s usage. An indistinct universe of service providers and service consumers where some are just providers, others are just consumers and others are both (service aggregators, value added brokers, etc.)

I guess that Microsoft’s view in regards to the cloud and WHS is aligned with mine because there will be two PDC sessions about this:

• Developing Connected Home Applications and Services for Windows Home Server
  Tue 10/28 | 5:15 PM-6:30 PM | 409A
  Presenter(s): CJ Saretto, Fabian Uhse

  Learn how to build applications and services deployed on Windows Home Server that power PCs and devices throughout a connected home. See an example home automation and energy management service, and watch the creation of an on-premises service that exposes HVAC, window shades, and lighting controls to all devices on the home network. Hear how to package the service as a Windows Home Server add-in, quickly create a configuration UI, deploy a PC application for controlling the service, and demonstrate control from other devices such as TVs and cell phones.

• Exposing Connected Home Services to the Internet via Windows Home Server
  Wed 10/29 | 10:30 AM-11:45 AM | 409A
  Presenter(s): Brendan Grant, CJ Saretto

  Learn how to leverage the Remote Access platform in Windows Home Server to expose on-premises services running in the connected home to the Internet. See how to expose a home automation service running on Windows Home Server to the Internet, and watch a demonstration that shows how to expose services that may be hosted on other devices inside the connected home using Windows Home Server as a gateway. Finally, see a sneak preview of Home Server and Live Mesh working together to further enhance the remote experience for the connected home.

And, suddenly, a cloud in your future is not a bad thing, quite the opposite.