Moving to the cloud: cloud strategies and roadmaps

Moving to the Cloud:
Cloud Strategies and Roadmaps
Josh Fry
Enterprise Director
07/12/2018 Moving to the Cloud - Cloud Strategies and Roadmaps

Demystifying
Cloud
• A quick look
at Cloud
options and
terminology
How to move
to the cloud: a
road map for
migration
• A step by step
guide on how
to move to
the Cloud
Jisc Cloud
Services
• How Jisc can
help you
move to the
Cloud
Overview

Demystifying cloud
well… how do
I get there ?
Many in HE, FE and Research would like to leverage the
advantages of Cloud, but the path to get there is obscured by
the complexities around cost; technical capability; legal;
governance; service assurance and security.
In varying degrees these obstacles are proving a barrier to
adoption.
Jisc Cloud Services can help remove these obstacles, and bring
clarity to your strategic cloud initiatives.
Benefits of Cloud
Scalability, reliability, security, spin
up/teardown, fits with agile processes ,
continuous integration, automatic
monitoring and alerting etc. etc.
Supporting flexibility and versatility of
service delivery.

Demystifying Cloud
Transform
Integrate
Rearchitect
Migrate
Cloud: Approaches
Rehost
Refactor
Rearchitect
Rebuild
Replace
Typical objectives
often the
first steps

Demystifying Cloud
Typical Cloud activities include:
› Migrate ( Rehost & Refactor)
‘Lift and shift’ on premises
computing to an IaaS public or
private hosted cloud.
IaaS

Demystifying Cloud
› Rearchitect / Rebuild
Deconstruct applications
and redeploy across PaaS / IaaS platforms.
PaaS

Demystifying Cloud
› Integrate / Replace
Integrate enterprise software
with a SaaS provider or leverage
pure SaaS environments to
replace legacy applications for
flexibility and service assurance.
SaaS
› Transform
leverage: serverless computing,AI,
machine learning, big data, hyper-
convergence, analytics, native
enterprise SaaS cloud or other
nuanced or business
transformational approaches.

Demystifying Cloud
SaaS
PaaS
IaaS
Hybrid
It is likely that members will have
a mixed approach based on
strategic prioritisation.

A road map for migration
»A step by step guide on how to move to
the Cloud

Steps to the Cloud: Step 1
Step 1. Strategy
Have a Strategy – why are you doing it ? don’t do it for the sake of technology / cloud.
Don’t get caught in the hype.
Understand that ‘Cloud’ encompasses lots of different technologies and solutions to different problems.
Look at the drivers to your Strategy such as: student outcomes; competitive advantage; digital strategy, estates
strategy; student experience; cost management; teaching and learning; infrastructure and application refresh and
replacement etc etc.

Step 2:
Understand
your
environment
Document the applications, services and infrastructure that you think may be affected.
Identify key stakeholders. Who will be affected by the move to cloud ? whom within the organisation do you need support from ? how
closely do you need to involve the stakeholders and at what point ?
Form a picture of an overall target mode/architecture. For example apply principles of Enterprise Architecture.
Do a GAP analysis / capability assessment / SWOT.
How much can you do with existing skills and resource.
Understand your operating costs. Engage in a financial assessment such as the Jisc Financial X-Ray . Use this as an input to understand the
cost changes, or how they will be offset when moving to the Cloud.
Speak with suppliers to get perspectives on technical feasibility; resource that can be utilised; support contracts; legal issues; new suppliers;
procurement considerations.
Look at what alternative technical solutions are available; can they help you achieve your objectives.
Is this an opportunity for staff to upskill and take ownership of a project. Could this help to deal with feelings of disenfranchisement of
moving service to cloud and impact on roles]?
Get professional advice ! e.g. Call in the Jisc Cloud team – we can advise you on approaches being taken across the sector; we can help
prioritise and plan; we can help to bring in third party resource, and identify partners to deliver the full solution.

Step 3:
Componentise
the problem.
Break it into
manageable
chunks.
Rank by priority: Break your environment down into blocks, and rank them on strategic priority (for migration).
Rank by readiness: Take the same blocks and rank them according to how easy they could be moved e.g. are they already
virtualised ? can they be lifted and shifted ? would they benefit from being re-architected or refactored ? are there integrations that
would impact multiple services ? are there integrations that would work over hybrid models if moving parts of a service ?
Compare the rankings: See if there are synergies between services that have a high priority strategically to be moved; and are
relatively straight forward. In practice you may have to make a judgment call as to whether to focus on strategically important OR
easy to move.
Estimate resourcing: Try to make an assessment as to the level of resource needed for each activity, or if it will require input and
support from the system supplier. Apply this against the rankings to see if it impacts on priority or candidacy for moving first.
Estimate Cost: Firm up the level of cost/budget required for migrating each block to the cloud. Consider costs for: external
resource; licensing changes; legal costs for reviewing contracts (frameworks such as the GEANT IaaS framework available
through Jisc can provide a short cut). The costs for running the service on a cloud platform and any other relevant costs impacts.
Estimate technical impact: Network bandwidth egress and ingress over internet links; whether there is capacity and redundancy.
Could you develop a hybrid model for some services and utilise the Jisc Shared Data Centres.
Define an approach: Depending on time frame and ability to commit resource it may be possible to undertake multiple streams in
parallel; or do in series. Whether a big bang is desired/achievable/technically possible; or a phased moved, with checkpoints. Is it a
programme ? is it a project ? Is it an organisational transformation exercise ?
Get Executive buy in and support from leadership teams and key stakeholders. !

Step 4. Have a plan
You know why you want
to move services to the
cloud.
You know which services
you want to move first,
and when you want to
move them.
You have an idea of
resourcing: what you
can do, and what will
require partners and
external resource.
You know how much it
will cost and have
obtained Executive
support and funding to
proceed.
As with any project it is
absolutely critical to
apply Project
Management and wrap
it in Governance in the
form of a project board
or some other key
stakeholder group.
Equally it needs to have
sponsorship at a very
senior level in the
organisation. This is to
anticipate when extra
support is required to
overcome bottlenecks
or competing priorities.
It may seem
overwhelming but the
key to any project is to
break it down into
manageable chunks.
It may be preferable to
view the works as series
of projects within a
multi-year programme.
This has the added
benefit of being able to
celebrate successes as
services are move; plus
providing breakpoints
and pauses to assess
the programme and
whether modifications
to strategy or approach
need to be made.

Step 5.
Implement Plan
Milestones and deliverables
Manage costs
Roll back points/checkpoints
Monitor resource
Have an exit strategy
Monitor landscape for
new/better/disruptive
technology or approaches that
may have an impact on
approach
Etc etc. !

Example programme: phase 1
» High level example using a typical HE environment as a model.
Phase 1: General productivity tools: Email, File,Office, etc.
Migrate email and
productivity tools to a
SAS provider such as
office 365 or Google
Apps for education. If
using an Exchange
environment consider
running a Hybrid
exchange
environment to
migrate mailboxes
over time.
Migrate general file
shares and file
archives to a cloud
storage platform such
as OneDrive, Box,
Drop Box etc. Jisc
Tiered Storage
(available soon)
Consider rather than
replicating the same
legacy file shares and
taxonomies to the
cloud , whether to
adopt new
approaches to
working such as using
Teams or SharePoint.
Or cloud collaboration
tools
Integrate AD into
Azure AD ensure that
schemas and objects
are consistent
between
environments.
Integrate access and
identity management,
directory and
authentication
services with cloud
counterparts e.g.
ADFS <-> AD, IDM
etc.
Evaluate whether
current printing
solution will support
management of
printing documents
produced from a SAS
environment e.g.
from within the
browsers.
Could virtual
desktops provided by
a Cloud provider
such as VMware or
Citrix help to shrink
the desktop footprint.

» Phase 2: Data Backups and Archiving
Sometimes this is the
most obvious candidate
to start to leverage the
advantages of the
Cloud
Many backup solutions
permit the use of Cloud
storage location as a
backup targets either as
raw data or images of
virtual environments
Data backed up to the
Cloud can be tiered so that
more recent backups are
held in storage buckets or
containers that are readily
accessible; long term
storage can utilise service
such as Amazon glacier.
Moving data to the cloud
requires planning for the
initial seeding of the data
e.g. plan to replicate data
over a weekend, or a
number of days; or take
advantage of Amazon
snowball or some other
physical data migration
(depending on volumes of
data).
Subsequent replication
should be manageable.

» Phase 3: infrastructure, application data storage, virtualised hosts, web applications - hosted enterprise applications
This is where heavy lifting occurs.
It is often the first stumbling block
as organisations try to change
paradigms so drastically that they
are not sure where to start.
cont. …

Example programme: phase 3 cont…
Where speed of migration and a need to
apply existing skills and knowledge is the
priority; then the emphasis should be on
lift and shift (rehost).
e.g. build IaaS instances running a
dedicated OS and application. Effectively
replicate the model on premises in the
cloud
Where applications are already structured
into service tiers such as N Tier web
applications; consider re-architecting to
PaaS platforms.
For example PHP/Java/Node.js web
services and MariaDB/SQL Server
backends.
Move standalone services first.
Then those that require interoperability or
various component architectures later.
The benefit of the cloud is that it is
extremely easy to build parallel production
environments that emulate live production
environments.
Supporting switch over or integration as
required.
When the technical support teams’
knowledge increases, then look to re-
architect /refactor services using concepts
such as: containerisation and continuous
integration.
BUT ONLY IF IT IS RIGHT FOR THE
SERVICE/APPLCATION
Continued …. Phase 3: infrastructure, application data storage, virtualised hosts, web applications - hosted enterprise applications

Phase 4 : Enterprise Applications, such as Student Records, Library Management, HR, Payroll,CRM, Business Intelligence etc
subject to licensing existing enterprise applications could be rehosted/refactored and redeployed ‘as is’ to relevant
IaaS platforms.
However, before taking this step consider having a discussion with the supplier of the application/service to
understand if they have a cloud native SaaS service and if this could be a preferred approach.
Nearly ALL enterprise software providers are moving to the cloud and providing SaaS versions of their on prem
applications.They are keen to move their customers to their cloud platforms, and it can be advantageous to leverage
this appetite to try and gain assistance and concessions for moving to their SaaS environments.
Taking this approach does require considerable planning due to the critical nature of the services. Each enterprise
service migration should be approached as a project in its own right and managed as a series of phases with roll back
points.
It is incredibly important to map out all integrations, bespoke code and changes that have been made to these
systems.Then factor if, when and how they should be incorporated into the new architecture.

Steps to the Cloud
Strategy
• Drivers
• Objectives
• Pragmatism
• Vision
Discovery
• GAP/SWOT
• Stakeholders
• Resource
• OperatingCosts
• Technologies
Approach
• Architecture
• Rank
readiness/priority
/resource
• cost
• impact
• approach
Plan
• Design
• Governance
• Programme
• Project
• Deliverables
• Timescales
Implement
• Migration
• integration
• Test
• Execution
• Review

Start Small
»Adopt a cloud service from an outcome perspective
»Tackle one service at a time
»Measure what worked and what didn’t
»Cost reduction?
»Draw best practices for future deployments

Jisc Cloud Services
Advice,
Consultancy
and
Professional
Services
Partners
and
Platforms
Connectivity
and
Frameworks
Hyperscale
and Public
Cloud

Jisc Cloud Services
Advice and guidance to
our members
Jisc consultants and subject
specialists & partner led
consultancy.
Cloud strategy formulation.
Cloud readiness assessments.
Cloud security and GDPR.
Cloud procurement advice.
Cloud implementation services.
Sector insights: facilitating
inter-member Cloud strategy
knowledge sharing and
collaboration.
Extensive partner eco-system
Cloud platforms.
Shared Data Centres.
Chosen for focus on Research and
Education.
Frameworks; for direct selection, or
mini completion.
Highly expert supporting cloud
services and technologies.
Managed services and professional
services.
IaaS, PaaS, SaaS: heterogenous
platform support. Many supporting no
egress charges for data.
World class cloud connectivity
Highspeed peering to global and UK
cloud providers; highspeed peering
with Google, Microsoft and Amazon.
Microsoft Azure Express Route
circuits: for dedicated Layer 2 private
connections to Azure Cloud.
GÉANT IaaS framework.
Discounts available via GÉANT for
cloud services and network egress
charges.
Cloud partners available via G-Cloud
framework for fast track procurement.
A strong voice for
our members
Strong working relationships with
the major cloud providers; high level
contact with senior education and
cloud leadership teams within Azure,
AWS & Google.
Advising how they can bring their
cloud service offering to
focus around the needs of the
community.
Providing feedback with our voice of
a trusted advisor for our community.
Ensuring an agnostic and balanced
relationship to all providers.
.
Advice,
Consultancy
and
Professional
Services
Partners
and
Platforms
Connectivity
and
Frameworks
Hyperscale
and
Public Cloud

Jisc Cloud Services
Delivered by Jisc consultants and our cloud partners.
Consultancy, Advice &
Professional Services
• Assistance to find the best platform /partner to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Strategic Consultancy, Migration, Implementation.
(The GÉANT IaaS Framework).
Frameworks:
• GÉANT IaaS framework participants include AWS and Azure resellers, along with several independent providers. Jisc
has made this framework available for use by the community.
• Some of the benefits of the framework include:
• Procurement under EU rules with its direct call-off process governed by UK law.
• Direct peering, high capacity and low-latency network.
• Better pricing through increased purchasing power by aggregating demand across many countries.

Cloud IdentityAccess Management - Managed Service.
Liberate
UK federation (SAML) IdP
eduroam home & visitor
govroam home & visitor
Assent IdP/SP
Web proxy.
North SDC [Leeds] and South SDC [Slough]
Shared Data Centres(SDC)
•Hybrid Infrastructure - Cloud and on premises for: SaaS Assurance; DR;
•Helping Estate Strategies reclaim space; reducing carbon footprints; removing inefficient local DCs.
•Research computing and HPC.
Jisc ExpressRoute Circuit Service
Direct Peering & Microsoft
Azure ExpressRoute
•Securing cloud services; extending internal networks to Azure cloud resources.
•AWS Direct Connect available soon.
•Traffic via a private connection, as opposed to over public Internet.
•Peering with all major Cloud providers.
Jisc Cloud Services cont..

A few example scenarios
A member is looking to improve DR assurance through provisioning an off site data store and service distribution. They wish to
retain a hybrid environment; but reduce onsite server footprint, to free up campus space for student focused activities.
They contact Jisc and ask for help.
Jisc provide:
1. Advice and consultancy to help the member formulate cloud strategy options that
would meet their requirements.
2. Costs for hosting equipment in the Jisc Shared Data Centre to both retain a hybrid
provision and help reduce local IT footprint.
3. Introductions to relevant Cloud Partners and pricing for hosting on partner platform;
plus costs for additional services such as professional services or managed services; if
required.
4. Access to the GÉANT Framework for procuring direct AWS, Azure or other cloud
providers.
5. On going advice and guidance.

A few example scenarios cont.…
A member is looking to procureAWS and Azure directly.
They are confident in their ability to deploy to the
respective platforms, and simply need a fast route to
procurement and favourable pricing.
Jisc provide:
1. Access to the GÉANT Framework for procuring direct AWS,
Azure or other cloud providers.
2. They sign the GEANT MSA and are able to begin procurement
immediately and access their preferred services.
3. They decide that due to the volumes of data being moved
between Azure and their campus, plus the need for an SLA,
they order Jisc Azure Express Route Circuits to connect to
Azure at layer 2 via Azure Express Route.

A few example scenarios cont. …
A member is planning a multi
million pound change project to
enhance service provision, and
enable the member to be more
agile and effective in meeting the
needs of students for the future. A
major cornerstone of the project is
to leverage the advantages of
Cloud. They need in depth
strategic advice and partnerships to
realise these outcomes.
Jisc provide:
1. Strategic consultancy: covering infrastructure reviews, financial x-ray and cloud
readiness assessments and analysis of solution options and potential target platforms.
2. Introductions to relevant Cloud Partners and pricing for hosting on partner platform;
plus costs for additional services such as professional services or managed services; if
required. They use Jisc partners to help deconstruct applications for movement to PaaS
platforms, integration with SaaS platforms and implementation of virtual servers on
IaaS platforms.
3. Additional in-depth analysis, application reviews, architectural workshops and cloud
solution architects provided through selected Jisc partners.
4. They sign the GÉANT IaaS Framework MSA and are able to begin procurement
immediately and access their preferred services.
5. They select additional Jisc introduced partners via G-Cloud or other relevant
frameworks for bespoke hosting of non standard applications and peta scale data
volumes.
6. They decide that due to the volumes of data being moved between Azure and their
campus, plus the need for an SLA, they order Jisc Azure Express Route Circuits to
connect to Azure at layer 2 via Azure Express Route.
7. They decide that the remaining Server IT estate footprint should move off site and sign
the MSA for the Jisc Shared Data Centre and align their server refresh program to
replace for new in Jisc Data Centre racks whilst decommissioning the remaining on
campus legacy sever infrastructure estate.

»Jisc’s new Cloud Managed Services platform for
identity and access management.
»We run an organization’s:
UK federation (SAML) IdP
eduroam home & visitor
govroam home & visitor
Assent IdP/SP
Web proxy
Liberate

»AMF & Liberate use two major cloud providers for
public facing services.
› Resilient, elastic, scalable; auto backup and archiving and
a global distributed architecture.
› UK federation metadata signing uses a Hybrid model
running security critical services in our own secure data
centres.
Applying Cloud

• Your Jisc account manager:
https://www.jisc.ac.uk/contact/your-account-manager
• cloud@jisc.ac.uk
To order Jisc Cloud Services direct, or for further
information contact:
Jisc Cloud Services
The Jisc Cloud Services webpage provides links to additional
information, suppliers and frameworks plus how to order:
https://www.jisc.ac.uk/network/cloud

I have been…
Josh Fry
Enterprise Director
Josh.fry@jisc.ac.uk
Lumen House HarwellOxford, Didcot,OX11
T 01235 822 177
customerservices@jisc.ac.uk
jisc.ac.uk

Moving to the cloud: cloud strategies and roadmaps

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Moving to the cloud: cloud strategies and roadmaps