> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sliu583.gitbook.io/blog/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sliu583.gitbook.io/blog/networking/index/reading-list/user-defined-cloud.md).

# User-Defined Cloud

* Cloud computing evolves --> services, instance types 
* Life cycle 
  * Provider identifies a new type of application / hardware
  * Provider develops / adapts SW/HW infrastructure
  * Provider launches a new service or extends an existing one 
* E.x. health industry 
  * Secure storage and processing 
  * But today:
    * No on-demand accelerator: pay extra with VMs 
    * No secure accelerator: use secure CPU and run slower 
    * No fine-grained tuning of systems feature: build your own 
      * Combine a set of services 
* No right service for niche applications 
  * Users have to build a local cluster or use a third-party services 
* Cloud providers "define" the cloud to accommodate the user needs they deem popular 
* Users know what is needed to run their workloads and should be allowed to get what they need 
* Idea: 
  * user-define computing resources and features for their own workload
  * cloud provider supply software and hardware infrastructures under the hood  

![User-define cloud ](/files/awqBn1xIBobZXe3exa5Y)

![What users can define ](/files/eVI174jNjyiH8qVNbZb5)

* Fine-grained hardware and software building blocks put together on demand like Lego pieces 

![](/files/ClEtumqbXtHXV3u2SPIk)

* Find the right combination of HW / SW

Benefits:

* Users 
  * Customize public cloud for exactly what they need 
  * No need to wait for providers to prepare new features 
    * Fast time to market, better performance 
  * No need to manage SW/HW infra
  * Pay as we go 
    * Low cost 
* Providers 
  * Build one set of configurable SW/HW infra 
    * Cheaper to develop and maintain 
  * Attract niche users 
  * Charge a higher unit resource price 
    * More profit