Amazon launches CloudFormation to simplify complex cloud builds

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Amazon is looking to make it easier for developers to configure and manage their applications and resources by introducing CloudFormation to its cloud-based Amazon Web Services.

According to Amazon, its CloudFormation feature simplifies the process of creating stacks of applications and resources in cloud environments. This is particularly useful as stacks become more complex and the challenge of dealing with errors continues to grow, Amazon stated.

In a recent InfoWorld report, cloud computing blogger David Linthicum called the launch of CloudFormation a "good start," but noted the technology would be enhanced if it could be applied to several clouds, rather than just Amazon's. By doing so, Linthicum stated, the process of intercloud management would be further simplified for businesses and developers, enabling them to deal with thousands of resources in a single, integrated environment.

"The reality today and for the foreseeable future is that you cannot pick a single cloud provider as a winner and move all of your assets to its cloud service. Instead, you need to use the right cloud for [the] right job," Linthicum wrote. "In many instances, that means there will be more than one cloud in your portfolio."

Amazon has rolled out a number of new features for its AWS cloud service in recent months. In addition to CloudFormation, the company recently introduced the Elastic Beanstalk, Amazon Simple Email Service and new support plans.