Fedorazon
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Fedorazon: The Cloud Repository
Fedora Commons Repository + Amazon Web Services = Cloud Repository! Fedorazon is an out-of-the-box version of the Fedora Commons repository software preconfigured for installation in the Cloud. <--So what does that mean? Basically, we created an blank copy of Fedora that can be quickly installed and used on rentable servers from Amazon.com (yes the big online book shop).
In fact, if you want to just skip over the explanation and go strait to the "how to guides" you can get your own copy of Fedora up and running in about ten minutes (and that's if you don't already have an Amazon.com account!): no technical expertise required!
Why use Fedorazon
Well, Fedorazon is great for those of you who want to have a play with the Fedora Commons repository software to see what it has to offer. Of course we recommend that you contact Fedora Commons directly for specific advice and uses (some very cool interfaces have been plugged into Fedora!), but we can help you get an instance of the software running so you can upload some content to see what it looks-feels like.
Some Advice: We realise that most of you while capable of launching Fedorazon are not inclined to spend your time making sure that Fedorazon's software/hardware are always working correctly (unfortunately while Fedorazon gets rid of the need for a hardware expert to turn on the repository, we do not provide the technical support required for such things as back-up, configuration and maintenance, e.g. we can teach you how to turn the key to the ignition to the repository but not how to drive). Please see our advice guides on the different levels of support you can get to support your instance of Fedorazon; there are even some companies who can support the software (best of both world's: open source with enterprise efficiency!).
Fedorazon Project History
Fedora Commons + Amazon Web Services (EC2+EBS+S3) = Project Fedorazon
Fedorazon was funded by JISC from October 2007 to October 2008 to explore the possibility of Cloud computing for repositories and provide some advice (cost analysis and future Cloud implications) to the repository community based on our year of playing with 'the Cloud'.
Though the project has come to an end, we are more than happy to provide support and advise beyond the funding of this project (in the spirit of an open source community) for any new inquiries: yes we'll gladly talk to DSpace, EPrints, Vendors and other "dodgy" (non Fedora) people as well ;-D We are especially interested in anyone dealing with services in the cloud that we could plug into Fedorazon to provide an even better default version that anyonce can openly launch.
About
Fedorazon was a JISC funded project (as part of the Start-Up and Enhancements Capital Funding). Its aim is to enhance the content of repositories throughout the UK's HE and FE sector by providing solutions for the scalability of repositories as they grow in size and complexity. As a rapid innovation project, it looks to remove the "hardware" barriers involved in launching and maintaining a repository. It has accomplished this by enabling the use of Fedora Commons repository software on-top-of Amazon's virtual servers (AWS). By pre-configuring these servers, any HE/FE institution can "rent" Amazon server space and launch their own secure Fedora Commons repository without having to pre-configure a local server within their institution. In short, institutions can launch their repository service in the same day they decide to have one, and without hiring a "hardware" expert.
The project has also provided best-practice and advice on the following:
- Exit strategy (in case Amazon turns off the switch! eek)
- Business cases (how much money can you save in the long term <- this is for the real "library" long term after all)
- Legal and risk strategies, i.e. what kind of back-up is provided and how does the SLA guarantee this?
- Migration technology (code for getting the stuff off of Amazon and onto another service, like your own server or a JISC server)
and don't forget about our...
- Help documentation (to take you step-by-step in launching your own version of Fedorazon)!
Contact
- Project Manager: David F. Flanders
- email: d[dot]flanders[at]bloomsbury[dot]ac[dot]uk
- skype: david.flanders
- twitter: dfflanders
- blog: dfflanders.wordpress.com
Where do I find out more stuff on Fedorazon?
Blogs, Tags and Googling
- "Fedorazon" is a unique word -thus far- so your best bet is to just put "Fedorazon" into Google and see what is popular these days.
- For musings on Fedorazon, you can try the project managers blog (but he waxes a bit poetical on technology so be forewarned). Use the search engine on his blog to put in the tag "fedorazon" and you'll get posts that relate (more or less?)
- Don't forget having a look on delicious! Anything related to Fedorazon we'll tag with "fedorazon" so have a look there for the most current stuff on Fedorazon.
- Finally, don't be afraid to put something up in one of these pages or in the discussion tabs, we have auto-notification set for these pages so we'll keep a watchful eye. Then again, just email us it is faster!
Other Fedorazon pages somewhere on this wiki
As for Fedorazon pages on this wiki, here is a more formal hierarchy structure for navigation:
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