I’m proud to announce the conclusion of a risky, year-long assessment of Amazon EC2. As a technology professional and early adopter since the late 80s, I’ve always had a penchant for living on the cutting edge of technology. Cloud computing is no exception. Nearing my two year anniversary as an Amazon Web Services customer, I am pleased with Amazon’s cloud experience. It’s solid, reliable, and extremely flexible. I’ve launched and configured dozens of servers for personal and client projects ranging from databases to VoIP applications. I’ve never experienced a single failure.

So, why was this experiment risky? Until a few months ago, Amazon lacked a permanent storage solution to maintain data in the event a server crashes. Sure, I maintained backups, but I still ran the risk of losing important data. It’s a risk I was ready to take and I’m happy to report that my experiment with cloud computing was successful.

I hope my experience will encourage others to adopt cloud computing for their own projects. If you’re considering Amazon Web Services, I’d be happy to assist you. Just contact me.

Now through December 31, 2008, I am offering discounted, personalized Amazon EC2 services for individuals and businesses for only $250. The following is included in this limited offer:

1. Personalized assistance to setup and configure your Amazon EC2 account
2. 3 hours consulting
3. Setup, configuration and training on how to use a Linux or Windows server in the cloud
4. Setup and configuration of base software and modules for Linux or Windows
5. Additional assistance as necessary (within 3 hour consulting limit)

This offer is ideal for any individual or business interested in the following:

1. Evaluating cloud computing for cost and performance analysis
2. Moving services, data and web sites to the cloud
3. Saving money on data distribution costs
4. And more

If credibility or capability is of concern to you, no worries: There plenty of links to my work in the cloud on Google. I’ve been featured by Amazon at Sylantro’s Global Summit and on their AWS blog for my open source telephony and cloud computing work.

Let’s get started, shall we?

On October 31, 2007, I embarked on a new journey in technology: I embraced the cloud computing movement. I did so with the clarity of knowing that I was joining a movement that would transform how we access, interact with and utilize computers. It was a risk I did not hesitate to make, even when my financial position wasn’t at its healthiest for most of 2007.

So, why did I risk increasing my monthly expenditures on web services by 73% ($20 to $75 per month) when I didn’t have much money for such increases? It’s pretty simple: Freedom of restriction. In the world of web services, there are contracts, limitations and obstacles. These all get in the way of truly accomplishing a task or realizing a dream (without losing your shirt in the process). In the world of cloud computing, there are no boundaries. No constraints. No limits. The world is truly yours to discover.

Cloud computing is a wonderful shift in technology as we know it today. Now, with a few keystrokes and clicks, one can power any dream online without concern of outrageous fees or unrealistic commitments. You are free to explore your creativity and wild imagination to your heart’s content. There isn’t a phone number to call to add an additional server, module or hard drive. You can now do all of this yourself within minutes for how ever many units you desire.

Looking back on a year of using the Amazon Web Services platform, I can say with full conviction that I made the right choice. I’ve sent all of my telecommunication and web hosting needs to the cloud. 90% of my digital life now resides in the cloud and I am quickly aiming for 100% in 2009. Thanks to Amazon’s extraordinary work in this space, they’ve torn down the digital barriers which previously prevented many from accessing raw computing power as necessary. Their effort has enabled a new generation of developers, entrepreneurs and small businesses with unparalleled access to modern technology that we haven’t seen in the last 25 years.

I am overjoyed about cloud computing. It is the most critical development in technology that we’ve ever witnessed. It’s more important than the Internet and desktop software. It is the foundation which will empower dreamers with the tools to transform societies and the way they use technology on a daily basis. This is bigger than the personal computer or mainframe. This is about enabling humanity to develop new ideas, possibilities and endless realities without fear of financial burden.

It is my desire to share my enthusiasm for cloud computing with the world. It is my mission to engage as many people as possible in this defining moment in technology. This is an exciting time to witness the evolution of modern technology. We are only at the beginning stages of this incredible movement. Imagine what the next five years will bring the world thanks to cloud computing:

• Open source, enterprise-grade telecommunications for individuals and businesses
• Virtual workstations
• Free, global long distance calling
• Data backups for life
• And a lot more

I look forward to helping developers, entrepreneurs, corporations and the entire world realize the cloud computing dream. Let’s make it happen, together.

That’s right, folks. I am posting this entry via a remote desktop connection to a virtualized server at Amazon’s vast server farm in Seattle, Washington. What am I talking about? Maybe the announcement that Amazon’s cloud computing platform, EC2, is out of beta with Windows support? Yeah, that might be it!

Right now, I feel like shouting at the top of my lungs about how AMAZING this all really is. For only .125 cents an hour, I can now launch as many Windows Server 2003 ‘virtual machines’ as I’d like. I don’t have to worry about licensing, acquiring server hardware or bandwidth. In just under two minutes with a few clicks (I use the ElasticFox FireFox plugin for EC2), I was able to launch a Windows Server with ease and use it remotely from my laptop here at home.

If you’re not already aware, Ronald Lewis Dot Com runs on an Amazon EC2-based Linux server. It not only runs this web site, but many more! It even manages several phone numbers, voicemails and a lot more thanks to my Asterisk PBX telephone system. I’m overjoyed by Amazon’s announcement of their support for Windows. I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful development this is. It’s another step in the right direction for cloud computing and Internet services overall. Do not underestimate my cool demeanor here. At this point, I want to run around Denver proclaiming that this new development is “the future of computing!” I’m truly speechless right now. Speechless. Numbed. Paralyzed. Wow!

How best to sum this all up? AMAZING! Here’s another reason why I’ve decided to use Amazon’s EC2 platform exclusively for all of my web needs. It doesn’t get any better than this. I can hardly contain my excitement. For those who care about technology and read the announcement, you should already know what a big deal this is. This is a defining moment in computing. Cloud computing is the future! Once again, Amazon has redefined an emerging space with exponential potential! They understand where this space is going and are responding intelligently with robust solutions to meet demand.

More to come on this soon. I’m so psyched at the moment that I cannot think straight. This is just amazing. It’s developments such as this that make me realize how wonderful technology is and how it can inspire a new world of innovation and creativity. Imagine the possibilities for developers and startups seeking to make their mark in the world. They can do so without the costly overhead of co-locating servers or spending outrageous fees on Microsoft licenses. This is a game changer, folks. This is serious business. This changes everything.

For months, I’ve been sitting on a few interesting domains that I purchased on a whim in the event I might do something with them. Today, I am pleased to announce the upcoming unveiling of CloudCrunch. You may have seen the name around the Internet or here on my blog, but today, I want to officially raise awareness of it and let folks know that it’s happening.

Cloud computing is an exciting development in technology. It harkens back to the day of ‘time sharing’ with mainframes, but the difference here is that one has complete and full control over their virtual server. I’ve been a strong proponent of Amazon’s EC2 platform, which I believe is the ‘best-of-the-best’ for this emerging space.

It is my intent to build CloudCrunch to become one of the Top 10 cloud computing resources on the Internet. The centerpiece of the site will be a blog, followed by resources including forums, howto guides and more. The first howto guide to launch with the site will center around the installation of Digium’s Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2. There’s been a lot of interest in this guide and I believe it will become a hit once CloudCrunch launches.

When I’m satisfied with the initial build of CloudCrunch, I’ll announce a soft launch to get the wheels turning. Special thanks to the many people who’ve expressed interest in my cloud computing projects here on ronaldlewis.com.

Any day now, I’ll create a spoof of Steve Ballmer chanting the importance of cloud computing. In just months, we’ve witnessed an increasing trend in computing where developers and small businesses are consolidating their IT infrastructure and outsourcing it to the likes of Amazon (EC2). Why is cloud computing becoming a hot topic in technology today? I think I have an easy answer:

Cost effective access to unlimited computing power

Do you have a server farm in your shed or back office? Do you have the latest in high-performing blade servers that are ready to host demanding applications and web sites? Do you have vast amounts of bandwidth to power your global reach?

If you’re a consultant, developer or small business owner, there’s a strong likelihood that you lack the technological resources of an enterprise. Now, thanks to cloud computing, the data center is now virtual and available for any tasks you can throw at it.

This website is powered by Amazon’s multi-billion dollar IT infrastructure. It lives on one of thousands of servers within the company’s vast network of server farms. The only limits are defined by the server you launch and configure. The Digg effect? What’s that? Amazon EC2 is truly a dream come true.

Cloud computing is one of the most exciting developments in technology that I’ve personally witnessed in the last decade. It puts the power of the enterprise in the hands of smaller operations — For pennies a day. I cannot think of a better way to launch new companies, develop new Internet applications or create the ‘next big thing’ in technology.

Imagine all the possibilities of cloud computing and Amazon EC2:

1. Web hosting
2. Software development
3. Telecommunications (Asterisk PBX)
4. Storage

The future of computing and the Internet is “in the cloud”.

Note: I am not endorsed by Amazon Web Services.

Update: Please follow this post for the latest regarding the release of the Asterisk / Amazon EC2 How-to guide

I am excited to announce the upcoming availability of my new How-To guide on Asterisk and Cloud Computing. Created for Amazon’s EC2 platform (part of Amazon Web Services), it will teach anyone with an AWS account and server to setup their very own PBX “in the cloud” in one hour or less!

With this guide, open source telephony aficionados will be able to tinker with, deploy and manage a world-class telecom solution for their home or business. Setup extensions, voicemail, phone numbers and more! With Asterisk and Amazon EC2, there’s no limit to what you can achieve with a world-class computing and telephony platform.

This guide is based on months of evaluation and testing of Asterisk on Amazon EC2. All the kinks and showstoppers have all been addressed in this simple, easy-to-use guide. Don’t waste hours trying to figure all of this stuff out on your own! Get the guide as soon as its available!

Keep checking back for updates to learn of the guide’s availability.

Seven years ago, I began my experimentation with Asterisk and IP telephony on Linux. I had previously ditched my reliance on POTS (“Plain Old Telephone Service”) in favor of a new player in the VoIP space: Vonage. (I’ve been using VoIP since 1995, starting with Vocaltec’s Internet Phone)

Read my popular guide on configuring Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2

Amazed and equally blown away by the feature set and possibilities of VoIP, I began to wonder how anyone could implement this technology for their own use. That’s when I discovered Asterisk.

Today, my implementations of Asterisk no longer reside on a physical server shoved in a closet somewhere. Instead, they now live “in the cloud” within Amazon’s vast IT enterprise environment in Seattle, Washington. I can remotely manage and administer my Asterisk installation from anywhere in the world, including the addition of extensions, troubleshooting the dial plan and much more.

Since experimenting with telephony in the cloud, I haven’t experienced any downtime in four years of testing Asterisk on Amazon’s EC2 platform. No downtime! What’s even better about implementing Asterisk in the cloud is that it’s painless and hassle free. Servers can be launched instantly — and in real-time — without unboxing and installing necessary hardware to “turn up” new installations for service expansion, etc.

As someone with a near 20 year history with technology, the combination of IP telephony with cloud computing is an amazing development in the telecom world. The possibilities are endless and only limited by one’s imagination. Welcome to a new world of telephony — reinvented in the cloud.

If you’d like to experience Asterisk and IP telephony in the cloud for yourself, read my popular DIY guide now!