Web-scale IT is used to reference a global-class of computing or an architectural approach used to deliver the capabilities of large cloud service providers within an enterprise IT setting. The approach is to design, build and manage data center infrastructure where capabilities go beyond scale in terms of size to include scale as it pertains to speed and agility.
Web-scale IT is simply defined as all the things happening at large cloud service firms, such as Google, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and others, that enables them to achieve extreme levels of agility and scalability by applying new processes and architectures. (source)
Web Scale Methodology
Web-scale IT methodology pertains to designing, deploying and managing infrastructure at any scale and can be packaged in a number of ways to suit diverse requirements and can scale to any size of business or enterprise. It is not a single technology implementation, but rather a set of capabilities of an overall IT system.
Web Scale Properties
Nutanix, a Web-scale converged infrastructure provider, considers the following properties in defining Web-scale infrastructure:
- Hyper-converged on x86 servers – integrated compute and storage.
- Distributed everything – cluster-wide data and services.
- Self-healing system – fault isolation with distributed recovery.
- API-driven automation and rich analytics.
- Multiple applications simultaneously.
Web Scale in the Enterprise
Gartner first introduced the term Web-scale IT in 2013. According to recent research, Gartner analysts predict that Web-scale IT will be an architectural approach found in 50 percent of global enterprises by 2017. Many enterprises are expected to emulate the architectures, processes and practices of cloud providers such as Amazon, Facebook and Google.
