This book offers tested techniques for creating web applications on cloud computing infrastructures and for migrating existing systems to these environments. Specifically, you'll learn about the programming and system administration necessary for supporting transactional web applications in the cloud -- mission-critical activities that include orders and payments to support customers.

If you're involved in planning IT infrastructure, as a network or system architect, system administrator, or developer, Cloud Application Architectures shows you how to adapt your skills to work with highly scalable, highly redundant infrastructure services provided by Amazon and others. These resources your small or medium-sized organization previously couldn't afford. With this book, you will:

• Understand the differences between traditional deployment and cloud computing, including reliability, security, and the ability to predict load and capacity
• Learn how to structure a virtualized network in the cloud that supports security best practices
• Set up virtual servers to support transactional web applications and oversee a robust disaster recovery process, without having management tasks spiral out of control
• Get case studies that show how to apply the concepts of cloud computing in practice

You can largely eliminate your organization's need to own any servers with cloud computing, and Cloud Application Architectures points out the challenges you'll face when building and supporting transactional computing with this service. This book is still in progress, but you can get going on this technology through our Rough Cuts edition, which lets you read the manuscript as it evolves, either online or via PDF.