CLOUDY podcast | #25 Data center in a suitcase? When the cloud travels with you (Part 1)

What is the difference between a tactical cloud and a classic commercial cloud?

The classic cloud works on the Internet, we all know it. We store data on it, we communicate via social networks... The tactical cloud used by the military is built on the fact that those components also need to communicate, store data, have various sensors, devices that communicate with each other. However, they are limited by the fact that there may not be a commercial signal in the given location where they operate, because there is no Internet there. They have to bring and build the entire infrastructure. And we are talking not only about virtual, but also physical hardware components. Furthermore, it must be a device that is proven and works even in adverse conditions.

Is there a difference between a tactical and commercial cloud in that the commercial one is in the virtual world and the tactical one is carried with me?

Yes, with the tactical cloud, we actually distinguish two physical locations. One is a data center that operates somewhere in the headquarters and collects all the data, etc. And then there are the so-called edge locations - these are locations that are out in the open and other data centers are created in them, which are small, so-called "suitcase" ones. So for an ordinary user, the cloud is virtual, but with a tactical cloud you need to have something with you, bring it with you.

The tactical cloud apparently does not have a common commercial use. So what are the advantages, especially for the armed forces?

I would completely disagree with that. Regular forces have their records, databases, etc., which of course the regular user will not go to. But we are actually building infrastructure with the tactical cloud, which means that when, for example, a natural disaster occurs somewhere - a flood, an earthquake and regular communications and infrastructure are destroyed, the soldiers or government forces can use their technology to build that infrastructure locally.

And this is exactly what the tactical cloud can provide. It can build both government communications and commercial ones.

What is needed is installed in those virtual platforms, a function is assigned to it, it is configured and it can work. In the tactical cloud, we are trying to ensure that even regular forces, although trained personnel, but more or less not experts, can configure what is needed for a given location through various templates, i.e. predefined scenarios.

Why is a classic Internet cloud not enough for us when I am in a place where I have coverage?

Even though commercial networks work, the problem is that often the information may not be trustworthy, it may be confusing, altered through those commercial networks. There may be outages, the connection may not be of good quality... Through the tactical cloud, an infrastructure is built that is also trustworthy in terms of security, certificates, encryption and all the mechanisms that are currently available.

How quickly can a tactical cloud be launched?

Well, the tactical cloud is that it is actually still running, it is maintained in its configuration. So it is usable immediately. But if I need to change its purpose, the people on site, no special squad that has to arrive on site first, reconfigure the cloud according to the given templates for a new purpose according to orders. And that happens within minutes.

How can they communicate with each other, for example, rescuers with the police?

The tactical cloud as such configures your devices as the components agree. This means that if, for example, there is to be cooperation between law enforcement agencies, let's say police officers, soldiers, and there is a template for that, then that template is simply applied.

How individual departments communicate is of course their business, it is up to them to agree on.

What are the options if I cannot rely on the internet in a given location?

Law enforcement departments have their own communication options that are separate from the usual commercial ones and they are both fixed networks, but they also have their own radio frequencies that are secured, etc. The tactical cloud does not provide the communication that law enforcement departments normally use, it only configures them.

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