Disposable Infrastructure

The more we build up our tool set for scaling out the applications we build for both our clients and for ourselves, the less these apps are dependent on any single piece of infrastructure. The only part of our application infrastructure we really manage now are the application servers because everything else is provided as a service by Amazon or other providers including the database.

For those application servers, we have tools to manage them so easily now that we don't really worry about scaling out our apps, nor do we worry if they crash. Need more capacity? Launch more servers. Server crashes?  Launch a new one. Launch two if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Launched too many? Shut em down. We even launch new servers just to update a piece of software on them. It is literally easier to launch a new server that configures itself entirely including checking out the application code and adding itself to the load balancer, than it is to ssh in and update something on the server even with apt-get. In fact, I find having to ssh into a server an unnecessary pain now. Regularly killing servers and replacing them with fresh new ones is what I like to call Disposable Infrastructure.

Now that we at Appoxy have the experience, knowledge and tools to make managing and scaling applications so easy (and not scary), we firmly believe that this is the only way things should be done. It wasn't long ago that this type of thing wasn't even in the realm of possibility. Amazon launched EC2 in August of 2006 and this was really the game changing moment. Before then you either bought your own hardware or you leased servers by the month. EC2 brought that down to leasing by the hour which is what makes the disposable infrastructure a sane (ie: not-so-crazy) reality.

If you're interested in seeing how we do this, please get a hold of us, we'd be happy to show you.

Client Update: Plaster Networks Launches Intelligent Powerline Networking Device

Plaster Networks just launched their brand new product offering ethernet over powerlines as well as remote diagnostics and network management through a central website. The beauty of the product is in it's simplicity, you just plug in a PLN3 Adapter (pictured right) to a wall socket and connect it to your Internet router. Then you plug in other adapters anywhere you need an ethernet connection and bam, you're networked. They use your existing electrical cabling to create an instant LAN and it works great. We've actually got these adapters all over our office for desktop computers, Xbox 360 and even to extend our wireless range by plugging in wireless routers to a PLN3 adapters on opposite sides of the office.

The big differentiator between the Plaster Networks Adapters and the competition is the a special processor chip that adds a ton of extra functionality and smarts to the adapter. Every customer can access a site where they can see get full visibility into their network performance, find ways to diagnose performance issues, and communicate with the adapters to do things like changing network configurations and what not. Very cool stuff. 


And did I mention it's way faster than wireless?


You can get more information and purchase their products here.

Here is the press release:


PLASTER NETWORKS DEBUTS INTELLIGENT POWERLINE SOLUTION FOR IN-HOME
MULTIMEDIA NETWORKING

Menlo Park, California - October 20, 2009 - Today, Plaster Networks
(www.plasternetworks.com) announced availability of a new networking
solution for delivering music, videos, and other multimedia content using
existing electrical wiring within the home. In response to the growth of
streaming video, IPTV, and over-the-top (OTT) applications, Plaster Networks
offers a reliable alternative to wireless networks, and is more
cost-effective than installing Ethernet cables in the walls.

Plaster Networks delivers the first solution that combines intelligent
powerline adapters with a web-based service for remotely managing and
configuring the home network. The Plaster Networks solution also includes
powerline isolators that can filter unwanted noise, improving network
reliability and performance.

"Home networks are quickly transitioning from computer applications such as
web surfing and e-mail to broadband entertainment applications including
video, music, and online gaming," said Jeff Scroggin, CEO of Plaster
Networks. "By integrating advanced management and configuration into the
Plaster Networks PLN3 adapters, our goal is to make powerline networking a
reliable solution that delivers uninterrupted broadband connectivity within
existing homes, without the expense of installing dedicated network cables."

Combined with Plaster Networks Service, the company's PLN3 powerline
adapters allow users to see the throughput capacity of their powerline
network instantly through a standard browser. The Service provides an easy
way to verify the status of the network. And in many cases the Service can
help identify where to install Plaster Networks isolators to optimize
performance.

Based on the HomePlug AV standard, Plaster Networks PLN3 powerline adapters
deliver up to 200Mbps PHY rates (with equivalent Ethernet rates reaching
100Mbps). HomePlug AV provides a convenient and cost effective method of
distributing multimedia content in the home without new wires.

"Plaster Networks brings a new level of functionality to powerline
networking by combining Intellon's 6400 IC HomePlug AV Chipset Solution with
a dedicated network processor for management and diagnostics," said Rick E.
Furtney, President and COO of Intellon Corporation. "We are delighted that
Plaster Networks selected our latest HomePlug AV chipset for this innovative
solution for delivering a reliable broadband network within the home."

Plaster Networks PLN3 Ethernet adapters are available in the U.S. through
the Plaster Networks website (www.plasternetworks.com) at $149.95 for a set
of two. For a limited time, Plaster Networks is offering one year's free
subscription to Plaster Networks Service (including software updates).

About the company: Plaster Networks enables simple, reliable networking over
existing wiring. The company develops advanced hardware and software
technologies for low-cost, high speed powerline networks in the home or
small office. Plaster Networks was founded by Paul Baran, a Silicon Valley
entrepreneur widely known as the inventor of packet switching, the
foundation technology for the Internet. For more information, please visit
www.plasternetworks.com.