Computing as a utility has arrived. Companies are shifting from a world in which we run computers, to one in which we pay for computing. The benefits are tremendous: Cost-effective infrastructure that scales as needed, and an ability to focus on the business rather than the platforms. But the risks are high, and cloud computing may not be ready for prime time. This book offers a first-time in-depth look into the managed processes for cloud computing. How reliable is the cloud? Enterprises demand predictable service levels, reliable delivery, and committed availability. This book looks at what level of service we should demand - and can expect - from cloud computing infrastructure, as well as tools and best practices for measuring it. New computing means new management. This book covers emerging best practices for managing applications when they're running in the cloud.