User Requirements for Cloud Computing Architecture

To date, the literature on software architecture for cloud computing is focussed largely on the service provider, and inadequately reflects the fact that cloud computing is a form of client-server relationship. Architectures must also encompass the software and devices that users utilise in order to invoke functions in the cloud, and intermediary functions. A further problem with analyses to date is inadequate reflection of the risks that users are subject to when they use cloud services. This paper proposes a comprehensive model that reflects user needs, and identifies implications of the model for computer scientists working in the area.