This document summarizes a presentation about high-speed accounting for virtual resources. It discusses how accounting collects and stores resource usage records, and how accounted data provides a basis for accountability, value creation, and charging/billing. It notes challenges for accounting systems from very high speeds, large customer numbers, and data retention regulations. The conclusion emphasizes that reliable accounting is key but must consider costs, and that achieving accountable and cost-effective high-speed accounting faces significant challenges.

1. SESERV
Socio-Economic Services for European Research Projects
http://www.seserv.org
European Seventh Framework CSA FP7-2010-ICT-258138
High-speed Accounting for Virtual
Resources
Martin Waldburger
University of Zurich
Poznan, Poland, October 25, 2011
© 2011 The SESERV Consortium 1

2. High-speed Accounting for Virtual
Resources
• Accounting = Collect and store resource usage
records
• Value of accounted for
data depends on
accounting
demand
• Accounting provides quantified basis for
• Accountability
• Value creation
© 2011 The SESERV Consortium 2

3. Data Center Scenario
Jurisdictions:
• Data retention
• Data protection Bottlenecks:
• Consumer protection • Very high speed
• Contract law • #Customers
Benefit > • Time/packet
Costs? • #flows
Multi-tier value network: Risk:
• Accountability, trust? • Loss of information
Charging and billing: • Granularity loss
• Value in terms of revenue
© 2011 The SESERV Consortium 3

4. Conclusions
• Reliable, working accounting system is key
• Basis for accountability and value creation
• Multiple demand drivers – resulting tension
fields
• Accounting essential for value creation
• But consider costs as well!
• Managerial, technical feasibility
• Feasible, but many challenges ahead!
© 2011 The SESERV Consortium 4