The IHEP Public Service Cloud Computing Platform (IHEP Cloud) was officially launched on Nov. 18, making cloud computing services available to IHEP staff.

Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). Users can access cloud computing systems from their desktop, laptop, cellphone, tablet or any similar device. Since its inception, cloud computing has attracted attention from governments, enterprises and scientific institutions worldwide.

IHEP Cloud is a cloud computing platform developed by the IHEP computing center, based on Openstack. Aiming to realize the virtualization of physics computing resources, IHEP Cloud has created an efficient virtual computing environment for IHEP users. Users do not need to purchase any hardware, install an operating system or worry about maintenance - they can have a dedicated virtual machine within minutes by submitting an application and logging on to IHEP Cloud.

A test environment with nearly 200 virtual machines resources is currently established at IHEP and open to IHEP staff. After an upgrade in early 2015, it is expected to offer 1000 virtual machines to users.