Cloud computing refers to the distribution of information technology services and operations in many locations, connected by the Internet. People and businesses using the services won't actually have or control the technology, nor will they have to maintain it. The concept is analogous to so-called "software-as-a-service" where customers use software hosted on servers somewhere else.

The three companies are working with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany on the project, which aims to promote research and teaching in cloud computing.

Six datacenters will be set up using HP and Intel equipment -- they should be up and running and available to researchers later this year. Computers in the centers will run a type of open source software developed by Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO).

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is based in Santa Clara and makes computer processors. Palo Alto-based HP (NYSE: HPQ) makes computers and printers. Sunnyvale-based Yahoo is a web portal that makes most of its money from advertising.

The term "cloud" comes from the use of a cloud shape in drawings and network diagrams to represent the Internet.

© 2008 American City Business Journals