ssing schemes can include formats such as IP addresses assigned to databases and applications, and Media Access Control (MAC) addresses for individual computers. Without changes, some applications might not be compatible with hardware located in a provider's data centers. Software, transparent to customers and cloud providers is required to create compatibility between operating systems, hardware, and applications. A common practice is for customers to program their applications using a stack of open source LAMP programs (Linux, Apache, MySql, PHP), packages located, for example, on Amazon. Stacks are programs that work together. Linux is an operating system, Apache is an HTTP program for transferring data, PHP is a www.TechnicalPDF.com programming language. Perl and Python are also used instead of PHP. LAMP programs may be grouped together in container servers. Moving applications from data centers to the cloud can involve rewriting them or changing internal processes. In addition, compatibility between the two infrastructures is important, because applications that reside on a provider's infrastructure interface might not be compatible with its customers' databases. APIs, (Application Programming Interfaces) transparent to customers and cloud providers, create compatibility between operating systems, hardware, and applications. This enables different software programs to communicate with each other. Most companies use APIs to spin applications to the cloud. Some applications are not architected for the cloud. Standard web browser interfaces are used with APIs to access cloud-based applications. Before applications are spun up to the cloud, organizations test access to them with multiple web browsers to make sure they will be compatible with all staff even when staff are traveling or accessing them from home computers where a variety of browsers might be installed. If organizations want something more sophisticated than a web user interface, they might bring them in-house rather than putting them in the cloud. M