Cloud computing has become mainstream. Whether you’ve seen or heard the term or not, if you use the Internet and any of its many services, there is a good chance you have already been utilizing cloud computing.
Cloud technology has had far-reaching implications for all of us and it’s shaping how we communicate, how we do business, and how we enjoy our leisure time. As a result, cloud computing has seen a significant uptick in user adoption over the past few years, and will probably continue to increase as we move forward.
What is Cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a style of online application delivery. It is a pool of massive bandwidth, processing power, and hardware resources for use by anyone with Internet access.
Cloud computing connects end users to organizations that provide apps, services, and data over the Internet using application deployment and software as a service. The first use of the term “Cloud” was to describe a remote “Cloud Server” in 1999 at Microsoft Corporations’ intranet service eXtreme Computing System. In late 2003, the term “Cloud Computing” was coined and publicly described by NASA scientist James Martin.
How does it work?
Cloud computing technologies greatly and instantaneously decrease the costs of data center hardware, provide access to applications and services without requiring on-premise software licenses or special infrastructure, provide access to a virtually limitless pool of available applications and data, and provide easy-to-use interfaces for creating, administering, updating and customizing such applications. In contrast with traditional computing models that require users to obtain permission from a single authority (such as an application vendor or network administrator), system administrators in a cloud environment do not control the software that their users are using.
Cloud-based applications are accessed by end-users via the Internet, delivered as a service rather than on a physical device such as a personal computer or network server and it is the internet that allows this.
What’s the difference between this computing and other distributed services?
Cloud computing differs from other distributed services that allow concurrent user access in that it uses an adaptive approach to resource usage, where only provisioned resources are allocated to each user rather than an unlimited amount of resources being available, resulting in much less wasted capacity.
Cloud systems also offer better performance and scalability, in turn allowing users to get greater value from their resources and deliver more at a lower cost. Cloud-based computing is often more secure than traditional software because users can’t install it on their own it’s hosted on private servers protected by firewalls.
What are the 4 types?
1. Private clouds
Cloud computing can describe a computing infrastructure managed by a hosting provider. This is the most common type of cloud. A private cloud is created in order to provide an organization with scalability, flexibility, and control over how its data is stored. For example, IBM’s SoftLayer environment allows organizations to host their own private clouds on IBM hardware while providing them with the ability to scale up or down as necessary.
2. Public clouds
A public cloud is a cloud computing environment that is accessible by the general public. It is typically owned by a hosting provider and can be accessed through the Internet. The storage, hardware, and platforms are managed by the hosting provider, who makes it available over the internet at large. Anyone with Internet access can sign up for this service; once an account has been create, users simply log in to use computing resources provide by the cloud.
3. Hybrid clouds
A hybrid cloud is a combination of two or more kinds of clouds. For example, Microsoft Exchange servers are located in a public cloud, and email operations on high-end servers under the DirectAccess protocol can be located in a private cloud. Some say hybrid clouds are the future since they allow cloud-based applications to be fully functional even during power outages or other service disruptions. For example, when Hurricane Sandy hit the New York City area in October 2012, the data centers of many companies were knock offline. But because some applications were host on private clouds instead of public ones and locate in different areas of the U.S., they continue to work without interruption.
4. Multi clouds
A multi cloud is a situation in which a customer has an environment that shares computing resources among more than one cloud provider. As the number of cloud platforms has increased, so has the number of cloud-based solutions available to businesses and consumers. Businesses are using multiple clouds, sometimes even having some of their data spread across different clouds, which is known as multi clouds.
For example, Apple operates iCloud (a public cloud), but also offers enterprise-level solutions through its own private cloud service.
Benefits
1. Cost
Cloud computing provides immense cost savings over traditional on-premise solutions, whether in terms of hardware, energy, or management. A private cloud, for example, can provide a powerful level of scalability to an organization’s computing resources as needed and will be available 24/7/365.
2. Flexibility
Cloud computing provides the same benefits for a business as traditional IT infrastructure, but without the overhead costs associated with maintaining those resources and purchasing software licenses to use them. In addition, the hardware and software in the cloud will be manage by the cloud provider, minimizing administration costs.
3. Speed of delivery
While infrastructure hosting can be a time-consuming process. Cloud computing provides the ability to deploy new software with minimal time. And effort like on-premise IT infrastructure.
4. Security
With fewer concerns about security in an asset hosted in a cloud environment. Then with equipment located on-premise, organizations can focus their efforts on other priorities. An organization can more easily protect data in a cloud environment. Protect against insider threats and even minimize liability through compliance with appropriate regulations.
5. Flexibility of use
Software is available via the cloud at any time, from anywhere on any device. The ability to access and manage applications on-demand provides organizations. With the flexibility to telecommute or work from home without interruptions. As well as achieve greater levels of productivity with fewer staff members.
6. Maximized resources
Cloud computing allows businesses to maximize their use of computing resources. By providing powerful levels of scalability to their infrastructure. Whether for storage, processing power, or bandwidth. Instead of buying expensive equipment and waiting for support. Cloud providers are able to provide this service at a fraction of the cost. While traditional IT infrastructure is a one-time capital expense. Cloud computing offers a more flexible level of scaling in which additional capacity can be pay. For as needed without the expense associated with purchasing new equipment.
Conclusion
Although cloud computing is still controversial to some, it is a vital and necessary component of the modern business environment. Cloud computing has great potential to transform the way businesses run their day-to-day operations. Organizations will also experience cost savings, increased flexibility, and better productivity when transitioning to cloud computing. However, if you do choose to go with a cloud-based service provider. Always ensure that you have an appropriate backup in case of any problem with your system.