Hello, readers Databonker is back to shed light on yet another fascinating subject. You are all likely aware of the term “cloud computing,” and we all know that it is now experiencing a surge. However, what exactly is cloud computing, what does it perform, how does it work and what are its features? All of these topics will be covered in our post below. In addition to this, we’ll aim to include some actual instances of how cloud computing has helped a company. So continue to read the article.
What is Cloud Computing?
Let’s first define cloud computing before going into further detail about it.
Cloud computing simply refers to servers that are located remotely and can be accessed via the internet. Cloud computing can be defined as the management, storage, and access of data and software on remote servers that are connected to the internet instead of a computer’s local hard disc.
As opposed to keeping files on a proprietary hard drive or local storage device, cloud computing has made managing files much easier nowadays. As long as an electronic device has access to the web, it can obtain the data and the software needed to run it. For a variety of reasons, including cost savings, enhanced productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security, cloud computing is a popular choice for both individuals and corporations.
Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular with people who need more storage space and with companies looking for effective off-site data backup solutions.
Why it is named cloud computing?
Because the information being accessed is located remotely in the cloud or another virtual environment, cloud computing has earned its moniker. Users can store files and apps on faraway servers and then access the data via the Internet thanks to businesses that offer cloud services. This enables the user to access it remotely since they are not obliged to be in a specific location to do so.
With the help of cloud computing, you may process data without having to sit down at a computer or carry around heavy equipment. All of the work is also transferred to enormous computer clusters located far away in cyberspace. Your data, work, and applications are accessible from any device that can connect to the Internet, wherever in the globe, as soon as the Internet turns into the cloud.
Cloud computing Service Providers
Although it is still a relatively new technology, cloud computing is being used by many industries, including large corporations, small businesses, charitable organizations, governmental agencies, and even individual consumers. Thus, the following companies offer cloud computing services:
- Google Cloud
- AWS(Amazon Web Service)
- Microsoft Azure
- IBM Cloud
- Airbaba Cloud etc
Functions of Cloud Computing
These are a few of the cloud computing service providers; next, we’ll examine its features and offerings. A list of tasks carried out using cloud computing includes:
- Storage, backup, and data retrieval
- Creating and testing apps
- Analyzing data
- Audio and video streaming
- Delivering software on demand
Types of Cloud Computing
Private clouds, public clouds, hybrid clouds, and multi-clouds are the four primary categories of cloud computing. Each cloud pools, abstracts, and distributes scalable computer resources over a network. Cloud computing, which is the process of running workloads within that system, is also possible with every cloud type. Additionally, each cloud is built using a different combination of technologies, nearly always including an operating system, a management platform, and application programming interfaces (APIs). For additional features or greater efficiency, virtualization and automation technologies can be added to all types of clouds.
Let us understand the type of cloud computing in detail.
Public Cloud
A public cloud is designed to service many users, not just one particular client. A user needs a virtual computing environment that is distinct from other users and most likely isolated.
Public clouds are run by third parties who offer cloud services to the general public over the internet with pay-as-you-go invoicing options.
They provide ways to reduce the cost of IT infrastructure and develop it into a viable choice for managing peak demands on local infrastructure. Small firms can launch their operations without making significant initial investments by depending solely on public infrastructure for their IT requirements, making public clouds the go-to choice for these companies.
Advantages of using a Public cloud are:
- High Scalability
- Cost Reduction
- Reliability and flexibility
- Disaster Recovery
Disadvantages of using a Public cloud are:
- Loss of control over data
- Data security and privacy
- Limited Visibility
- Unpredictable cost
Private cloud
Private clouds are distributed systems that operate on private infrastructure and give users access to computer resources that are dynamically allocated. There may be additional plans that regulate cloud usage and proportionally charge the various departments or areas of an organisation in place of the pay-as-you-go model used in private clouds. HP Data Centers, Ubuntu, Elastic-Private cloud, Microsoft, and other companies offer private clouds.
Advantages of Private Cloud
- Customer information protection
- Infrastructure ensuring SLAs
- Compliance with standard procedures and operations
Disadvantages
- The restricted area of operations:
- Expertise requires
Hybrid cloud:
By merging the resources of the public cloud and the private cloud, a hybrid cloud is created, which is a heterogeneous distributed system. They are also known as heterogeneous clouds because of this.
The inability of private deployments to scale on demand and effectively handle peak loads is a significant disadvantage. Public clouds are required here. As a result, a hybrid cloud utilizes both public and private clouds.
Community cloud:
Community clouds are distributed systems built by combining the capabilities of many clouds to cater to the unique requirements of a particular industry, community, or business sector. However, it is challenging for companies to split up their responsibilities.
In a community cloud, companies that share concerns or tasks pool their infrastructure resources. A company or a third party may control the cloud.
Sectors that use Community Cloud:
- Media industry
- Healthcare industry
- Energy and core industry
- Scientific research
Types of Cloud Computing Services
The above discussed are the main types of cloud computing and now we will have a look at the main types of cloud computing services which are:
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
- Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS),
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
- Anything/Everything as a service (XaaS)
Software as a Service(SaaS)
A method of providing services and programs through the Internet is known as software-as-a-service (SaaS). We may avoid the difficult software and hardware management by just accessing software through the Internet rather than installing and maintaining it. It eliminates the requirement to install and run apps on our personal computers or in data centers, hence saving on hardware and software maintenance costs.
SaaS applications are also referred to as hosted software, web-based software, and on-demand software.
Advantages of SaaS
- Cost-Effective
- Reduced time
- Accessibility
- Automatic updates
- Scalability
PaaS is a subcategory of cloud computing that offers a platform and setting so that programmers may create online services and applications. Users can just use their web browser to access PaaS services, which are hosted in the cloud.
The hardware and software are hosted on the infrastructure of a PaaS provider.
The consumer has control over the deployed applications and perhaps the configuration options for the application-hosting environment but does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including the network, servers, operating systems, or storage.
Amazon Web Services Elastic Beanstalk, Salesforce, Windows Azure, Google App Engine, cloud Bees, and IBM Smart Cloud are among the organizations that offer Platform as a Service.
Advantages of PaaS:
- Simple and convenient for users
- Cost-Effective
- Efficiently managing the lifecycle
- Efficiency
Infrastructure as a Service
IaaS is a service delivery paradigm that outsources the provision of computer infrastructure to support various processes. IaaS is typically a service where infrastructure, such as networking hardware, devices, databases, and web servers, is supplied as outsourcing to businesses.
Amazon Web Services, BlueStack, IBM, Openstack, Rackspace, and Vmware are among the companies that offer infrastructure as a service.
Another name for it is “Hardware as a Service” (HaaS).
Advantages of IaaS:
- Cost-Effective
- Website Hosting
- Security
- Maintenance
Anything as a Service
It also goes by the name “Everything as a Service.” Nowadays, the majority of cloud service providers offer anything as a service that combines all of the aforementioned services with a few extra services.
Advantages of XaaS: As this is a combined service, so it has all the advantages of every type of cloud service.
Function as a Service :
An example of a cloud computing service is FaaS. It gives users or consumers a platform on which to create, compute, execute, and deliver the code or whole application as functions. It enables the user to fully build and update the code whenever they want without worrying about the underlying infrastructure’s upkeep. The created code can be put into action in response to the particular event. It is comparable to PaaS.
The various companies providing Function as a Service are Amazon Web Services – Firecracker, Google – Kubernetes, Oracle – Fn, Apache OpenWhisk – IBM, OpenFaaS.
After learning everything there is to know about cloud computing, including its nature, services, service providers, etc., tell us if it is actually assisting us in any manner. Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of using cloud computing.
Pros of Cloud Computing
Excellent accessibility
Using the cloud and an internet connection, we may quickly and conveniently access information stored anywhere, at any time. By ensuring that our data is always available, an internet cloud architecture boosts organizational productivity and efficiency.
Cloud computing reduces both hardware and software maintenance costs for organizations.
Mobility
Cloud computing allows us to easily access all cloud data via mobile.
Services in the pay-per-use model
Users of cloud computing are provided with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to access cloud services, and they are charged based on how often they utilize those services.
Unlimited storage capacity
The cloud provides us with a significant amount of storage space for centrally storing all of our vital data, including documents, photographs, audio, and video.
Data security
One of the main benefits of cloud computing is data security. Data is processed and kept safe thanks to the cloud’s various cutting-edge security measures.
Back up and restore data
Once the data is in the cloud, using the cloud to back up and restore the data is simpler.
Improved collaboration
Through shared storage in the cloud, cloud applications enable teams to more simply and quickly share information.
Disadvantages
Internet Connectivity
You probably already know that in cloud computing, all data (including images, audio, and video) is stored on the cloud and accessed over the internet. You cannot access this data if your internet connection is poor. We do not, however, have any other means of gaining access to cloud-based data.
Limited Control
The operation and execution of services within a cloud infrastructure are less within the control of cloud users as, as far as we are aware, the cloud infrastructure is entirely owned, maintained, and watched over by the service provider.
Vendor lock-in
The main drawback of cloud computing is vendor lock-in. Transferring an organization’s services from one vendor to another could provide challenges. Moving from one cloud to another might be challenging because different vendors offer various platforms.
Security
Although the best security measures are used by cloud service providers to store sensitive data. But before implementing cloud technology, you should be aware that you will be giving a cloud computing service provider access to your company’s critical data. There’s a danger that hackers will steal the data from your company while it’s being sent via the cloud.
Cloud Computing Example
Examples of Cloud Storage
Ex: Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook
Examples of Marketing Cloud Platforms
Ex: Maropost for Marketing, Hubspot, Adobe Marketing Cloud
Examples of Cloud Computing in Education, Career
Ex: SlideRocket, Ratatype, Amazon Web Services
Examples of Cloud Computing in Healthcare
Ex: ClearDATA, Dell’s Secure Healthcare Cloud, IBM Cloud
Examples of Cloud Computing for Government
Uses: IT consolidation, shared services, citizen services
Without having to worry about server hardware configurations or other requirements, cloud computing makes it incredibly simple for businesses to offer their products to end users. We hope that you have found this article to be informative and interesting, for more such updates and useful information, keep visiting www.databonker.com
