WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. Rather than managing files on a local storage device, cloud computing makes it possible to save them over internet.

 

Cloud computing is: 

• Storing data/application on remote servers
• Processing data/application from servers
• Accessing data/application via internet

 

Types of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is divided in two model, Deployment Model and Service Model.

Types of Deployment Model

Public Cloud - The cloud infrastructure is made available to the generic public over the internet and is owned by a cloud provider. (Ex. AWS, Microsoft Azure, IBM’s Blue Cloud and Sun Cloud)

• A service provider makes resources, such as application and storage, available to the general public over the Internet.
• Easy and inexpensive set-up because hardware, application and bandwidth cost are covered by the provider.
• No wasted resources because you pay for what you use.

Private Cloud – The infrastructure is exclusively operated by a single organization. It can be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on-premise or off-premise. ( Ex. AWS, VMware) 

• Offers hosted services to a limited number of people behind firewall, so it minimizes the security concerns.
• Private cloud gives companies direct control over their data.

Hybrid Cloud – It consists of the functionalities of both public and private cloud. (Ex. Federal agencies opt for private clouds when sensitive information is involved Also, they use the public to share datasets with general public or other government departments.

• A cloud computing environment which uses a mix of on-premises, private cloud and third-party, public cloud services.
• It helps you leverage the best of both worlds.

 

Types of Service Models

IaaS – If your business needs a virtual machine, opt for Infrastructure as a Service.

• IaaS is a cloud service that provides basic computing infrastructure.
• Service are available on PAY-FOR-WHAT-YOU-USE model.
• IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Compute Engine.
• Users: IT Administrators

PaaS – If your company requires a platform for building software products, pick Platform as a Service.

• PaaS provides cloud platforms and runtime environments for developing, testing, and managing applications.
• It allows software developers to deploy applications without requiring all the related infrastructure.
• Users: Software Developers

SaaS – If your business doesn’t want to maintain any IT equipment, then choose Software as a Service.

• In SaaS, cloud provider host and manage the software application on a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
• All software and hardware are provided and managed by a vendor, so you don’t have to maintain anything.
• Users: End Customers

 

WHY CLOUD COMPUTING?

• Pay for what you use

               Scale up = pay more

               Scale down = pay less

• No server space required for hardware and software maintenance
• Better data security
• High Flexibility
• Automatic software updates
• Teams can collaborate from widespread locations
• Data can be accessed and shared anywhere over internet
• Rapid implementation

 

Benefits from Cloud

Cloud Computing brings many benefits:

For the market and enterprises

• Reduce initial investment
• Reduce capital expenditure
• Improve industrial specialization
• Improve resource utilization

For the end user and individuals

• Reduce local computing power
• Reduce local storage power
• Variety of thin client devices in daily life