One of most popular topics in the IT world, cloud computing
is founding favor with more and businesses as is shown by the latest IDC
report. The report predicts that IT cloud services revenue is expected to reach
$43.2 billion in the US by 2016, compared to the 2011 level of $18.5 billion.
Before understanding the true implication and benefits of adopting cloud
computing, let’s take a look at what is cloud computing. Cloud computing basically
is a means of computing by using shared resources instead of acquiring
individual servers to handle various types of applications. The resources in
this case are owned by a cloud host, which delivers the necessary hardware and
software to carry on a business via the internet.
The term cloud computing is inspired by the symbol of a cloud
that is used to represent the internet. A significant proportion of people are
actually using cloud services without being aware of it. According to the
Citrix Cloud Survey Guide, 54% of the respondents of a survey claimed that they
had never used cloud computing. However, 95% of them actually use it in terms
of online banking, social networking sites, online games, storing of photos on
an online system, using an online fire sharing system or music or videos.
Definition of Cloud
Computing
The definition of cloud computing is a form of computing that
involves delivery of hosted services over the internet and helps users save the
cost and effort of maintaining their individual infrastructure. The purpose of
cloud computing is to provide easy access to computing resources and
applications whose usage can be expanded or contracted according to one’s
individual needs.
Cloud computing services are administered through a central
server, which monitors and caters to the requirements of various clients. This
server provides the necessary storage space and applications to clients by
adhering to a certain set of rules. The centralized server uses special
software, called ‘middleware’, to facilitate communication between various
networked computers. Server virtualization allows a single server to meet the
needs of various customers and operate at full capacity. A cloud computing
system stores a lot of information and files, and to avoid the risk of losing
this information due to any kind of failure, it keeps a copy of all the
information.
Features of Cloud
Computing
Here are some of the most common features of cloud
computing:
- These services are offered over the internet with the user required to own only a personal computer or mobile and have internet access.
- The usage of cloud computing is elastic, meaning that users can increase or reduce the level of usage depending on their requirements from time to time.
- Cloud computing services can be private or public. While a public cloud like Amazon Web Services offers its services to anyone on the internet, a private cloud is accessible by only a limited number of people.
- Users of clouds need to pay only for the services actually used by them. So use of cloud computing is also referred to as utility computing
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| ZapCloud.com |
Types of Cloud
Computing Services
Cloud computing services can be of three types:
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service or IaaS
- Platform-as-as-Service or PaaS, and
- Software-as-a-Service or SaaS.
IaaS or the Base Layer of Cloud Computing
Amazon is one of the biggest provides of IaaS services,
wherein users are provided a virtual server, storage disks and other necessary
infrastructure. The payment for cloud is usage based so the organizations have
to pay for the cloud services according to the actual usage. This model is thus
often also referred to as utility computing.
PaaS or the Middle Layer of Cloud Computing
The two leading players in this
segment are the Force.com and GoogleApps. In this type of cloud computing
services, a set of software and product developments tools are hosted on the
provider’s infrastructure. The developers or the users create applications on
the service provider’s platform by using APIs, website portals or gateway software.
GoogleApps provides applications that can be used to centralize and secure the
usage and management of software.
SaaS or the Top Layer of Cloud Computing
In this model of cloud
computing the vendor supplies
the necessary software to the customer for a specific project. A very broad segment, this model can be a used
to offer web-based email, inventory control systems and database processing. In
this case the service provider hosts both the application and the data so the
end users have the option to use the service from any corner. The users of this
service generally pay a monthly or a yearly fee to use the software in the
cloud as compared to the traditional software which had to be acquired by
paying an upfront fee.
If you are wonder what is cloud computing or want to know
more about cloud computing, read on…. definition of Cloud Computing
Risks Associated with
the Use of Cloud Computing
The major risks associated with
the use of a cloud computing service involve:
- The privacy of data
- The security of data
- The ease of exiting a cloud
- Inadequate regulation
According to the definition of
cloud computing, this solution offers the sharing of virtual resources, which
in turn brings about ease and cost effectiveness in terms of data storage and
systems maintenance. On the other hand, users of cloud computing, who place
their data and applications on virtual servers, also expose themselves to the
risk of losing their data or misuse of this information by a third party. While
many cloud hosts encrypt user data while storing, several others store it in
the form of clear text thus making it vulnerable to hackers and thieves.
Access to any data stored on a
cloud is subject to the terms and conditions of the service agreement finalized
by a cloud hosting service owner. Another issue that has been hindering the adoption
of cloud computing is the ease with which a user can shift his data from one
cloud to another cloud. Cloud computing service providers need to work out a
clear exit route for customers wanting to shift their data. Another serious
concern related to cloud computing is the absence of any regulatory authority
that can protect privacy and guarantee the security of information stored on a
cloud.
Most cloud computing service
providers strive to give their clients peace of mind with regard to security,
privacy, ease of access and minimal downtime. With the alleviation of client concerns
and given the multiple benefits offered by cloud computing, this segment is to
exponential growth going forward. One factor that will have a major impact on
this is the growing popularity and usage of mobile devices like smart phones
and tablets. In today’s world, more and more people are using mobile phones to
get their work done and cloud based applications allow them to do so from
anywhere in the world.
