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What is cloud computing?
Simply put, cloud computing is the provision of computing services (including servers, storage, databases, networks, software, analytics, and intelligence) over the Internet (“cloud“). These services accelerate innovation, increase resource availability and save cost through higher scalability. You usually only pay for cloud services, which can help you reduce maintenance costs and improve the maintenance and upgrade of infrastructure to suit your business needs.
Who uses cloud computing?
Companies of all types, sizes and industries use the cloud in a wide range of applications such as data backup, disaster recovery, email, virtual desktops, software development, and testing, big data analytics, and web applications targeting customers.
For example, healthcare companies use the cloud to develop more personalized treatments for their patients. Financial services companies use the cloud as the basis for their fraud detection and prevention systems. Game makers use the cloud to develop online games for millions of players worldwide.
Advantages of cloud computing
There are numerous advantages of cloud computing to businesses which are:
Speed
Most cloud computing services are self-service and on-demand, so even large amounts of computing resources are provided within minutes, usually with just a few clicks. This gives companies flexibility and eliminates the need for continuous scheduling.
Global range
The benefits of cloud computing services have the potential to greatly expand. In the context of cloud services, allocating the right amount of IT resources (e.g., increasing or decreasing processing power, storage, or bandwidth) when needed and in the right geographical location.
Performance
Local data centers typically require multiple racks and servers, as well as hardware setup, software updates, and other time-consuming tasks. Cloud computing eliminates most of these tasks, allowing your IT staff to spend more time on tasks that are more important to the business.
Computing hardware
The largest cloud computing services operate on a network of secure data centers worldwide that are regularly upgraded to the latest generation of fast, efficient computing hardware. It offers a variety of benefits, including less network latency and more economies for applications than using a single enterprise data center.
Reliability
Cloud computing facilitates data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity and is less costly because the data is reflected on multiple repeat sites on the cloud service provider network.
Agility
The cloud provides easy access to a variety of technologies, allowing you to quickly discover and create almost anything you can imagine. Depending on your needs, you can rapidly increase resources such as compute, storage, and database of infrastructure for the Internet of Things, machine learning, data lakes and analytics, and more.
You can also implement technical services in minutes and turn your ideas into implementation faster than ever before. It gives you the freedom to experiment, change customer experiences, and test new ideas to change your business.
Save money
Allows you to avoid capital costs (for example, data centers and physical servers) in favor of cloud variable costs, paying only for the IT resources actually consumed. Also, for most economies of scale, variable costs are much lower than what you can pay for yourself.
Elasticity
With cloud computing, you no longer have to allocate more resources than you need to maintain peak levels of future business operations. This is enough to provide the resources that are actually needed. You can scale these resources to quickly increase or decrease capabilities, customizing them to company needs.
Types of cloud computing
Not all clouds are the same and any type of cloud computing may not be compatible with everyone. Many different models, types, and services have been developed to provide the right solution for your needs.
First, you need to identify the type of cloud expansion or cloud computing architecture on which cloud services will be implemented. There are three ways to implement cloud services: public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. Learn more about public, private and hybrid clouds.
Public cloud storage
Public clouds are owned and managed by third-party cloud service providers who provide their computing resources (servers and storage) over the Internet. An example of Microsoft Azure Public Cloud. In the public cloud, all hardware, software, and other supporting infrastructure are owned and operated by the cloud provider. You access these services and manage your account through a web browser.Â
Private cloud storage
Private cloud storage is a cloud computing resource that is used only by one company or organization. The private cloud can be physically housed in a corporate on-premises data center. Some companies pay third-party service providers to host their private cloud. A private cloud is one that operates services and infrastructure on a private network.Â
Hybrid cloud storage
Hybrid cloud storage is a combination of public and private clouds that are interconnected using technology that provides shared access to data and applications. Data and applications can be moved between private and public clouds. Therefore, the hybrid cloud improves business acumen, expands expansion options, and helps optimize existing infrastructure, security and compliance.Â
Types of cloud services: SaaS, Serverless, IaaS, PaaS
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a service (SaaS) is a method of distributing application software on demand and generally on the Internet-based on subscription. Under SaaS Plan, cloud providers host and manage software and built-in infrastructure, as well as all management, including software updates and security patches. Users connect to applications over the Internet using a web browser on their phone, tablet, or PC.
Serverless computing
Serverless computing resources are used in conjunction with PaaS. This allows you to focus on designing the functionality of your application without having to constantly maintain the required servers and infrastructure. The cloud provider does the configuration, capacity planning, and server management for you. Serverless architectures are event-driven, highly scalable, and use resources only when a specific function is executed or when a specific event occurs.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The main group of cloud computing services. If you rent your IT infrastructure (servers, virtual machines, storage, network, and operating system), you’re paying from the cloud provider.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The platform refers to cloud computing services as a service that provides an on-demand environment for developing, testing, distributing, and managing software applications. PaaS makes it easy for developers to quickly create web or mobile applications without having to deal with the underlying server, storage, network, and database infrastructure that developers need.
Cloud computing real-life example and usage
You are currently using cloud computing without your knowledge. If you use an online service to send an email, edit documents, watch movies or TV, listen to music, play games, or store photos and other files, cloud computing can provide it all. The first cloud computing services arrived just 10 years ago. However, a large number of companies – from small start-ups to global corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations – are already using the technology for a variety of reasons.
Here are some real-life examples that demonstrate the cloud service capabilities of usage of cloud service providers:
Application testing and building
Reduce application development costs and time with cloud infrastructure that can be easily scaled up or down.
Data analysis
Integrate your data into groups, sections, and locations in the cloud. Get action-packed insights to make better decisions using cloud services such as machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions.
Audio and video streaming
Connect with your audience any time of the day from anywhere in the world on any device with high-definition video and audio playback using the Global Distribution Function.
Implementation of diagnostic tools
Use clever models to engage customers and draw insights from the data you collect.
Create your own cloud apps
Quickly build, run and scale web, API, and mobile apps. Influence policies such as cloud-centric technologies and containers, Kubernetes, MicroServices architecture, API-based communication, and DevOps. Also, watch the news.
Data storage, backup, and recovery
Protect your data at a lower cost and on a scale – move it to remote cloud storage over the Internet, accessible from anywhere and on any device.
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