Cloud Computing: The Ins and Outs

Cloud computing has become extremely popular in recent years because of its self-service, flexibility, availability, scalability, and pay-as-you-go service models. You may also have called cloud computing a cloud, cloud hosting, cloud server hosting, etc. So what is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is different from traditional hosting alternatives that use a single dedicated server because cloud computing uses virtualization technology to combine or share the resources of a basic network of physical servers. In other words, a group of physical servers acts as one large server, giving you the resources you need on demand. Cloud computing provides computing, data, or software shared over the Internet; this is the most common way to access the cloud. However, intranets and special networks are also used. Sources provided by the cloud include: networks, servers, storage, platforms, applications, and other services. And these resources are shared by people and organizations and are available to apps or users.

Five key features of cloud computing

In cloud computing, the five main characteristics distinguish it from traditional hosting alternatives, including fast elasticity, access to the global network, self-service on demand, pooling resources, and measurable service.

Self-service on demand

With self-service cloud computing on demand, you can access email, apps, networks, or server services without human intervention. Simply create an account with the seller, create billing and security information, and select the cloud computing resources you need. In general, all this is done with the help of a convenient and easily accessible web portal self-service.

Access to the global network

Cloud computing services are available over the network, via a dedicated network, the Internet, or the intranet. These services are available to everyone, anywhere, anytime on any device or workstation, of course, with the right login data.

Pooling resources

Cloud computing provides multiple customers with the same physical resources, but a separate environment for each customer. And the resources of these physical servers can be combined from different servers, in different data centers, in different places. And when the server on your network is disabled, your virtual server collects resources from another server in your physical network. Even if the entire data center on your network fails, your resources are consolidated from different data centers to different locations. This structure ensures that the risk is reduced in the event of a failure.

Fast elasticity

Perhaps one of the key advantages of cloud computing is the flexibility they provide to users, as cloud resources can be delivered quickly and resiliently for rapid scaling to meet demand. In other words, you get the resources you need when you need them.

Measured service

Cloud computing uses metrics to measure the usage of your resources, so you only pay for what you use. In other words, as with utility bills, you will only be billed for what you use – no more, no less.

3 key cloud computing service models

There are three main models of services in cloud computing. It is software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS).

Software as a service (SaaS) is the most widely used service model for cloud computing. SaaS allows developers and organizations to use third-party business applications. In the SaaS model, the provider places both the app and the data, and the end user can use the services anywhere. SaaS is not a regular local software because it is implemented online, usually on the Internet, and is accessed through a browser or software interface.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a form of cloud computing that provides users with software development tools placed in the cloud service provider’s infrastructure. In the PaaS environment, developers can use the resources of a cloud service provider to create and host applications on their platforms over the Internet. The biggest advantage of PaaS is that users can run existing applications or develop new ones without worrying about server hardware, operating system maintenance, load balancing, or capacity calculation. In other words, you can leave the responsibility for owning, managing and operating the operating system to your service provider. The services on offer can be anything from RunTime, Cloud Storage, Integration, Force etc. Service coverage includes: environment availability, environment performance, and lack of application coverage.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a form of cloud computing that provides network users with storage, virtualized servers, and system software that gives you all the functions of the entire data center. In other words, you can use the computers your service provider owns, operates, and operates. Resources should include servers, storage, a vendor-managed network, and virtualization levels so that your network architect can run your app and data. At the same time, you have control over operating systems and implemented applications. Types of services offered: cloud storage and virtual server. Some examples include Amazon Web Services, RackSpace Cloud and Go Grid. Service level coverage includes: time without fail of the virtual server, time of execution of the order and no coverage of the platform or application.

Three key cloud solutions

There are many types of cloud policies that you can use. There are three main types of cloud solutions: public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions.

Public cloud

When people think of the term cloud, they most often mean a public cloud. The public cloud solution is used by thousands of customers around the world and is available to everyone on the Internet. This is the simplest and most cost-effective cloud strategy to use.