Cloud Computing
Simply put, cloud computing is when computer services are stored and accessed over the Internet instead of on hard drives. Our guide will walk you through what cloud computing is, how it works and how it is used today.
Cloud Computing Overview Application of Cloud Computing
The cloud is surrounded by digital devices and numbers to represent cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to any type of managed service provided over the Internet.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to any type of managed service provided over the Internet. These services typically include servers, databases, software, networking, analytics, and other computing functions that can run in the cloud.
Users of the service can access files and programs stored in the cloud from anywhere, eliminating the need to stay close to physical devices. In the past, for example, user-created documents and spreadsheets had to be stored on a physical hard drive, USB drive, or disk. Without some kind of hardware component, the files were not accessible outside of the computer they grew on. Thanks to cloud storage, there are also fewer people who have to worry about damaged hard drives or lost or damaged USB drives. Cloud computing makes documents available everywhere because the data actually lives in a network of hosted servers that transmit data over the Internet.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a managed service provided over the Internet that allows users to access files and programs from anywhere, eliminating the need to stay close to physical devices.
Types of cloud computing services
Cloud computing services are divided into three main categories: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
Software as a service
SaaS is the most common type of cloud service. Most of us use it every day. The SaaS model allows software to be accessed through a device or web browser. Some SaaS applications are free, but many require a monthly or annual subscription to maintain the service. SaaS solutions require no hardware or system installation and are a huge success in the business world. Notable examples include Salesforce, Dropbox, and Google Docs.
Platform as a Service
PaaS is a cloud environment that supports the development and deployment of web applications. PaaS supports the full lifecycle of applications, enabling users to build, test, deploy, manage and optimize all in one place. The service also includes development tools, middleware, and business intelligence solutions. Notable examples include Windows Azure, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Google App Engine.
Infrastructure as a service
IaaS provides users with the capabilities of computing resources such as data storage, servers and devices – all in the cloud. IaaS gives businesses access to large platforms and applications without the need for large web infrastructure. Notable examples of IaaS include DigitalOcean, Amazon EC2, and Google Compute Engine.
Advantages of cloud computing
There are many benefits to be gained from cloud computing. In an increasingly global world, one of the most important advantages of the cloud is that it allows business activities to continue regardless of the location. A report from Grand View Research highlighted the shift to remote work models as a key growth driver in the US cloud computing market, which is expected to see a CAGR of 15.7 percent from 2022 to 2030.
Cloud storage also comes with many other benefits. Business leaders report that the top benefits of cloud computing are increased performance, faster deployment, collaboration tools, security and remote access, according to Statista.
How does cloud computing work?
Basically, the cloud is a shared space to share information through satellite networks. Every cloud application has a host, and the hosting company is responsible for maintaining large data centers that provide the security, storage capacity, and computing power needed to store the information. -all information that users send to the cloud.
How cloud computing works
Cloud computing works by having companies host or maintain large data centers that provide security, storage capacity, and computing power to support cloud applications. Customers pay for the rights to use their cloud as well as an ecosystem of hardware and software communication.
These hosting companies can sell the rights to use their cloud and store data on their network, while providing the user with an environment that can communicate between hardware and software (for example, download a song to a laptop your and it immediately matches the music. ). app on your iPhone)
Types of cloud computing providers
The public cloud
This is the most common and all the players in the cloud computing space (Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Google) run public clouds that can be accessed from anywhere with the right login and web access.
Private cloud
This model offers the same kind of flexibility as the public cloud, but with the basic needs (hosting, data storage, IT staff, etc.) provided by businesses or service users. In addition, restricted access and manual host management give the private version an additional layer of security.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud computing is a combination of public and private models. The two types of clouds are connected over the Internet and can share resources when needed (for example, if the private cloud reaches storage capacity or crashes, the public cloud can step in and save the day)
Cloud computing applications
Businesses and individuals are using cloud computing in a variety of unique and exciting ways. The 2021 Cloud Infrastructure Report from cloud management company CloudCheckr revealed that nearly 60 percent of the 304 IT and business stakeholders surveyed said that more than half of their infrastructure is already in the clouds.
The most prominent cloud companies are large companies such as Amazon (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft (Azure), Apple (iCloud), and Google (Google Drive), but there are also many other players, big and small.
What are cloud companies?
Cloud companies, sometimes called cloud service providers (CSPs), provide services or applications in the cloud. They host infrastructure and data centers that allow customers to access and use information in a flexible, manageable and cost-effective way. Customers can easily access their cloud data over any internet connection.
Among the most common cloud computing tools that people may encounter at work and in their daily lives are cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox, streaming movies and music, and backups of iPhones and other mobile devices.
In addition to the examples already covered, here is a quick look at some key areas of application.
Cloud computing resources
- Communication and collaboration
- Streaming media
- Big data analytics and insights
- Streamline business processes
- Storage backups and data recovery
Communication and collaboration
All Google apps are cloud-based, from Calendar to Google Chat. In addition, there are also popular applications such as Zoom and WhatsApp, all of which enable people to communicate and collaborate around the world.
Entertainment
The combination of cloud computing and improved Internet speeds has given rise to streaming media giants such as Netflix and Hulu, which run multiple networks of movies and TV shows. available in the cloud. Cloud storage helps these companies and others like Spotify and Tidal.
Big data analytics
Before the cloud, using big data to gather patterns and insights was a difficult and expensive process. The cloud has changed all that, eliminating the need for in-house development tools when collecting and analyzing data. These days, companies can collect data from various sources, connect it to the cloud and search for real-time information.
Business Process
Without the cloud, there would be no new tools like Salesforce, Slack, and many others designed to improve and simplify the daily operations of businesses.
Storage backups
Cloud computing is an important answer to the problem of data loss and recovery on physical hard drives. Many computer owners have experienced the stress of losing files that cannot be deleted. Whether it’s a research paper, family photos, or company records, cloud storage offers an easy-to-use solution for keeping data safe.
