A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING CLOUD COMPUTING
Cloud Computing is a buzzword technology gaining immense popularity and demand in the information technology industry nowadays. It is a group or network of virtual remote data servers that store and retrieve unlimited space of data worldwide.
Many leading organizations have set up their remote cloud server spaces for data storage. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are entirely cloud-based and rely less on physical server networks to keep their valuable data and information.
The basic definition of cloud describes its virtual existence beyond the physical territory of computer hard drive and server networks. It is a distant, located free and on-demand data platform that operates on the internet, manages data, delivers content, and runs several online applications. Cloud is a worldwide network of servers located at different places and retrieves data and information from any device. The email services, Netflix, YouTube, social media, and workspace productivity software applications are all cloud.
Cloud Computing delivers faster computing services to servers, databases, networking, and storage devices. It offers flexible resources and reduces the operating costs of businesses. Cloud virtualization has revolutionized traditional IT infrastructure and data centers.
Companies shift their data to the cloud for better security, privacy, efficiency, and productivity of business operations. The integration of cloud with artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) make it a robust platform for data computation, storage, networking, analytics, and backup support.
TYPES AND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE MODELS OF CLOUD COMPUTING
Here are essential kinds and service infrastructure models of cloud computing:
Public Cloud
It is operated and purchased by third-party cloud service providers. They deliver computing and server storage resources over the internet. The best examples of public cloud are Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services. These servers store and retrieve the massive amount of data on their free space and handle various projects. Due to availability to most users, they allow them to pay for a subscription of software and hardware applications instead of buying. The vendor is responsible for handling and managing maintenance, administration, backup support, IT troubleshooting, and storage capacity. Public clouds can also be utilized to protect data and access files on business cloud services.
Private Cloud
A private cloud is a particular type of cloud computing that is used by in-house businesses. It is on-premise and off-premise and ensures complete privacy and security of an organization.
Many companies use a third-party private cloud network for their email and data storage. They experience a personalize use of data and information resources within a company and do not share their physical hardware and cloud space with anyone outside the organization.
It depends on a company’s choice to host its private cloud server on the remote and on-site location. The domain and server infrastructure can only be accessible to a few selected users and partners. It is designed to fulfill a company’s needs and requirements and offers robust cloud services to customers.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud is a mutual combination of public and private cloud networks. It interacts with business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) customers. The hybrid cloud allows data and application to be shared on multiple cloud platforms.
The private cloud stores and retrieves information and interacts with clients, while the public cloud executes less critical tasks. It optimizes cloud infrastructure and combines both cloud servers’ features and provides more flexibility, security, and privacy to businesses.
Service Infrastructure Models of Cloud Computing
Here are three primary service infrastructure models of cloud computing:
Software as a Service (SAAS)
Software as a Service is the biggest cloud platform consists of delivering licensed software applications to users. It provides on-demand and subscription-based software applications over the internet, such as Microsoft office 365. SAAS enables users to download the cloud drive and access the data and information wherever it is stored on the internet. It saves computer memory and allows users to connect to the software application through web browsers, smartphones, or tablets. The software, as a service cloud platform, manages the physical IT infrastructure and provides maintenance or software application updates.
Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) is a cloud service model based on renting your IT infrastructure. It includes your data storage servers, operating systems, networks, and virtual cloud machines.
It offers essential computing services that require a very high level of IT skills or expertise. IAAS is ideal for technology-based companies with exceptional IT training. Infrastructure as a Service comprises a network of servers with massive data storage space to access for users.
Platform as a Service (PAAS)
Platform as a service (PAAS) refers to an on-demand cloud computing service environment for developers. It allows them to test, develop, deliver, and manage high-quality software applications. Platform as a Service makes it easier for web developers to build web or mobile apps. It does not require setting up server infrastructure, data storage networks, and databases for development.
Companies can use the platform as a service to create their web and mobile software applications. They can also integrate software applications in their business, such as Java, Dot Net, and Python. Using Paas reduces the need for installing hardware and software maintenance. It allows users to deploy the application on cloud servers and run their applications on any device.
Function as a Service (FAAS)
Function as a Service (FAAS) is a serverless cloud computing platform that eliminates the need for physically managing servers and executing your code. It carries out specific functions and focuses on building superior quality app functionality without managing servers and IT infrastructure.
The FAAS cloud manages the virtual server setup and plans storage capacity for your specific business needs. It uses a scalable and flexible serverless architecture depends on the triggers of a function. The use of serverless computing is ideal in DevOps, machine language, artificial intelligence, database and analytics, messaging, and smart assistant chatbot devices.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing offers several benefits to its users. It includes ease of accessibility, saving disk space, cutting down IT costs, software on demand, and agility. Here is a few of them in detail:
Ease of Accessibility
It is an excellent benefit of cloud computing that allows users to access, share, store, and retrieve their data anytime they need. Cloud computing does not require any physical location, and you need to have an internet connection and transfer your data file from any virtual and remote location in the world.
Saving Disk Space
In a traditional workplace IT infrastructure, disk space can be limited. Even physical servers are not be fully equipped to provide bulk storage of data and information. Using a cloud service gives you a remarkable advantage of unlimited free space. It has the enormous storage capacity to store data and save your hard disk and computer system.
Cutting down IT Costs
Many companies pay a considerable amount of money on setting up IT infrastructure and maintaining servers and networks. Businesses cost higher on managing in-house software applications and consume plenty of time, money, and resources. Cloud computing enables companies to outsource IT tasks to cut down additional costs and saves time.
Speed and Agility
Speed and agility are vital factors for cloud computing services. They decrease the time in deploying new IT resources and increase the performance of the organization. Cloud computing reduces the costs and expenditures of setting up IT infrastructure and requires a subscription to utilize its efficient services.
Flexible Capacity
Cloud computing is beneficial for delivering a flexible capacity of storage to users. It determines the organization’s infrastructure requirements and allows access to store and retrieve the amount of data they require for their business. It depends on companies to utilize the cloud computing space for short notice or long-term period.
Increased Productivity and Performance
Setting up local data center storage involves plenty of hardware equipment and software processes. Companies configure hardware and install software that takes immense time, money, and professional skilled IT resources. Cloud computing offers all of these services in a free subscription to enhance business organizations’ productivity and performance. It allows the company to reduce operating costs and increase profit and return on investment.
Security and Privacy
Many small and large scale organizations have a concern for the security and privacy of data. Cloud computing is the best platform for businesses to protect their valuable data. It provides free remote space capacity to store essential documents and files and share and retrieve information. Data theft can easily be reduced. Companies can access data at any time they need.
Conclusion
Hence, in a nutshell, these above-mentioned factors provide a beginner’s guide to understanding cloud computing. Cloud Computing is an essential element in the present technological era; it offers innovation and protects a business from all financial hassles. It increases the productivity growth of business with the efficiency of task operations and ensures data privacy and safety. The rising trend of cloud computing will gradually eliminate the need for physical IT infrastructure and deliver efficient backup data support for all businesses.
