Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing

What is cloud computing?

In cloud computing, multiple servers, computers, or any computing device connected through network are used together to complete a given task. There is no need for the computing device or any other peripherals to be physically present.

Example of cloud computing :

Google email services. Here end user is only concerned with the email services provided by the google, and end users need not bother about the emails servers, network devices and storage devices put together to provide the email services. Now these required servers, network devices, storage devices etc can be scattered all across the globe but are configured together to provide one specific task.

Advantages of Cloud Computing:

In cloud computing, the actual goal is achieved using multiple devices over network and the devices are scattered across the network which reduces the dependency on any single location, or device and at the same time increases the computing power. End user can focus on its business goal without being concerned about how the infrastructure , the software has been installed and maintained. End user can pay only for that much which is used by him.

Challenges of Cloud Computing:

The level of control on the infrastructure lies in the service provider and end user has to bind  the level of control provided by the service providers. End user has no control over the version of the infrastructure or the software. End user has to follow the maintenance cycle of the service provider.

Security is a big concern in shared cloud environment. As we have gone through the pros and cons of cloud computing, now is the time to list out types of cloud computing environment.

On the basis of usage, cloud computing is divided into Public and Private cloud computing.

On the basis of type of service being provided cloud computing can be listed as of below types:

Software as a Service or commonly called as SAAS.

Infrastructure as a Service or commonly called as IAAS.

Platform as a Service or commonly called as PAAS.

Private Cloud Computing : When the complete infrastructure or the software or any other kind of service is used by only one consumer and it is not shared by any other user, this kind of  arrangement is called as Private Cloud Computing.

Public Cloud Computing : When the complete infrastructure of the software of any other kind of service can be used by multiple users then the arrangement is called as public cloud computing.

Platform as a Service : In PAAS , complete platform is provided as a service where which can be used by the end user.

Software as a Service: In SAAS, software services are provided as a service.

Infrastructure as a Service: In IAAS, Infrastructure like Physical host devices, network devices like routers, operating systems etc are provided as a service to be used by the end user.