Cloud computing involves accessing applications, storing data, and using computer resources over the internet through a web browser rather than on a local computer. The cloud contains servers, networks, and storage in physical data centers maintained by cloud service providers. Businesses can save money with cloud computing through lower upfront costs, scalability, reduced maintenance needs, and pay-as-you-go pricing models. Common cloud services include infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), software as a service (SaaS), email hosting, collaboration tools, backup storage, and more. While cloud computing provides benefits, it also carries risks related to internet reliability, legal agreements, security, and privacy.
Tried to make this high level for the non-IT people. There is still some geeky stuff in it So If you have any questions please ask.
If you want to distinguish between what is cloud computing and what is not, here’s a good role of thumb. If your alternative to whatever you are doing on the cloud app is to buy something – such as Microsoft Word instead of Google docs, or an external hard disk drive – or to do something such as hosting a website, a blog or a video channel on your own PC, then you’re using cloud computing. This is not to say that the cloud is free.
Unless you are using Google or some other free cloud service, you will have a Contract with the service provider outlining what support you will receive for your money.
This is the basis of a typical computer room. Database storage, networking equipment, application servers And a client who wants to access them somewhere. There is a lot more involved such as backup equipment and redundant hardware in case of disaster, security hardware and software, internet services, power supplies – batteries, generators,
nn-A new business can bypass the time and expense of building a server room, acquiring hardware -You pay for only what you use. So if you need more space, ram or memory, systems, they are available. FAST Also can downsize your operation. You can reduce the size of, and the equipment in, your server room, especially if you need bigger and faster equipment, just get it in the cloud -Reduce utility cost for air conditioning Cloud Service provider provides disaster recovery so you don’t need to have redundant equipment and backup hardware -A lot of virtualization is used, though virtualization does not a cloud make. Virtualization is running multiple virtual machines on a physical machine and providing each of the VMs access to the CPU (processor), memory and I/O resources Also, you can be using physical servers instead of VM’s -You can existing applications to the cloud in most circumstances though there is cloud applicable software available. There are special APIs, Application Programming interface and protocols -Physical security to buildings and networks are provided at the cloud facility. -Access to all your data from anywhere using multiple devices such as PCs, laptops, smart phones You can still access your servers using remote desktop as you would on site. The privileges of access are set both by the provider you choose and the contract you sign.
-You now hear advertizing about backing up your home computers on the network, Carbonite is one I hear often -Exchange server email is a good application for the Cloud, saving your email to folders on the cloud instead of your desktop You also can write into your contracts: -SaaS, Software as a Service, instead of obtaining desktop and server licenses for software products, you can host them in the cloud. The interface is usually through the browser. No upgrades or patches because the software is now managed centrally at the provider’s facility. HOWEVER, you still need to buy the necessary number of software licenses. -PaaS, Platform as a Service, provides a platform on which users can build their own applications and host them on the providers infrastructure. Vendors offering PaaS usually have their own Application Programming Interface (API) and a specific language that you need to write in. It is not easy to migrate existing applications to a PaaS environment. -IaaS, Infrastructure as a Service, provider offers you “raw” computing, storage and network infrastructure so that you can load your own software including operating systems and applications. This offers you the greatest degree of control Once again the hardware is supported elsewhere.
Salesforce, Office 365 (SharePoint) Many other software packages now have cloud versions
Without an internet connection you can not get to your applications and data Business concerned about the security of their databases could retain database servers in-house and still run the applications in the cloud. Sometimes business outsource their web front ends to a cloud provider and keep their applications and database servers internal to the enterprise There are some situations when cloud computing does not make sense. Regulations and legal considerations may dictate that you house, secure and control data in a specific location of geographical area
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