A Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Computing

The term cloud computing has been trending for a while now. You also may have come across some articles on the internet that mention this term. 

 

But do you get what they are referring to? Or do you also get confused when you hear this term?

 

Beginning with the history of cloud computing, the concept of computing as a service has been around since the 1960s, when the computer authority enabled enterprises to lease time on management instead of buying one for themselves. 

 

However, cloud computing as a term came into use in the early 2000s and has been around since then. 

 

By the time when time-sharing services were engulfed by the emergence of personal computers and it led to possessing a computer much more affordable, the development of joint data centers where companies used to collect a massive amount of data started to take place.  

 

Later on, many renting computer access services such as utility computing, application service providers, grid computing reshaped themselves until cloud computing ceased. 

 

With the evolution of software as a service (saas), cloud computing providers like Amazon Web Services(AWS) got hyper-scaled.     

 

What exactly is Cloud Computing? 

 

“Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the Internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services, such as computing power, storage, and databases, on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS).”

- Amazon web services

 

In accordance with the above definition, cloud computing allows users to approach technology services like computing power, storage, and databases, in the terms of pay-as-you-go pricing from a cloud provider such as AWS, in place of purchasing, owning, and controlling substantial data centers and servers. 

 

Talking of AWS, you can also go through our blog on AWS Machine Learning University

 

In simpler words, Cloud computing is a form of outsourcing of software, data storage, and processing. It is the delivery of different technology services through the internet. 

 

Consumers can access applications and files via sign up from any device that exhibits an internet connection. 

 

With cloud computing, software, and computing services are subscription-based, users can pay a monthly fee in lieu of purchasing licenses. 

 

These software and corresponding platforms are upgraded repeatedly and controlled by the providers for high efficiency and protection. 

 

For example, Google's Gmail is a cloud computing provider. Gmail users may browse and open files and applications hosted by Google through the internet-connection, from any device.

 

Outside bodies introduce information and programs and locate on a worldwide network of safe data centers rather than on a user’s hard drive. 

 

It redeems processing power, simplifies sharing and association, and approves secure mobile access despite where the user is or which device is being used.

 

To understand it in more detail, watch the video below:

 

 

5 Features of Cloud Computing

 

 

All the cloud environment embrace the following key features: 

 

1. On-demand service: Cloud users may sign up, pay, and initiate deploying cloud resources immediately on their own without the help of the sales agent.  

 

2. Measured services: Users can pay charges for the resources they use for a given period of time, instead of paying for hardware and software directly. 

 

3. Swift elasticity or extension: Cloud users can quickly measure their usage of resources more or less as per the requirement shifts.

 

4. Wide network access: Users can access cloud services through the internet very easily and quickly.     

 

5. Resource league: Different users either individuals, organizations, or various departments within an organization all can implement the same servers, storage, and other computing resources.

 

10 benefits of Cloud computing 

 

Cloud computing offers some key benefits that make it an ever-sought-technology of the decade and among the most used technologies in business. 

 

Below are the seven benefits that flourish cloud computing more efficiently: 

 

1. Cost

 

It removes the expense of purchasing hardware and software and constructs and maintains on-site data centers like the work-frame of servers, continuous electricity for power and cooling, IT experts for regulating the infrastructure. 

 

2. Speed

 

Most of the services under cloud computing are offering self-service and on-demand, so indeed the huge number of computing resources might be conducted in a few minutes. It delivers businesses much flexibility and takes a burden away from quantity preparation.

 

3. Security

 

Several cloud providers come with multiple sets of policies, technologies, and management to power security systems entirely, it helps in securing data, apps, and infrastructure from promising perils.

 

4. Efficiency 

 

Cloud computing services execute over a worldwide secure network of data centers that are upgraded systematically to the most recent production of quick and powerful computing hardware that leads to multiple benefits on a sole allied data center, including a reduction in network disconnection for applications.

    

5. Worldwide scale

 

 Cloud computing service has the capability to extent elastically, i.e to deliver the right quantity of IT resources. For instance, providing approximate computing power, cache, bandwidth at the correct time when required, and from the well geographic location.

 

6. Authenticity

 

Cloud computing prepares data backup, setback restoration, and business continuum smooth, and less extravagant as data can be reflected at various unnecessary sites at the cloud provider’s network.

 

7. Productivity

 

On-site datacenters demand enough frameworks like setting up hardware, software chunks, and other time-consuming tasks IT management. Instead, cloud computing eliminates many of such tasks so that IT teams may invest time and effort in achieving crucial business targets.

 

8. Disaster Recovery

 

While there is no way to prevent or even anticipate a disaster, there are ways you can recover from the disasters. Cloud-based services provide data recovery in all possible scenarios of disaster, be it natural disaster or something technical like power outages. 

 

9. Automatic Software Updates

 

In times of fierce competition, no organization would want their process to be halted because of outdated software and having to wait for system updates to be installed. Cloud-based applications automatically refresh themselves from time to time, putting away the need for manual intervention. 

 

This saves valuable IT staff time and money that is spent on outside IT consultation when a major problem occurs. Basically, it keeps away the need for what IT does. 

 

10. Sustainability 

 

Given the climate changes taking place across the globe, the sustainable use of resources is a must. 

 

Cloud infrastructures support environmental proactivity, powering virtual services neglecting the need to manage physical products and hardware, and cutting down on paper waste, improving energy efficiency, and (given that it allows employees access from anywhere with an internet connection) reducing computer-related emissions.

 

Types of Cloud Computing

 

Numerous models of cloud computing, types, and services have emerged to provide favorable results for individual demands. 

 

So, not all the clouds are identical and types of cloud computing differ for everyone.  

 

First of all, one should identify the type of cloud computing architecture or cloud deployment model on which cloud services will be implemented.

 

Basically, there are three types of cloud computing to deploy cloud services or, deployment models;

 

1. Public Cloud

 

Possessed and regulated by a third-party cloud service provider, the public cloud gives computing belonging such as storage and servers over the internet, for example, Microsoft Azure. 

 

Cloud provider retains and operates all the hardware, software, and another upholding infrastructure with the public cloud. A web browser can be used to approach these services and control individual accounts.

 

2. Private Cloud

 

If an organization or a single business is willing to use cloud computing resources entirely, then a private cloud is chosen.  

 

It can be placed physically on-site at the company's data centers. Even though few organizations also disburse third-party service providers to address their private cloud. 

 

In a private cloud, services and infrastructure are managed by a private system. 

 

3. Hybrid Cloud  

 

A combination of public and private clouds driven by technology, i.e. hybrid clouds that permit data and relevant applications to be shared among them.

A hybrid cloud can deliver huge flexibility, more adaptability, and implementation benefits, and assist one in optimizing current infrastructure, protection, and conformity by enabling data and application to shift among public and private clouds.     

---

Types of cloud computing and cloud services

---

Types Of Cloud Services: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS

 

Cloud computing is a system that predominantly consists of three services:

 

1. Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

 

SaaS consists of the licensure of a software application to users. 

 

Basically, it gives software applications over the internet on-demand and on a subscription basis. For example, services provided by Microsoft Office 365.

 

With SaaS, cloud providers present and control the software application and fundamental infrastructure and manage maintenance like any software update and prevention area. Users can connect to the application through a web browser on their mobiles, PC, or tablet over the internet. 

 

2. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS)

 

PaaS offers the environment on-demand to expand, examine, provide, and handle software applications. 

 

It is basically a platform for making quick web or mobile apps that are provided by the internet without considering handing the elemental infrastructure of servers, storage, database, and network required for the development.  For example, platforms like Force.com and Heroku.

 

3. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS)

 

IaaS delivers everything from operating systems and networks to servers, virtual machines, and storage via IP connectivity in terms of on-demand services.  

 

For example, IBM Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Users may evade buying software or servers and obtain these assets by outsourced, on-demand service

    

 

Conclusion

 

Cloud computing is an essential system in order to deliver business applications. It is an ideal approach for enterprises to develop their infrastructure or introducing the latest innovations. 

 

We have taken a deep overview of cloud computing that includes its characteristics and services, benefits, types, and working. 

 

To end this blog, I would recommend you to follow the Analytics Step for consistent learning.