You can access the data or programs stored on the Internet from anywhere. Due to its many features, Cloud Computing is one of the most popular technologies nowadays and its use is also increasing rapidly. Maybe, knowingly or unknowingly you are also using a cloud-based application. Overall, cloud computing is slowly reaching us.
What is Cloud Computing?
The delivery of computing services through the Internet is called Cloud Computing. These services include computing resources such as networking, data storage, servers, databases and software. In simple language, if you access the data by storing it on cloud-based storage instead of local storage device, then it will be called cloud computing.
When we store data in the storage of the local computer, we have to depend on the computer to access and manage it. Rather, on the contrary, in cloud computing, we can use data and resources from anywhere. Companies providing cloud services store the user's files and applications on remote servers. After which the users can access those resources through the internet.
Overall cloud computing is a great option for the modern era. Although cloud computing is not limited to storing your data. We divide cloud services into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-service (SaaS).
Examples of cloud computing:
Try to understand cloud computing with the following examples –
1) Google drive, Dropbox, Gmail and Facebook etc. There are good examples of cloud computing. It gives us unlimited storage. On which we can store our data as well as access or manage it through internet.
2) Cloud computing is also used well in the field of education. Nowadays most of the students are liking E-learning a lot. In which software like Byju's helps you to access teaching resources online.
3) Governments also use cloud computing. They provide e-governance services to citizens using cloud-based IT services.
4) Messenger application is also an example of cloud computing. The messages sent and received by us are stored in the cloud space by the service provider.
6) Salesforce, Hubspot and Adobe marketing cloud are also examples of this. They are used in the field of business, which includes managing business resources and providing them security.
7) To host the website or application in a cloud server, we buy these servers from cloud service providers like DigitalOcean. This is also an example of Cloud Computing.
Uses of Cloud Computing
We all use cloud computing in our daily life knowingly or unknowingly. Apart from this, from small start-ups to global corporations, from government agencies to non-profit organizations, we are using Cloud Computing for one reason or the other. Some of the major uses are explained in detail below.
File storage – Normal users use cloud computing to store, manage and share their files in a remotely hosted system. Google Drive or Dropbox are good examples of this.
Website Hosting – For those website owners who want to avoid the hassle of hosting and maintaining a website, cloud-based web hosting is a great option for them. In addition to hosting your website, cloud hosting providers also provide their computing resources. It gives security to your website and also takes responsibility for its maintenance.
Test and Development – Cloud computing also plays a good role in the testing and development of any software and network. Cloud services help to check whether your software is running smoothly or there is no error in it.
Backup and Recovery - Even today many businesses and organizations take backup of their data manually in a storage device, while it is not very effective. With cloud-based backup, you can easily back up your data. It is also easy to recover data in this way.
Cloud database – Every business needs a database. But for this you will spend a lot of money and at the same time you will also need an expert. In contrast, Cloud database is a great option. The cloud service provider will not only provide you support but will also take care of the maintenance and operation of the database.
Big data analytics – Big data is also data, but with a huge size. In short, this type of data is so large and complex, that no traditional data management tool is able to store or process it efficiently. Cloud computing helps in storing and analyzing such data.
Types of Cloud Computing
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is one of the most basic cloud services category. This is a cloud computing model, where virtualized infrastructure is offered and managed for businesses by an external cloud provider. Under this, companies can outsource storage, server, data center space and cloud networking components through the Internet. IaaS as a Service gives you the highest level of management control and flexibility over your IT resources.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS refers to the supply of an on-demand environment for the development, testing, delivery and management of software applications. As a service it meets the requirements of resources procurement, capacity planning, software maintenance, patching or any other requirement of running your software application. PaaS is designed to be a web or mobile application.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS, as a pay-per-use model, provides users with software applications such as E-mail, Adobe and Google G Suite etc. allows access to the Internet. That is, you do not need to install any software on your device to use it. While using the software, you do not even need to think about its back-end process.
Its types based on Cloud Deployment:
Public Cloud
SaaS services come under the public cloud, whose deployment is globally. These services are available to all users. Users can access the Services through the Internet. You will have to pay according to the amount you use these services. However, despite high reliability, low cost, zero maintenance and on-demand scalability, it still carries a high security risk. That is, it is not suitable for critical activities.
Private Cloud
As the name suggests, it is not for public use. That is, any large company or organization that wants to build and manage its own data center can use private cloud services. Under this, companies get more improvement in high security, customization, scalability and flexibility. But it is more expensive than the public cloud.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud. Under this, you can use the cloud according to your need. That is, you can keep the important application in the private cloud and you can use the public cloud for the secondary application.
Features of Cloud Computing –
Some of the features of Cloud Computing are as follows:
Resources Availability: Cloud computing is designed for many customers. That is, every user has access to the resources. All this is done through the multi-tenant model. Users can modify physical and virtual resources according to their demand. We also call this resource pooling, because in this, resources are pulled to reach services to many users.
On-Demand Self Service: The user can use computing resources as per his requirement. If it needs instance resources like – storage space, database, virtual machine etc. So he can use them without requesting from the service provider.
Broad Network Access: Cloud computing resources are present all over the Internet and can be used very easily. A user needs a device and an internet connection to access the resources.
Easy Maintenance and Low Downtime: Server maintenance is very easy. Server downtime is also very less, in some cases the downtime is negligible. The reason for this is to update cloud computing frequently, due to which the old shortcomings are corrected.
Elasticity: Companies can easily increase the resources to increase their capabilities. If there is no need, then they can also be reduced. Overall, cloud computing has the ability to organize resources.
Pay as you go: The user pays only for the time he used the resources. That is, no extra charge is taken.
Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud computing
Cloud Computing Pros:
Using cloud computing saves your cost, because now you do not need to invest on costly systems or any other infrastructure.
Cloud services are very easy to access. Users can avail services with the help of computing device and internet.
Companies can store their data at a centralized location, which makes it easy to control data.
There is a facility of automatic data backup under cloud computing. That is, you do not have any risk of your hard drive crashing or data being erased.
Most of the cloud services provide free and secure huge storage space to the user to store the data.
Cloud Computing Cons:
Cloud computing is completely dependent on the Internet. This is beneficial as well as harmful for a business. When the internet connectivity of the cloud service provider is lost, your business gets stalled for that time.
It is not right to rely solely on the cloud service provider for the privacy and security of your important data. This is the reason, it is important to choose a reliable service provider.
The Internet is not completely secure, there is always a risk of cyber attack in it. That's why you always need to be alert.
Data management under the cloud is a headache, as the cloud storage system has its own structure. So its a bit difficult to match with your system.
Due to the IT resources being in a remote server, the user using cloud computing has minimal control over the functions of software and hardware.
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