What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is an umbrella term for any IT resource (server, database, networking, etc.) that the consumer uses over the Internet. The end-user outsources ready-made resources and accesses them online instead of relying on local infrastructure. Other (far less popular) names for the cloud are utility computing and on-demand computing.
Which Are The Reasons Behind To Use Cloud Services?
- Relying on the cloud removes the need to set up and maintain an expensive on-site data center.
- Cloud resources enable a business to quickly and cheaply build a custom IT environment that perfectly fits their requirements.
- You can access cloud-based data from anywhere and on any device as long as you have an Internet connection.
- The cloud offers performance and high-availability levels that are unrealistic for most companies.
- Cloud resources scale alongside IT needs. You can instantly add more computing resources whenever necessary. The same works in reverse: once the demand returns to normal, you scale capacity down and ensure there's no needless spending.
- Using the cloud gives continuous access to cutting-edge tech as major providers always stay at the forefront of the latest industry standards.
History of Cloud Computing
- In the early 1950s, organizations started using computers but found it too expensive to buy a device for each department. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, companies began to use large mainframe computers and a process called time-sharing.
- Time-sharing enabled more efficient use of processor time. Users would access instances of computing mainframes at the same time, which maximized processing power. The idea behind time-sharing is the foundation of modern cloud computing.
- In 1969, J.C.R. Licklider pushed the concept of on-demand computing to the next level. Licklider created the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, a precursor to the Internet that connected computers across the US and enabled users to access data from remote locations.
- The first virtual machine (VM) in the 1970s was another big step. VMs enabled us to run multiple systems within a single physical device, a concept that had a massive impact on the progress of cloud computing.
- In the 1980s, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft further advanced online services.
- By the late 1990s and early 2000s, industry giants were providing services over the Internet (primarily downloadable software and online file storage).
- In 1999, Salesforce became the first company to deliver a business app from a website.
- In 2006, Amazon launched AWS, the first cloud service like the ones we have today. Following suit, other major tech players also entered the market with their own cloud offerings.
Characteristics Of
Cloud Computing
- On-Demand, Self-Service
Provisioning: Consumers
spin up resources whenever they decide they need to make a change, and the
cloud updates automatically in minutes. There's no need to contact the provider
whenever the client wants to tweak the system.
- A Managed Service:
Unless you run an
in-house private cloud, using cloud resources is a managed IT service. The
consumer does not worry about maintaining hardware, keeping software up to
date, or managing the delivery network.
- Pay-As-You-Go Model:
A business typically
buys cloud services on a pay-as-you-go basis, similar to how you'd pay for
electricity. You buy as much (or as little) of service as you need.
- Ultimate Scalability
(both up and down): The
consumer can scale up resources as needs increase and scale down as demand
decreases. Adding and removing resources does not require a server restart, so
updating the infrastructure does not lead to downtime.
- Remote Access:
Users are able to
access their cloud-based data from wherever there's an Internet connection.
- Multi-Tenancy:
Every type of cloud
enables multiple tenants to share the same physical infrastructure. Depending
on the setup, the cloud is open to the general public or limited to users who
meet certain criteria (e.g., employees of a specific company).
- Switch
To Operational Expenses:
Working in the cloud means IT costs no longer fall under capital expenses.
Learn why this should excite you in our CapEx vs OpEx article.
- Workload
Resilience:
Creating redundant resources in a cloud environment is quick and
straightforward, so it's easy to prevent data loss. The system also quickly
recovers from disruptions (e.g., an attempt at a data breach or someone trying
to inject ransom ware).
Types
of Cloud Computing
There
are different types of clouds in terms of deployment and service models. Not
every option is a right fit for everyone, so knowing what each model offers is
vital to choosing a platform that leads to long-term success.
Types According to
Delivery Models
Let's
first look at the different types of cloud deployments. There are six options:
- Private cloud.
- Public cloud.
- Bare metal cloud (BMC)
- Virtual private cloud (VPC).
- Hybrid cloud.
- Community cloud.
- Multi-cloud.
Types According To Service Types
Every cloud computing service belongs in one of the four categories:
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
- Platform as a service (PaaS).
- Server less computing ((or function as a service (FaaS)).
- Software as a service (SaaS).
