Cloud Computing
From wsuwiki
Cloud Computing, the process of using servers as a main source of processing power for computer programs. Cloud computing refers to the idea of the internet being a median for software. with the word cloud being an iteration to the internet, and computing refering to the processing that is being done on servers. So the basis is that the processing of word documents, videos, music, and other programs is being done on a server and being transmitted over the internet to another device.
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Definition
Definition - Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flow charts and diagrams.[1]
Overview
Cloud Computing is internet based programs designed to run through browsers onto local computers. The idea of cloud computing is that programs and features that have been run through software on computers will instead be run on servers. Allowing users access to the information from any computer other than just their own personal computer. Servers will be the host, being availbe and turned on at all times. Cloud Computing is beneficial for all parties, large and small companies have reduced expenditures in large IT departments and the costs that are incurred by the servers. Upkeep, upgrading, and scaling are all eliminated on the users end and is passed on to the provider.[2]
By centralizing server processing power and storage into one location you can maximize efficiency and allocate resources to better the internet as a whole. For instance if you have a file share website and a blogging website on the same server, you can divert processing power from the blogging website to the file share to increase performance there. Thereby improving performance for a companies website.
(IaaS) Infrastructure-as-a-Service
Cloud Service is different from a lot of other utitliy type services. It is usually sold by the minute, or amount of time used. Yet the limit to how much information is transfered is elastic and is not managed. For instance Amazon Web Services provide individual IP addresses and varying amounts of storage space which is all on demand to the user. Interaction with an IaaS service usually is through an API or Application Programming interface. Using such a system allows a company to use only as much space and processing power as they require, and instantly bring, as demanded, more as required.
(PaaS) Platform-as-a-Service
In the cloud Platform Service is defined as a set of software and product development tools hosted on the provider's infrastructure. This is to include API, Portal, and Gateway. All of these are platforms for use in industry. It allows companies to stick their products, or their programs onto the web for use. Examples of PaaS are Force.com (an outgrowth of Salesforce.com) and GoogleApps. GoogleApps is a service from Google for using custom domain names with several Google products. It features several Web applications with similar functionality to traditional office suites, including: Gmail, Google Calendar, Talk, Docs and Sites. [3]
(SaaS) Software-as-a-Service
In Software as a Service the vendor supplies the hardware infrastructure, the software product and interacts with the user through a front-end portal. SaaS is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. Software Service is the broadest market of the three. It allows for the everyday user to access Apps and information. It does not require a person to host or pay money for a service. SaaS is a by-product of PaaS and IaaS, combining the two creates SaaS, and that is the end goal. To provide a service to customers. Companies buy infrastructure to use as a platform to provide software as a service. That is the goal of Cloud Computing, providing the applications and uses of the web remotely and with ease.
Key Characteristics
Advantages include[4]
- Agility - allows users the ability to use a centralized system that allows for remote access. Improving efficiency overall of the the central computer and localized servers.
- Cost - is a reduce in the capital expenditure of both the common computer user, and large corporations. Large hard drives and servers are not needed, and the cost of them is elimnated because other companies are paying for the cost themselves.
- Device and Location Independence - is reference to things more than just personal computers. Cloud Computing allows devices such as smart phones to have a hard drive capacity much larger than what it actually has. With the information stored elsewhere it is able to access it at any time and execute the program from any location. This applies to phones, laptops, computers as well.
- Accessibility - and offer ability is used to share documents remotely. Not being stored on a computer, but a server, a document can be accessed and edited remotely at any time. Other programs are included as well; video editing, music software, and the list goes on.
- Reliable - being backed off source, and have remote access the reliablilty and safety of information allows for safe and secure storage of information. Servers being backed with multiple redundant systems allows for very few is every any loss of service.
References
1. IT Pro Marketer[5]
2. Discover Magazine[6]
3. Wikipedia[7]
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service[8] - Platform-as-a-Service[9] - Software-as-a-Service[10]
4. Cloud Computing[11]
5. Google Apps[12]
4. TechTarget[13]