Cloud Computing – A Practical Guide

By Glen Liccketto 2 years ago

Introduction

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. Cloud computing involves storage and other resources being provided by a third party over a network such as the Internet. It is very useful for businesses and individuals who want to use software or applications without having to buy their own computer hardware, installation or maintenance costs.

Cloud Computing, Scalability And Elasticity

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics:

  • On-demand self-service – A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities as needed without requiring human interaction with each service provider.
  • Broad network access – Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick clients (e.g., mobile phones).

Benefits of Cloud Computing

  • Cost savings

Cloud computing offers a number of cost benefits, including:

  • The ability to pay only for what you use. With cloud computing, you only pay for resources when they’re used and not when they’re idle. This means that you don’t have to worry about investing in additional equipment or software licenses just in case it could be needed at some point in the future; if it isn’t needed now, then there’s no need to keep paying for it!
  • Lower maintenance costs because there are fewer systems that need maintaining (since everything is hosted in one location). In addition, since all of your data is stored on secure servers controlled by professionals who know how best to protect sensitive information from hackers or other threats like natural disasters or power failures (as opposed to having multiple locations where this could happen), there should be less downtime over time due simply

to wear-and-tear on hardware components such as hard drives which may fail from being constantly accessed by many different people throughout an organization each day.”

Key Issues in Cloud Computing

The key issues in cloud computing are privacy, security and compliance; costs; data portability; performance and scalability; interoperability; network connectivity; power and cooling.

The following are some of the most common concerns around these areas:

  • Privacy – Data is stored on remote servers, which may be located in countries with different laws than your own. This can lead to a breach of personal information which may not be protected by law or even available for redress if it happens outside your jurisdiction.
  • Security – You need to trust that companies providing services will keep your data safe from hackers or other malicious attacks (e.g., phishing). If they don’t do this properly then they could lose control over sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details which could then be used fraudulently by unauthorized third parties!

Cloud Computing Architecture Types

  • Private Cloud: A private cloud is a collection of resources that are dedicated to an individual organization. It’s hosted on-premises and operated by that company, which means it doesn’t have to share any of its resources with other organizations or the public at large.
  • Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a combination of two or more clouds that work together to provide seamless access to applications and data across multiple locations, including both on-premises systems and third-party providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. The idea behind this type of architecture is that companies can take advantage of what each type offers while also keeping sensitive information safe from prying eyes outside their control–a win-win situation!

Cloud Service Models

  • SaaS (Software as a Service)
  • PaaS (Platform as a Service)
  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Cloud service models are the most popular ways of delivering cloud computing. Each model has its own pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for in your business or project.

Cloud Service Delivery Model & Security Measures

Cloud security is a concern for organizations that are considering cloud computing. Cloud service providers have been able to provide a secure environment, but there are still risks involved with this type of technology. Organizations need to ensure that they have the right policies and procedures in place so they can remain compliant with industry regulations, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA.

Cloud Computing Security Concerns:

  • Data encryption at rest and in transit
  • Access control lists (ACLs) to manage who has access to specific resources
  • Identity management systems that provision accounts based on user roles

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing offers many advantages. It’s a great tool for many uses, including:

  • Offering flexibility and scalability for your business. Cloud computing allows you to easily scale up or down your computing resources as needed, without having to purchase additional machines or software licenses. This can be especially useful in situations where demand varies over time–for example, if an e-commerce site sees more traffic during certain seasons of the year (like back-to-school shopping).
  • Saving money on hardware costs by using virtualized servers instead of stand-alone machines that require costly maintenance contracts; these savings can often offset the cost of cloud services themselves within two years.* Reducing energy consumption through centralization and data center consolidation; this helps businesses comply with environmental standards set forth by governments around the world while also saving them money on power bills.* Streamlining IT operations through automation tools such as DevOps

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed learning about cloud computing. Cloud computing is the future of technology, and it will change the way we do business forever. We hope this guide has given you some insight into what cloud computing is all about and how it works so that when someone asks “what is cloud computing?” You can answer with confidence!