Importance of Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing, also known as on-demand computing, is a kind of internet-based computing, where shared resources and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. It is a model for enabling ubiquitous, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. Cloud computing and storage solutions provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data centers. It relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale, similar to a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network. At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader concept of converged infrastructure and shared services.
In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. The cloud is just a metaphor for the Internet. It goes back to the days of flowcharts and presentations that would represent the gigantic server-farm infrastructure of the Internet as nothing but a puffy, white cumulonimbus cloud, accepting connections and doling out information as it floats.
Why cloud computing?
Clouds can provide users with a number of different benefits.
Many businesses large and small use cloud computing today either directly (e.g. Google or Amazon) or indirectly (e.g. Twitter) instead of traditional on-site alternatives. There are a number of reasons why cloud computing is so widely used among businesses today.
Reduction of costs: unlike on-site hosting the price of deploying applications in the cloud can be less due to lower hardware costs from more effective use of physical resources.
Universal access: cloud computing can allow remotely located employees to access applications and work via the internet.
Up to date software: a cloud provider will also be able to upgrade software keeping in mind feedback from previous software releases.
Choice of applications: This allows flexibility for cloud users to experiment and choose the best option for their needs. Cloud computing also allows a business to use, access and pay only for what they use, with a fast implementation time
Potential to be greener and more economical: the average amount of energy needed for a computational action carried out in the cloud is far less than the average amount for an on-site deployment. This is because different organisations can share the same physical resources securely, leading to more efficient use of the shared resources.
Flexibility: cloud computing allows users to switch applications easily and rapidly, using the one that suits their needs best. However, migrating data between applications can be an issue.
What will you learn ?
Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) – a text based communication protocol for sharing information between computers.
Latency-the time delay that a system experiences when processing a request.
Persistent local storage (PLS)-simulated, disk-like electronic storage for virtual machines used to preserve their work as the
VMs are de-allocated and later reallocated. This storage is not permanently bound to any
specific computer system.
Software as a Service (SaaS)-when a provider provides the capability for a consumer is to use the provider’s applications
running on a cloud infrastructure.
SWOT analysis-a strategic decision making process that considers the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats to some enterprise or organization.
Virtual machine (VM)-a software program that emulates a model of computer hardware. The computer can be
controlled through software instructions sent over a network.
Virtual machine sprawl-when VMs are created and allowed to persist even when unneeded. VM sprawl can inflate
costs and compromise security.
Virtual machine monitor (VMM)-also called the hypervisor. VMMs use hardware to synthesize one or more virtual
machines (VMs).
Guest operating system-an operating system running within a virtual machine.
Firewall-software and/or hardware that is used to control access and provide security between
a computer and a network.
Understand how these techniques work inside today’s most widely-used cloud computing systems. Get your hands dirty using these concepts and get a boost in your career with your competence in CLOUD.