Introduction to Cloud Computing

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. You typically pay only for cloud services you use, helping you lower your operating costs, run your infrastructure more efficiently, and scale as your business needs change.

Key Characteristics

Cloud computing is defined by five essential characteristics:

• On-demand self-service: A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically 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 client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations).
• Resource pooling: The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand.
• Rapid elasticity: Capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released, in some cases automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be appropriated in any quantity at any time.
• Measured service: Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Cloud Service Models

Cloud computing offers different models for services:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides the basic building blocks for cloud IT. It typically provides access to networking features, computer resources (virtual or dedicated hardware), and storage space. IaaS provides the highest level of flexibility and management control over IT resources and is similar to existing on-premises technology management.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS removes the need for organizations to manage the underlying infrastructure (usually hardware and operating systems) and allows them to focus on the deployment and management of their applications. PaaS helps improve collaboration by providing an application development environment for developers.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is a method of delivering software applications over the Internet, on demand, typically on a subscription basis. Cloud providers host and manage the software application and underlying infrastructure and handle any maintenance, like software upgrades and security patching. Users connect to the application over the internet, usually with a web browser on their phone, tablet, or PC.

Cloud Deployment Models

Cloud computing also offers different deployment models:

• Public Cloud: Owned and operated by third-party cloud service providers, delivering computing resources over the Internet.
• Private Cloud: Computing resources used exclusively by a single business or organization.
• Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds, bound together by technology that allows data and applications to be shared between them.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Adopting cloud computing can bring numerous advantages:

• Cost Savings: Pay only for what you use.
• Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down.
• Flexibility: Access services from anywhere.
• Reliability: High availability and disaster recovery.
• Performance: Access to cutting-edge technology.