Cloud Computing

Cloud computing Cloud computing What is the Cloud & Cloud Computing Cloud computing and storage techniques and technology have revolutionised the approach to IT and how it is deployed. Cloud computing Infrastructure-as-a-Service (laaS): The Infrastructure-as-a-Service (laaS) form of cloud technology refers to the use of the hardware building blocks of computing namely physical or virtual servers, storage and networking. These services are rented as required and used remotely over a wide area network which is typically the Internet. This is form of cloud service is very attractive to organisations that may have variable requirements for hardware or may not want to run and maintain them themselves. It does however sometimes require a a level of technical expertise to implement the use of the remote cloud services dependent upon what is actually needed. Cloud computing Infrastructure-as-a-Service (laaS): One common use of these cloud services is the use of cloud web servers that can be used to deliver content. A company may not want to own its own servers, but rely on a hosting company with its own servers and expertise. Normally these services are relatively straightforward to access and operate. Cloud computing Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): This form of cloud computing service can often be considered as the next layer up. It includes not only the hardware including the storage, servers and networking capability, but it will also include tools and software needed to build applications, etc. Cloud computing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): This form of cloud service is becoming increasingly popular both for home and business use. It entails the use of a software package remotely, often using a web browser. The user is able to use the software package from their computer, and any suitable device by logging into their account. The application is run on the cloud services server and data is stored securely there. This type of cloud service is useful because payments are often monthly and on a per user or per seat basis, and can be used for as long or as short a period of time as is needed. Also updates are implemented on the cloud system and in this way new updates do not need to be bought or downloaded onto the end user system. Cloud computing Cloud computing deployment models There are several different ways in which cloud computing services can be deployed. It is often useful to define and describe the different types of cloud services deployment methods: Cloud computing Cloud computing deployment models Public cloud: The public cloud model is probably the most widely thought of model for deployment. Using this mode, users can access a large pool of computing power over the internet for all types of cloud services including laaS, PaaS, or SaaS. The advantage of the public cloud services deployment model is that the cloud computing suppliers have colossal resources at their disposal and these are shared out between a very large number of customers. This means that if one customer has a sudden increase in their requirement, this can easily be met by the cloud service as they will have sufficient spare capacity. The margin the cloud service providers can give will be significantly above the step demand change of a user which will be comparatively small. Cloud computing Cloud computing deployment models Private cloud: Private cloud services as somewhat different to those of the public could services in that the private cloud will offer its services only to users of that company or organisation - the cloud services will be contained behind a firewall, and in this way the security concerns can be overcome and data held within the confines of the company's infrastructure. The private cloud will be set to operate in a similar way to that of a public cloud and can provide services of laaS, PaaS, or SaaS.