Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a new technology in the field of computers. As many companies are already using this technology worldwide like Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud & IBM Cloud etc. But, the boom has come in this field with the recent news of Windows 365 and that too immediately after the Windows 11 launch which has forced the novice to think about this. So, let’s know, what is cloud computing & how it works?

WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

Cloud computing refers to the provision of many types of services such as data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software through the internet. Actually, the "cloud" is nothing but a symbol for the internet which basically provides various types of services online to companies and individuals on a subscription fee.

Cloud Computing naming is really great; it suits its name too. Just like the cloud, you can get the service anytime anywhere. 

Cloud Computing was invented in early 1960 by J.C.R Licklider (Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider), an American Psychologist and Computer Scientist.

Amazon is the first Company who had launched the first Cloud Service named AWS (Amazon Web Service) in the Year 2006. The companies that provide cloud services are called Cloud Service providers (CSP). 

HOW MANY TYPES OF CLOUDS ARE THERE? 

There are four types of clouds.

1-Public Cloud – Public clouds are operated by cloud service providers (CSP). They provide their resources like servers, networking & storage over the internet. Amazon AWS & Microsoft Azure is an example of public cloud.

2-Private Cloud – Private Clouds are dedicated clouds for a particular company or organization. It can be organized by the company’s own data centre or the cloud service providers (CSP) like AWS, Microsoft Azure etc.

3-Hybrid Cloud – Hybrid Cloud is the combination of both public and private cloud. It allows data and applications to be shared between them.

 

4-Community Cloud – The Community Cloud provides a system and services that are only accessible to a select number of organizations. A community cloud is a cloud infrastructure that allows a collection of companies to share information by accessing systems and services. 

HOW MANY TYPES OF CLOUD SERVICES ARE THERE? 

1-Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) - It provides virtual machines and storage to network architects. It requires technical knowledge. In other words Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model which provides on-demand computer, storage, and networking resources on a pay-as-you-go basis.

 IaaS MAIN FEATURES :

• Pay for on-demand services without having to buy infrastructure.

• Infrastructure is scalable.

• Data is more secure in the hands of Clouds (CSP)

• No costs for buying and maintaining hardware.

Examples of Iaas Service:  Digital Ocean, Amazon Web Service, Microsoft Azure & Google Compute Engine

2-Platform as a service (PaaS) –It allows developers to build applications and services over the internet. It is generally used by Developers. It provides a tool to developers for the development of any application or software.

PaaS MAIN FEATURES :

• Allows businesses to concentrate on innovation rather than fundamental infrastructure.

• Provides a platform for testing, developing, and hosting apps.

• Makes it easier for remote and in-house employees to collaborate.

• Operating systems, security, server software, and backups are all managed by cloud service providers.

Examples of Paas Service: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, Force.com & Google App Engine 

3-Software as a service (SaaS) – It allows to use of Software and application through the internet. It is used by End-user.  In other words, instead of installing software on the user's PC, SaaS allows them to access programs via the Internet.

SaaS MAIN FEATURES :

• Data is secure in the cloud.

• Subscribers are free of the responsibility of managing, installing, and upgrading software.

• Depending on the service requirements, user resources can be scaled up or down.

• Equipment failure does not cause data loss.

• Most internet-connected devices can access applications.

• Cloud Service providers offer customers paid access to software and applications.

Examples of SaaS Service: Google Workspace, Dropbox, Salesforce & Cisco

4-Function as a service (FaaS) – FaaS is a method of providing backend (The backend of a computer application or software refers to the code that allows it to run but cannot be accessed by the user.) services on an as-used basis. It is basically for freelance programmers or developers. It is called serverless service in which there is no need for managing and provisioning of Server. You can just focus on developing your programming code and the work of managing and provisioning the Server will be done by a cloud service provider. It's a brand-new cloud service model. 

Function as a service (FaaS), also known as “serverless” computing, is an option for deploying applications in the cloud. Actually, it is not serverless but give the experience of serverless to the user.

FaaS MAIN FEATURES : 

• No need of Managing servers

• Just pay for what you use

• The platform manages horizontal scaling for subscriber

Examples of FaaS Service: Amazon's AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions & Microsoft Azure Functions 

ADVANTAGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING:

• Cost Saving: It helps in cost saving in a great way because there is no need to buy costly hardware, servers and software to complete your work. If there is no server and costly machines so there is no need for high maintenance costs. 

• All of the most recent software will be readily available.

• Access to resources at any time and from any location.

• It is not necessary to have a high-end computer to use the services.

• With a little cost, customers can store an unlimited amount of data.

• Rapid Deployment.

• Easy Collaboration.

DISADVANTAGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING:

• Downtime: As it is based on the internet, then slow internet connection and unnecessary outages are a great problem.

• Risk of data confidentiality.

• Depends on the internet connection.

• Security Threat: Data breaches are possible in the event of a cyber-attack, despite the several layers of security in place.

WHAT IS WINDOWS 365?

A new cloud-based service that offers end users Cloud PCs. Users get their own personalised desktop in the cloud with this Windows 365 Cloud PC, which can be viewed from anywhere on any device.

The subscription-based service allows users to stream a Windows PC from anywhere through any device using the internet.

The service is available in two editions — Windows 365 Business and Windows 365 Enterprise.

Frequently Asked Question regarding this technology (Click FAQ to visit Microsoft site)  

WHAT IS CLOUD BURSTING?

CLOUD BURSTING :

Cloud bursting is a technique to use the resources of the Public Cloud by the private cloud in case of a spike in demand.

MAIN FEATURES OF CLOUD BURSTING:

• A cost-effective and flexible strategy for dealing with a sudden rise in demand.

• In the public infrastructure, scaling up and down computing resources is effortless.

• The additional load is managed in the public cloud on a fee-per-use model, saving the company time and money on hardware procurement.
• 
  

**********