What Is Cloud Computing? – SitePoint' data-gatsby-head='true'/><

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way individuals and businesses interact with technology. It helps users run complex processes in the cloud without worrying about capacity, security or management issues.

For example, if you try to host your application yourself, you will do the following:

1. Create an internal server.
2. Manage server rooms by providing comprehensive cooling.
3. Monitor server resources and upgrade server capacity such as RAM and CPU as workloads increase.

This takes a lot of effort and is sometimes more difficult than building an application. In most cases, managing your own server is expensive because you have to buy a server with enough RAM and you always have restrictions on the vertical scaling of the server. Therefore, there is a high chance that you will over-configure or under-configure your server.

However, the introduction of the cloud is easier because cloud vendors provide you with resources for on-demand use. You have to focus on building and deploying your applications, and cloud vendors are responsible for your infrastructure.

So let's see what cloud computing is and the benefits it brings to individuals and organizations.

Key Points

• Cloud computing provides IT services over the Internet, including storage, servers, databases and software.
• It provides scalability, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility, making it the first choice for businesses and individuals.
• The key players include AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, each offering unique services and benefits.
• Emerging trends such as edge computing and AI integration are shaping the future of cloud technology.

Understanding cloud computing

What is a cloud computing service?

If you want to understand a simple explanation of cloud computing, think of it as renting computing power and storage space online rather than buying a physical server.

If we go into it in depth, cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services over the Internet ("cloud"), such as servers, storage, databases, networks, software and analytics. This eliminates the need for businesses and individuals to maintain physical IT infrastructure, allowing on-demand access to resources without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

If you are continuing with cloud deployment, you should understand that it has a set of key features that make it powerful:

Scalability

Easy to scale or reduce resources as needed. This means you don't need to over-configure or under-configure your resources, but let the cloud decide when to scale your resources based on the workload.

Cost-effectiveness

Pay only the fees you use, thus reducing capital expenditure. You do not need to provision resources to consider that you will be serving 1,000 users. You can start small and grow when needed.

Accessibility

Use an internet connection to access resources from anywhere. This means you can work seamlessly across different devices, whether it’s a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Automation

Many processes (such as updates and maintenance) are automated. Cloud vendors provide hosting services such as Amazon EC2 and AWS Lambda, which automatically handle patch management and other features. You don't have to worry about protecting the underlying infrastructure, as this is the responsibility of the supplier.

However, you need to pay attention to overall application security. This is clearly defined in the cloud's shared responsibility model. While AWS is responsible for protecting the underlying infrastructure, you need to protect your applications. Now, let's look at different types of cloud systems.

Types of cloud computing

You can choose from 4 main cloud computing architecture models: 1. Public cloud

The service is provided through the public Internet by third-party providers such as AWS and Google Cloud. Public cloud is ideal for businesses that need scalability and cost-effectiveness. They provide a shared environment where resources are managed by providers, making them easy to access and deploy.

2. Private Cloud

These are cloud environments specifically used in a single organization. Private clouds are tailored to enterprises that require greater control and security. They are usually hosted in internal or managed by third-party providers to ensure data is isolated and comply with specific regulatory requirements.

3. Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud combines public and private clouds to provide flexibility and optimized workloads. Hybrid cloud setup allows organizations to run sensitive workloads in private environments while leveraging public clouds to perform less important tasks. This ensures cost-effectiveness while maintaining data security where needed.

4. Cloudy

Use the services of multiple cloud providers and avoid relying on a single provider. Multi-cloud strategies provide redundancy, enhanced performance and greater flexibility. Businesses can choose the best service from each provider to customize their infrastructure to meet specific requirements without locking into a single ecosystem.

Compared with major cloud providers

Several cloud service providers have been highlighted in Gartner's Magic Quadrant. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a visionary in the cloud world and has been doing so for the past 10 years. However, there are other well-known cloud vendors such as GCP, Oracle, and Azure.

However, it is located above other vendors due to AWS's continued innovation in the cloud computing field and its large number of cloud service models and products.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a market leader in cloud computing, providing a wide range of services and a mature ecosystem. Its global reach ensures high availability and scalability, making it an excellent choice for start-ups and large businesses. AWS provides advanced tools for machine learning, data analytics and the Internet of Things to meet different business needs. Companies seeking flexibility and cutting-edge capabilities often choose AWS because of its powerful performance and a wide service catalog.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure specializes in seamless integration with Microsoft's existing products such as Windows Server, SQL Server, and Office 365. Its enterprise-level support makes it the first choice for organizations already rooted in the Microsoft ecosystem. Azure’s hybrid cloud capabilities and focus on security and compliance make it ideal for industries such as healthcare and finance. Enterprises leveraging Microsoft tools can benefit greatly from Azure's simplified operations and cost-effective solutions.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) stands out for its advantages in AI and machine learning. TensorFlow and BigQuery for GCP are popular tools for data scientists and developers, aiming to build advanced analytics solutions. Its cost-effective pricing structure and focus on sustainability attract businesses that manage large-scale data applications. GCP is an excellent choice for data-intensive industries such as technology, education and research.

Other providers

• IBM Cloud focuses on enterprise-level security and AI capabilities. It is often chosen by businesses that require strong data protection and advanced AI services, especially in regulated industries such as healthcare and banking.
• Oracle Cloud is known for its powerful database management services. Its cloud infrastructure is ideal for enterprises that rely on Oracle databases and enterprise applications. Oracle's focus on performance and reliability makes it the first choice for business-critical workloads.

Manage cloud costs

So, if you want to take any of these cloud vendors and start leveraging their cloud infrastructure services right away, you must be concerned about the cost. No matter how good cloud computing is, there are always ways that can go wrong and ultimately lead to huge cloud bills.

So, here are some strategies to effectively optimize cloud costs:

Reasonable adjustment of resources

Many organizations over-configure cloud storage and computing resources, resulting in unnecessary spending. Resource adjustments are rationally involved in analyzing workloads and adjusting resources to match actual usage. This ensures that you only pay for the required fees, thus reducing waste.

Usage monitoring

Monitor your cloud costs and usage regularly using tools such as AWS Cost Explorer or Azure's cost management and billing. These tools provide in-depth understanding of spending patterns and help identify areas that can reduce costs. For example, discovering underutilized virtual machines can instantly save costs.

Reserve instance

Cloud service providers offer significant discounts for long-term use by reserved instances. By predicting future demand and choosing these plans, businesses can achieve cost reductions as low as 75% compared to on-demand pricing.

The cost of avoiding neglected

Hidden charges (such as data transfer fees or idle resources) increase cloud billing. Implement automatic alerts to detect unused storage or running instances. In addition, develop strategies to manage your data storage and transfer and archive old data to effectively control these costs.

Regular review and review

Check regular cost audits to ensure consistency with business objectives. These audits can identify new optimization opportunities, such as transferring workloads to more cost-effective areas or leveraging alternative pricing models.

By adopting these strategies, you can maximize the return on your cloud investment while minimizing unnecessary spending.

Summary

This is all about cloud computing.

In short, cloud computing is more than just a technology; it is a transformative approach to leveraging IT resources. From cost-effectiveness to scalability and innovation, cloud computing has become an integral part of modern enterprises. By understanding the definition of cloud computing, leveraging best practices and staying abreast of emerging trends, organizations can leverage cloud computing’s strengths to drive growth and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cloud Computing

What is the simple explanation of cloud technology?

Cloud computing software is a way to access IT resources (such as storage and applications) and access remote servers over the Internet without having physical hardware.

What is a cloud solution?

Cloud solutions refer to services provided through the cloud, such as SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).

What is a cloud environment?

Cloud environment refers to the settings where cloud resources run, including private and public cloud, private, hybrid or multi-cloud models.

What is cloud software?

Cloud software refers to applications and programs hosted on cloud servers and accessed over the Internet. Unlike traditional software that needs to be installed on local devices, cloud software runs completely online, allowing users to access it from any device with an internet connection.

What is cloud programming?

Cloud programming involves writing software specially designed to run on cloud platforms. Developers use tools and languages ​​such as Python, Java, or Go to create scalable and efficient applications that leverage the cloud's distributed architecture.

What does cloud computing mean?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services through the Internet, such as servers, storage, databases, networks, software and analytics.

What are the benefits of cloud computing?

Main benefits include flexibility, cost savings, enhanced collaboration, and access to advanced tools such as AI and analytics.

With this understanding, businesses and individuals can explore the world of using cloud computing services, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

Is cloud computing safe?

Cloud computing provides powerful security measures such as encryption, firewalls and access control. However, security responsibilities are shared by the provider and the user. While providers are responsible for protecting infrastructure, users must protect their applications, data, and access.

What are the different cloud service models?

The three main cloud service models are:

• SaaS (Software as a Service): Access software through the Internet without installing it. Examples: Gmail, Dropbox.
• PaaS (Platform as a Service): Use the cloud platform to develop and deploy applications. Examples: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure.
• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Rent virtualized computing resources such as servers and storage. Examples: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine.

Can cloud computing be used offline?

Usually, cloud computing requires an Internet connection. However, some services offer offline access capabilities that synchronize data after the connection is restored.

What is serverless computing?

Serverless computing allows you to run applications and services without managing the underlying server. Cloud providers will automatically provision resources as needed. Examples include AWS Lambda and Azure Functions.

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