CLEARING UP CLOUD COMPUTING

By Nicole SiegelMay 19, 2010

WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

WHAT IS A CLOUDThe term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for the

Internet.

The cloud is a batch of computers called data centers or servers that hold your information (files, images, videos, etc.) and can be located anywhere.

Some claim that the phrase cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams.

SO WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

CLOUD COMPUTING…. When data or software applications are not stored on a user’s

computer, but rather are accessed through the web from any device at any location.

The server and computing environment exist in a virtual sense, and aren’t tied to any one particular machine.

Files and applications are basically floating around in a “cloud of resources”, making the hardware less important.

Cloud computing customers do not own the physical infrastructure but rather rent usage from a third-party provider (there are paid and unpaid models).

Also known as grid computing, utility computing, software as a service, Internet-based applications, autonomic computing, peer-to-peer computing and remote processing.

A BRIEF HISTORYYears ago, computing was largely centralized. Users

accessed information and programs on mainframe computers (such as Microsoft and Adobe).

The underlying concept of cloud computing dates back to 1960, when John McCarthy declared that “computation may someday be organized as a public utility.”

Amazon played a key role in the development of cloud computing, providing access to their systems through Amazon Web Services (remote computing services).

Recent evolutions in information technology (and the growth in broadband access) have led to a more distributed computing environment.

3 CATEGORIES1 Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

Outsources the equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components. The service provider owns the equipment and is responsible for housing, running and maintaining it. Examples: Amazon EC2, Rackspace Cloud

2 Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) Delivers operating systems and application platforms over

the Internet without downloads or installation. Examples: Google App Engine, Force.com

3 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Delivers software as a service over the Internet,

eliminating the need to install and run on a computer. Examples: Gmail, Wordpress.com

HOW IT WORKS

HOW IT WORKS Imagine that the cloud consists of layers — the back-end

layers and the front-end or end-user layers.

When email is accessed on Gmail for example, software is running on the front-end of a cloud. The same is true with access to Facebook accounts.

The back-end consists of the hardware and the software architecture that fuels the interface you see on the front-end.

HOW IT WORKSCloud computing works by hosting information on

computers out ‘in the cloud’. Work is then done in a cloud since it is not necessary to store software or files on an individual computer.

Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from another web service or software like a web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers.

Web-based programs, like Hotmail, Gmail, Google Docs and Facebook run in the browser and contain data which exists outside of a computer, or "in the cloud."

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLESMany people have already transitioned to using

a cloud environment without even realizing it:

Webmail services such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo! Online photo storage/albums such as Snapfish,

Picassa and KodakGoogle documentsVideo upload sites such as YouTube, VimeoHard drive back-up sitesSocial bookmarkingPresentation storageSocial networking sites such as Facebook

WHO IS USING IT

WHO IS USING ITWiFi connectors are enthusiastic and are the most avid

adopters.

Younger Internet users are more inclined than older ones to use services or applications that require personal data to be stored online.

A large company that has employees in numerous locations running specialized software to carry out data-intensive tasks.

Business travelers needing access while away from their computer.

Students looking to work remotely.

ADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES Accessibility

Agility

Cost effective

Easy and convenient

Environmentally friendly

Flexibility

Low Maintenance

Reliability

Shareability

DISADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES Inconsistent

Lack of privacy

Learning curve

Less control over personal information

Liability

New technology

Reliant on Internet

Security issues

WHAT IT ALL MEANS

Future of Cloud ComputingCloud computing is changing the way we use the web

and store files.

With broadband Internet, the need to have hardware/software run on a computer is becoming less essential.

According to Steve Ballmer, "It's the next step, it's the next phase, it's the next transition.”

John Herlihy of Google Europe has essentially mirrored those thoughts, calling the desktop an item that will be "irrelevant" in three years. Why? Largely because most everything you'll need a tower for will be available via a mobile or the web.

Future of Cloud ComputingWe are transitioning from being very ‘personal

hardware dependent’ to a world where resources are shared among the masses.

For businesses, cloud computing translates to greater efficiencies and collaboration (and IT staff and budget reductions).

For the average internet user, we'll start seeing a more networked world in which we'll be using our computers and mobile devices to easily access information stored elsewhere.

REFERENCES

http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/

http://blog.monitis.com/index.php/2009/09/09/3-types-of-cloud-computing-services/

http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/node/581961

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/steve-ballmer-emphasizes-importance-of-the-cloud-google-pretty/ http://mashable.com/2008/08/19/cloud-computing-defined/

http://www.pewinternet.org/topics/Cloud-Computing.aspx

http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid201_gci1287881,00.html