Cloud computing refers to servers and databases accessed over the internet. It allows users and companies to access files, applications, and resources from any device without managing their own servers. Key benefits include lower costs, scalability, accessibility from anywhere, and easier updates/maintenance. However, cloud services also raise security, privacy, reliability, and vendor lock-in concerns that must be addressed.
3. • "The cloud" refers to servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the
software and databases that run on those servers.
• Cloud servers are located in data centers all over the world.
• By using cloud computing, users and companies do not have to manage
physical servers themselves or run software applications on their own machines.
4. • The cloud enables users to access the same files and applications from almost any
device, because the computing and storage takes place on servers in a data center,
instead of locally on the user device.
• This is why a user can log in to their Instagram account on a new phone after their
old phone breaks and still find their old account in place, with all their photos,
videos, and conversation history.
• It works the same way with cloud email providers like Gmail or Microsoft Office
365, and with cloud storage providers like Dropbox or Google Drive.
5. • For businesses, switching to cloud computing removes some IT costs and
overhead:
• for instance, they no longer need to update and maintain their own servers, as
the cloud vendor they are using will do that.
• This especially makes an impact for small businesses that may not have been
able to afford their own internal infrastructure but can outsource their
infrastructure needs affordably via the cloud.
• The cloud can also make it easier for companies to operate internationally,
because employees and customers can access the same files and applications
from any location.
6. Cloud Computing
• Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of compute power,
database, storage, applications and other IT resources via internet
with pay-as-you-go model.
8. Business drivers for adopting Cloud Computing
1.Cost Savings: One of the primary reasons businesses adopt cloud
computing is to reduce capital expenses and operational costs. Cloud
services allow organizations to pay for computing resources on a pay-as-
you-go basis, which eliminates the need for upfront hardware and
infrastructure investments. This helps in optimizing IT budgets and
avoiding costly hardware refresh cycles.
2.Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud computing offers the ability to easily
scale up or down computing resources based on demand. Businesses can
quickly adapt to changing workloads, seasonal spikes, or business growth
without overprovisioning or facing resource constraints.
9. 3.Global Reach and Accessibility: Cloud computing facilitates access
to resources and services from anywhere with an internet connection.
This global reach allows businesses to expand their operations to new
markets without significant physical infrastructure investments.
4.Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Cloud providers
typically offer robust backup and disaster recovery solutions. Storing
data and applications in the cloud ensures data redundancy and
minimizes the risk of data loss, providing better business continuity.
5.Security and Compliance: Cloud providers invest heavily in security
measures, often offering stronger security practices than many
individual organizations can achieve on their own. Compliance with
industry standards and regulations can also be facilitated through the use
of cloud services.
10. 6.Reduced IT Complexity: Moving to the cloud can simplify IT
infrastructure and management. Organizations can rely on cloud
providers to handle infrastructure maintenance, updates, and security,
allowing IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.
7.Environmental Sustainability: Cloud computing can contribute to
environmental sustainability by optimizing resource utilization and
energy efficiency. Cloud providers can achieve economies of scale in
data centers, leading to more eco-friendly computing.
11. Cloud Service Providers
1.Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS, provided by Amazon.com, is
widely considered the largest and most comprehensive cloud service
provider. It offers a vast array of cloud services, including computing
power, storage options, databases, machine learning, analytics, IoT,
and more. AWS has a global presence with data centers in multiple
regions.
2.Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure is a cloud platform offered by
Microsoft. It provides a wide range of services, including virtual
machines, databases, AI, analytics, and developer tools. Azure is well-
integrated with Microsoft's software ecosystem, making it a popular
choice for organizations already using Microsoft technologies.
12. 3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google Cloud Platform is Google's
cloud offering, providing services for computing, storage, machine
learning, big data, and more. GCP is known for its expertise in data
analytics and machine learning and is popular among organizations that
leverage Google's technologies.
4. IBM Cloud: IBM Cloud offers a mix of infrastructure as a service
(IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS)
solutions. It caters to a broad range of industries and provides cloud-
based tools and services for various enterprise needs.
5. Oracle Cloud: Oracle Cloud is Oracle's cloud computing platform,
providing services for infrastructure, databases, applications, and more.
It targets businesses that use Oracle's software and technologies,
offering seamless integration with existing Oracle systems.
13. 6. Alibaba Cloud: Alibaba Cloud is the cloud computing arm of
Alibaba Group, focusing primarily on serving businesses in the Asia-
Pacific region. It offers a broad range of cloud services, including data
storage, networking, big data, and AI.
7. Salesforce (Salesforce Platform): Salesforce is a leading provider of
cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software. The
Salesforce Platform allows businesses to build and deploy custom
applications and services in the cloud.
8. Tencent Cloud: Tencent Cloud is a cloud service provider based in
China, offering cloud computing solutions, data storage, and content
delivery services primarily to customers in the Asian market.
14. Properties/ Characteristics of Cloud Computing
1.On-Demand Self-Service: Users can provision and manage computing
resources, such as virtual machines, storage, and applications, on-demand
without requiring human intervention from the service provider. This
enables rapid access to resources whenever needed.
2.Broad Network Access: Cloud services are accessible over the internet
from a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and
smartphones. Users can access the services from anywhere with an internet
connection.
3.Resource Pooling: Cloud providers aggregate computing resources (e.g.,
processing power, storage, memory) to serve multiple users simultaneously.
These resources are dynamically allocated and shared among users based on
demand, achieving efficiency and cost optimization.
15. 4.Rapid Elasticity: Cloud services can scale up or down rapidly to accommodate
fluctuations in workload or user demand. This elasticity allows businesses to handle
spikes in usage without over-provisioning resources during periods of low demand.
5.Measured Service: Cloud computing follows a "pay-as-you-go" model, where
users are billed based on their actual usage of resources. Resource consumption is
measured, and users are only charged for what they consume. This provides cost
transparency and allows businesses to optimize expenses.
6.Multi-Tenancy: Cloud providers serve multiple customers (tenants) from a shared
infrastructure. Resources and services are logically isolated to ensure security and
privacy, even though they are physically shared.
7.Automatic Resource Management: Cloud providers handle the underlying
infrastructure management, including hardware maintenance, software updates, and
security patches. Users do not need to manage the physical infrastructure, allowing
them to focus on their core business activities.
16. 8.Service Models: Cloud computing offers different service models,
including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and
Software as a Service (SaaS). Each model provides varying levels of control
and management over the underlying infrastructure and software.
9.Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Cloud service providers often offer
SLAs that define the expected level of service availability, performance, and
support. SLAs ensure a certain level of reliability and performance for cloud
services.
10.Security and Compliance: Cloud providers implement robust security
measures and compliance standards to protect user data and ensure regulatory
compliance. Data encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications
are common security features.
17. Advantages of Cloud Computing:
1.Cost Savings: Cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront capital
expenditures on hardware and infrastructure. Businesses can pay for resources on
a pay-as-you-go basis, reducing overall IT costs.
2.Scalability: Cloud services allow businesses to easily scale resources up or down
based on demand, providing flexibility to handle fluctuations in workload.
3.Accessibility: Cloud services are accessible over the internet from anywhere with
an internet connection, enabling remote access and collaboration among
geographically dispersed teams.
4.Rapid Deployment: Cloud services can be quickly provisioned and deployed,
reducing the time it takes to bring new applications and services to market.
18. 5.Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Cloud providers handle
infrastructure maintenance, software updates, and security, freeing up IT
teams from routine tasks.
6.Global Reach: Cloud providers have data centers in multiple regions,
allowing businesses to expand their operations to new markets without
the need for physical infrastructure in each location.
7.Data Redundancy and Disaster Recovery: Cloud providers often
offer data redundancy and robust disaster recovery solutions, ensuring
data availability and business continuity.
8.Innovation and Experimentation: Cloud computing enables
businesses to experiment with new ideas and innovations without
significant upfront investment.
19. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing:
1.Data Security and Privacy: Storing data in the cloud raises concerns
about data security and privacy. Organizations must carefully assess
the security measures of cloud providers and take necessary
precautions to protect sensitive data.
2.Internet Dependency: Cloud services require a stable internet
connection. Without internet access, users may not be able to access
critical applications or data.
3.Vendor Lock-In: Moving data and applications to the cloud can
create vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to a different
provider later.
20. 4.Downtime and Reliability: Cloud services are subject to occasional
downtime, which can impact business operations. Organizations must
choose providers with strong service level agreements (SLAs) for
reliability guarantees.
5.Data Transfer Costs: Transferring large amounts of data in and out of
the cloud can incur additional costs, especially if bandwidth is limited.