Cloud computing is a trending topic that creates many hopes, expectations, and speculations around the world. In comparison, there is much academic exploration as to how to extend the services or broaden the scopes of which, for the benefit of humanity, a large proportion of the global community is not much aware of the uses and advantages brought by cloud computing.

 

The term cloud is a symbolic reference to the internet itself. The term is coined considering the nature of the technologies used to offer cloud-related services.

 

Based on the benefits given to the users, cloud computing can be categorized into three segments.

 

  1. Public clouds - these clouds are created by IT infrastructure developers and service providers. The cloud does not belong to specific end-user or users, and the infrastructure laid out to support the clouds is shared between multiple cloud services providers.
  2. Private clouds - these clouds are dedicated to their end-users, and deep accessibility is always preserved with well-planned cybersecurity schemes and with the utmost confidentiality. Ideally, the infrastructure is owned by a single company or organization. Earlier, private clouds were usually managed on a site or residence managed by the client. However, better connectivity in terms of internet-related technology, as well as more advanced storage devices, has enhanced the capability of cloud service providers to work off-site with their clients. The private clouds are segmented into two subcategories.
    1. Managed private clouds - these clouds are created and technically managed by third parties. However, clouds are put into function by creating space proportions for the respective end-users, customers, clients, etc., depending on the service.
    2. Dedicated clouds - These are clouds created within a public cloud space that is dedicated to one specific end-user. The infrastructure used is the infrastructure that is deployed to create public cloud space.
  3. Hybrid clouds - As with the term, these clouds carry features from both of the above categories. They have both public and private cloud characteristics. Usually managed in a Local Area network, these clouds are connected to the internet through a software application. These clouds are part of the technology called “Multi Clouds”, a service managed by more than one cloud service vendor. This method is getting increasingly popular among startups and middle-layer business ventures.

 

What are cloud services?

 

Cloud services include the platforms, infrastructure, and software hosted by third parties and are made available for access to the end-users through software applications. The cloud services are divided into three categories -

 

  1. IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service -  A key cloud services provider will manage the IT infrastructure required to keep the cloud alive for the end-users. These will include the networking hardware, networking connectivity, storage devices, servers, etc. The end-user manages the application, data, runtime, middleware, and operating system functionalities.
  2. PaaS - Platform as a service - The software application, which provides the cloud services platform and a cloud services provider manages all related networking and storage hardware. Users will be “handling” the software applications and will be owning the data they will input.
  3. SaaS - Software as a Service - Access can be given to the end-user through a web browser, and locally downloaded applications are not a necessity. The hardware and the backend of the software platforms are managed by the services provider, with connectivity mainly relying 100% on the internet.

 

The fastest form of cloud access will come through private and dedicated cloud services. However, in the context of security, the best option is regarded as the “hybrid” option. Public cloud services will have common layers of security, and private versions will rely on the security systems in the devices used by the end-users. The hybrid version will carry a combination of both, including constant moving between storage spaces, which will make the data further impenetrable for a physical or network hack.

 

Cloud network hardware -

Commonly used equipment includes - Storage devices such as hard disk arrays, servers, switches, hubs, backup storage devices, portable storage devices, routers, load balancers, and security systems such as firewalls. The network will have physical wired connectivity as well as radio transmission. The internet will be the prime mode of data transmission for most public and hybrid services providers.

 

Cloud architecture -

The Architecture will vary between the categories of cloud services as well as the range covered by the services.

 

Benefits of using modern-day cloud services -

  1. On-demand self-service - Cloud services are accessible immediately and will be given upon receiving a request from a user.
  2. Elasticity - the end-user can stretch or shrink the capacity and features of the cloud service offered to them. They can alter between different price points in packages to ideally fit their budgets.
  3. Utility Economics - Pay-as-you-go-by - This feature will give the user full control of their cloud service-related expenses. They will only be paying proportionately to the exact specifications and configurations of what they are using. There will be no general charges to times the cloud is not used or over spaces the user was entitled to but never used.
  4. Mobility - cloud services offer remarkable mobility to their end-users. A device that is capable of supporting an internet connection as well as software application platforms, along with internet connectivity, is all that is required to use a cloud. Unlike locally arrayed networks with hardware, the end-user can access the cloud and cloud-related services, any time anywhere, with a stable internet connection.
  5. Near infinite scales - The time spent on growing a cloud network or a server-based network in a company takes time. However, cloud services will give the end-user ability to connect and use the services immediately.
  6. Cloud computing reduces the requirement for the end-users to have high-end hardware configuration to improve the performance of their
    1. Gaming
    2. Data storage and databases
    3. Software application and software project development
    4. Entertainment related approaches
    5. Business and financial management
    6. Data Mining, big data analytics, cryptocurrency-related mining, and transactions

Cloud computing has paved the way for the cloud gaming industry, pursued by millions of professional gamers around the world. In addition to the GPU processing requirements of gaming, the same GPU sources can be used to engage in crypto mining. Capita investments that were earlier required for computing have been significantly reduced with the arrival of cloud computing.

 

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