CLOUD COMPUTING

The history, current territory, and future of cloud computing.

by Ryon Riley

ENC 3241

Technical Writing University of Central Florida 10 March 2013

Abstract
The purpose of this report is to give insight into the history, efficiency, and logistics of the technology known as cloud computing. This report provides a better understanding of what cloud computing really means, the development of the technology, the benefits of using cloud computing versus not using it, as well as the current uses and future for the technology. The security, efficiency, and general logistics behind the technology will be outlined as well.

Introduction
Cloud computing or the cloud is a technology that has been around for years, and yet is still ever expanding. This technology has become a critical tool for businesses as it becomes more prevalent around the world. Individual business owners and larger companies use this technology often to further expand their networking and storage capabilities. Not only is the technology a beneficial tool for companies, but it is almost mandatory today. This report will outline the history of the technology, from it humble beginnings to its current territory, and then finally provide insight about the future of cloud computing. Furthermore, the report concludes by reinforcing that the cloud is a beneficial tool for the information technology world. This document is intended to help those interested in the field of information technology better understand the technology behind cloud computing. The report will further explain the necessity of cloud computing, the history of the technology, how it is currently used around the world, the efficiency and benefits of using the technology, and a possible future for said technology. Definition of cloud computing Cloud computing is defined as internet-based computing in which large groups of remote servers are networked so as to allow sharing of data-processing tasks, centralized data storage, and online access to computer services or resources 1. Common examples include online applications, file storage, and photo sharing technology. Cloud computing is based on the Internet and allows multiple users to acquire and share files and information without the necessity of software.

History of cloud computing

The history of cloud computing is a debated topic, with many experts arguing differing opinions on when the technology actually came about. As Wesley Chun of Google developer relations states while the advent of contemporary computer networking happened in the mid1970s, no talk of anything remotely resembling a concept like cloud computing came about until about a decade later in 1984 2. In other words, cloud computing has been around for over two decades, more or less. The development process The technology of cloud computing has developed drastically from its earliest stages, which was merely an idea; a way to communicate from computer to computer. The first trace of advancement towards this new technology was started by Sir Tim Berners-Lee when he proposed the idea of sharing knowledge stored on multiple servers to be made available to the world via client computers 3. This advancement is commonly referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW for short). Around the late 1990s companies started to use this newly found World Wide Web and also gain a better understanding of how networking works. Circa 1997, IT professor Ramnath Chellappa was the first to use the terminology known as cloud computing. An article on Chinadaily.com states he suggested that the cloud would be a new computing paradigm where the boundaries of computing will be determined by economic rationale rather than technical limits alone 4. The professor was correct. In the late 1990s through the 2000s, companies such as Google, Salesforce and Amazon began using the technology. It was not until 2006 that Amazon.com Inc. launched one of the worlds earliest online storage services named 2

Amazon Simple Storage Service 5. Thus, cloud computing began to develop into an important tool for businesses even until today. Before cloud computing Before the idea of storing information on an online database, users had to store everything on their own computers. This made sharing information such as files, pictures, and other data a difficult task. Individuals had to store files on hard drives and use thumb drives to properly send and transport data from computer to computer. Also, before there were applications, a user had to rely on software to use multiple applications. Another problem was backing up information. The only way to backup data and files stored on a computer was to use costly hardware. Finally, to get the latest updates on a particular application was not an easy process. Usually, the process entailed the time consuming task of talking to a technical support person. All of these problems were eliminated with the invention of the cloud.

Current uses of cloud computing

There are many benefits of using cloud computing technology such as its economic effect, efficiency, storage and security. With many companies expanding in the world today, there becomes a need for a way to store data and share it with other companies. This is not only externally, but internally as well. Cloud computing offers more storage space and an efficient safe way to share data amongst large networks of computers. Certainly, this is a much needed improvement over the old systems.

Figure 1-1: Basic cloud diagram Source: http://www.onbile.com/info/what-cloud-computing-means/ Efficiency of cloud computing The cloud is an efficient way to link together multiple computers to a centralized network. It is also a much cheaper alternative to local storage. An added benefit of cloud computing is the economic scale. As Johnathan Koomey puts it its cheaper for bigger cloud computing folks to make efficiency improvements because they can spread the costs over a large server base and can afford to have more dedicated folks focused on efficiency improvements 6. Efficiency is, in other words, a solution to many important factors such as money, energy, space, cooling and hardware. The cloud alleviates the need for onsite storage, which saves companies money. In addition to monetary savings, the cloud also saves space. Without the large servers and storage devices onsite, companies can save space for other uses. How secure is the cloud? In regards to security, the cloud has become a safe way to share information via the Internet. While the information is stored on the internet, it is not only safe, but information is 4

more easily obtained for internal use. However, there may be some skepticism behind the idea of putting information into the hands of a public carrier. Whitfield Diffie, a cryptographer and security researcher spoke about the security of cloud computing in an interview on MIT technology review. The cryptographer says It depends on your viewpoint. From the view of a broad class of potential users it is very much like trusting the telephone companyor Gmail, or even the post officeto keep your communications private. People frequently place confidential information into the hands of common carriers and other commercial enterprises 7. Despite the use of public storage services, information is secure through means of encryption and company protection. Additional services of the cloud Web based solution services such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) are additional benefits to using the cloud. First, SaaS or the highest level of cloud computing services are defined as software applications only available online 8. An example of this is e-mail. Without the cloud, a person would have to host the e-mail services on an internal service. With the cloud, e-mail services are open to the public via the Internet. The second service, Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), is the outsourcing of hardware. In such cases, it's not just the computing power that you rent; it also includes power, cooling, and networking. Furthermore, it's more than likely that you'll need storage as well 9. Individuals can rent cloud as well as the computer storage from a provider. Lastly, the Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a situation in which the vendor of the provided service takes full care of the infrastructure and gives the company a platform. Each of these gives the company or business an easier method of providing services via the cloud. By having one of the services, a company has an advantage over those who still use local storage. 5

Figure 1-2: Cloud computing services Source: https://developers.google.com/appengine/training/intro/whatiscc

Future of cloud computing

As businesses around the world continue to expand, so does the world of information technology along with the idea of cloud computing. From its beginning to its current state, cloud computing technology has continued to amaze the IT world. Businesses are still using the technology today and will continue to as long as it is relevant. That being said, the technology will only continue to improve. Paul Moxon of Axway states with an increasingly complex IT environment on the horizon for IT departments, it will be important to look further ahead than just 2013 10. It is clear that there will be many advancements in the field of information technology, which will definitely include areas like cloud computing. The very nature of cloud computing is necessary for businesses to run smoothly and efficiently.

Conclusion
Cloud computing has become a popular alternative to traditional local storage and utility computing throughout the business world. The cloud has many advantages and some disadvantages, but overall is very beneficial. In relation to information technology, the efficiency, logistics and security of todays uses of the cloud make it a strong component in the world of business. Future prospects may even improve the already well developed technology.

References 1. "Cloud computing." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 10 Mar. 2013.
<Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cloud computing>.

2. Chun, Wesley. "What is Cloud Computing?." Google Developers Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar
2013. <https://developers.google.com/appengine/training/intro/whatiscc>.

3. Chun, Wesley. "What is Cloud Computing?." Google Developers Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar
2013. <https://developers.google.com/appengine/training/intro/whatiscc>.

4. "The history of cloud computing." chinadaily. China Daily Information Co, 21 Jan 2013. Web. 10 Mar
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5. "The history of cloud computing." chinadaily. China Daily Information Co, 21 Jan 2013. Web. 10 Mar
2013. <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-01/21/content_16146386.htm>.

6. Koomey, Johnathan. "4 reasons why cloud computing is efficient." Gigaom. N.p., 25 Jul 2011. Web. 10
Mar 2013. <http://gigaom.com/2011/07/25/4-reasons-why-cloud-computing-is-efficient/>.

7. Talbot, David. "How Secure Is Cloud Computing?." MIT Technology Review. N.p., 16 Nov 2009. Web.
10 Mar 2013. <http://www.technologyreview.com/news/416293/how-secure-is-cloud-computing/>.

8. Chun, Wesley. "What is Cloud Computing?." Google Developers Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar
2013. <https://developers.google.com/appengine/training/intro/whatiscc>.

9. Chun, Wesley. "What is Cloud Computing?." Google Developers Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar
2013. <https://developers.google.com/appengine/training/intro/whatiscc>.

10. Moxon, Paul. "Paul Moxon (Global) - The Future of Cloud Computing: How Do You Prepare in
2013?." IDG Connect. N.p., 09 Jan 2013. Web. 10 Mar 2013. <http://www.idgconnect.com/blogabstract/720/paul-moxon-global-the-future-cloud-computing-how-do-you-prepare-2013>.