Cloud Computing

Definition:-
Cloud Computing is defined as storing and accessing of data and computing services over the internet. It
is the use of remote servers on the internet to store, manage process data rather than local servers.
In others word we can say that Cloud computing is a virtualization-based technology that allows us to
create, configure, and customize applications via an internet connection. The cloud technology includes
development platform, hard disk, software application, and database.
The term cloud refers to a network or the Internet. We can say that Cloud is something, which is present
at remote location. It is a technology that uses remote servers on the internet to store, manage, and access
data online rather than local drives. The data can be anything such as files, images, documents, audio,
video, and more. Cloud can provide services over public and private networks, i.e., WAN, LAN or VPN
(Virtual Private Network).
Example:-
Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM Cloud
Characteristics:-
1. Agility:- The cloud works in a distributed computing environment. It shares resources among
users and works very fast.
2. High Availability and Reliability:- The availability of servers is high and more reliable because
the chances of infrastructure failure are minimum.
3. High Scalability:- Cloud offers "on-demand" provisioning of resources on a large scale, without
having engineers for peak loads.
4. Multi-Sharing:- With the help of cloud computing, multiple users and applications can work
more efficiently with cost reductions by sharing common infrastructure. Cloud computing allows
multiple tenants to share a pool of resources. One can share single physical instance of hardware,
database and basic infrastructure.
5. Device and Location Independence:- Since cloud computing is completely web based, it can be
accessed from anywhere and at any time. Cloud computing enables the users to access systems
using a web browser regardless of their location or what device they use e.g. PC, mobile phone,
etc. As infrastructure is off-site (typically provided by a third-party) and accessed via the Internet,
users can connect from anywhere.
6.Maintenance:- Maintenance of cloud computing applications is easier, since they do not need to
be installed on each user's computer and can be accessed from different places. So, it reduces the
cost also.
7.Low Cost:- By using cloud computing, the cost will be reduced because to take the services of
cloud computing, IT company need not to set its own infrastructure and pay-as-per usage of
resources.
8.Services in pay-per-use mode:- Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are provided to the
users so that they can access services on the cloud by using these APIs and pay the charges as per
the usage of services.
9.On Demand Self Service:- Cloud Computing allows the users to use web services and resources
on demand. One can login to a website at any time and use them.
Advantages:-
1. Back-up and restore data:- Once the data is stored in the cloud, it is easier to get back-up and
restore that data using the cloud.
 2. Improved collaboration:- Cloud applications improve collaboration by allowing groups of
people to quickly and easily share information in the cloud via shared storage.
3. Excellent accessibility:- Cloud allows us to quickly and easily access store information
anywhere, anytime in the whole world, using an internet connection. An internet cloud
infrastructure increases organization productivity and efficiency by ensuring that our data is
always accessible.
4. Low cost:- There is no requirement of high-power computers and technology because the
application will run on the cloud, not on the user’s PC. The cloud reduces the software costs
because there is no need to purchase software for every computer in an organization. Cloud
computing reduces both hardware and software maintenance costs for organizations.
5. Mobility:- Cloud computing allows us to easily access all cloud data via mobile.
6. Pay-Per-Use model:- Cloud computing offers Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to
the users f or access services on the cloud and pays the charges as per the usage of service.
7. Unlimited storage capacity:- Cloud offers us a huge amount of storing capacity for storing our
important data such as documents, images, audio, video, etc. in one place.
8. Increase computing power:- Cloud servers have a very high-capacity for running and
processing tasks and the processing of applications.
9. Updating:- Instant software update is possible and users don't have to face the choice problem
between obsolete and high-upgrade software.

Disadvantages:-
1. Internet speed - Cloud technology requires a high-speed internet connection as web-based
applications often require a large bandwidth amount.
2. Constant Internet Connection - It's impossible to use cloud infrastructure without the
Internet. To access any application or cloud storage, a constant internet connection is required.
3. Security -With cloud computing, all the data gets stored in the cloud. The most significant
disadvantage of the cloud is security. Data on the cloud is not secure. There may be chances of
data loss because an unauthorized user can access the user’s data. While sending the data on the
cloud, there may be a chance that your organization's information is hacked by hackers.
4. Cost Management Complexity: The main benefit of cloud services is their pricing model that
coming with Pay as you go but it also leads to cost management complexities. On without
proper careful monitoring and utilization of resources optimization, Organizations may end up
with unexpected costs as per their use scale. Understanding and Controlled usage of cloud
services requires ongoing attention.