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Introduction to Cloud Computing Notes

This document introduces cloud computing, defining the cloud and contrasting it with on-premise computing. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, highlighting the flexibility and accessibility of cloud services compared to the limitations of on-premise setups. The document also provides examples of cloud computing applications and discusses the operational differences between cloud and on-premise environments.

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Dr. Balasubramani R
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Introduction to Cloud Computing Notes

This document introduces cloud computing, defining the cloud and contrasting it with on-premise computing. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, highlighting the flexibility and accessibility of cloud services compared to the limitations of on-premise setups. The document also provides examples of cloud computing applications and discusses the operational differences between cloud and on-premise environments.

Uploaded by

Dr. Balasubramani R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Learning Objectives: Introduction

to Cloud Computing

Learners will be able to…

Define what the “cloud” is

Compare and contrast on-premise and cloud computing

Describe at least three advantages and disadvantages of


on-premise computing and cloud computing

info

Make Sure You Know


No prior knowledge or experience of cloud computing required.

Limitations
This assignment will only cover on-premise computing versus cloud
computing. Other topics will be covered in future assignments.
What Is the Cloud?

The Cloud Environment vs. Physical


Environment
To understand what the cloud is, it is first important to know the
differences between the cloud environment and its counterpart, the
physical environment. Before the cloud came into existence, system servers
(which stores, sends, and receives data) were housed and ran exclusively
on traditional physical machines, like computers. A system server is
defined as a piece of computer hardware or software that provides
functionality for other programs or devices, called “clients”. This
traditional type of set-up is often referred to as “on-premise.” This means
that everything required to run the systems successfully is stored
physically within this space. The person who owns these systems has
control over all of the different components from security to performance.

This image shows how hardware and software


are run on-premise.

However, there are many drawbacks to the on-premise set-up. One of


which is accessibility, for example. If you are affiliated with a business that
uses the on-premise set-up, you need to be present within this environment
to access your data. This can pose a problem for your business especially if
an issue arises within your system and you are not available to access your
system to diagnose the problem.
To help with this issue along with others, the cloud environment was
developed. Though the concept of accessing data remotely began way back
in the 1960’s, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that some of the first cloud or virtual
services started to become widely used. Then, in the mid 2000’s, the cloud
exploded in popularly and gave rise to what is now known as the “big
three” cloud service providers (Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure,
and Amazon Web Services).

This image shows how hardware and software connect


to the cloud to run.

With cloud services, you can access your data from anywhere with an
internet connection. This makes running a business much more flexible
because any authorized associate will be able to get into the system
remotely without needing to travel to the physical business location.

Cloud Example
Banking is an example of how the cloud has made it much easier to access
one’s information, data, etc. Before cloud technology came into play, all
banking transactions, such as making a deposit, withdrawal, or transfer,
had to happen on-premise. This means you must travel to the site of the
bank in order to perform these tasks. These tasks were not something you
can do through the World Wide Web. However, with cloud technology
today, you can log onto your bank account via the Internet and be able to
accomplish these tasks.
This image shows how banking has transformed from
exclusively on-premise services to now both on-premise and
cloud services.

Any time you perform any tasks online, you are essentially accessing the
cloud.
What Is Cloud Computing?

Examples of Cloud Computing


Now that we have a visual idea of what the cloud looks like, what exactly is
cloud computing? To put it simply, cloud computing involves any tool
(hardware or software) that can store, process, or access data remotely via
the Internet.

Cloud computing can come in many forms such as email, file storage, and
mobile or web applications. For example, Gmail is one of the most widely
used forms of communication over the Internet, Dropbox is a cloud storage
platform that can be used to store and share files, and Facebook is a social
network application used to connect individuals from all over the world.
With these tools, users can store, process, and access data (pictures, videos,
text messages, etc.) from almost anywhere with just an internet connection.

This image provides three examples of cloud


computing: email, storage, and
communication/network.

Cloud Computing vs. On-Premise


The next big question to ask is: Why choose cloud over on-premise
computing? There are actually several advantages with choosing cloud over
on-premise computing. The table below highlights some of these.

Cloud On-Premise
Everything is hosted on-premise within
Everything is hosted within a the business or organization’s
supplier’s cloud; an internet environment; an internet connection is
connection is required. not required.

All resources are provided to


Upfront costs are required to purchase
the business or organization
the necessary servers and tools; expenses
on a “pay for what you use”
are typically higher.
model.
The cloud provider offers The business or organization is in charge
everything from the software of running the software as well as
itself to how it is managed managing all behind-the-scenes
behind-the-scenes. components.
Depending on the service
provider or service model, Customization is fully dependent on the
customization may be business or organization.
limited.

One of the main reasons why cloud computing is so popular is due to how
easy it is for a business or organization to maintain their data. Tasks such
as automatic software updates, integration, back-ups, and storage
allocation are typically offered by the cloud supplier. One major drawback
of cloud computing, however, is that it relies heavily on wireless access.
Thus, if an event occurs where an internet connection is not available, an
associate or owner may not be able to access their data.

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