CLOUD COMPUTING

Definition of cloud computing

Cloud computing is a technology that enables users to
access a wide range of computing resources, including
servers, databases, storage, and applications, over the
internet, without the need for on-premises infrastructure
or local storage. In other words, cloud computing allows
users to rent computing resources on-demand from a
cloud service provider, rather than investing in and
maintaining their own hardware and software.
Cloud computing Invensions
• The invention of cloud computing can be traced back to
the early 2000s. While the concept of network-based
computing had been around for some time, the term
"cloud computing" was first coined in 2006 by Eric
Schmidt, the CEO of Google at the time.
• The roots of cloud computing can be traced back to the
development of grid computing, which was used for
scientific and academic purposes in the late 1990s and
early 2000s. Grid computing was designed to enable the
sharing of computing resources across a network,
allowing users to access processing power and storage
that they did not have locally.
Types of cloud computing
1. Public Cloud: Public clouds are provided by third-party service providers and are accessible to
anyone with an internet connection. They are typically designed to offer a cost-effective and
scalable infrastructure for a wide range of users.
2. Private Cloud: Private clouds are dedicated to a single organization and are hosted either on-
premises or by a third-party provider. They offer greater control and security than public clouds,
but also require a higher level of investment.
3. Hybrid Cloud: Hybrid clouds combine elements of both public and private clouds, allowing
organizations to optimize their computing resources based on their needs. They offer the
flexibility of public clouds with the control of private clouds.
4. Multi-Cloud: Multi-cloud is a type of cloud computing where an organization uses multiple cloud
providers for different functions or services. This approach can provide greater resilience and
flexibility, but also requires more complex management.
5. Community Cloud: Community clouds are shared by several organizations with common
interests, such as regulatory compliance or security requirements. They offer a higher level of
control and security than public clouds, but require a high degree of collaboration and trust
between the community members.
6. Serverless Computing: Serverless computing is a type of cloud computing where the cloud
provider manages the infrastructure and automatically scales resources based on demand.
Cloud computing services
1.Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS is a cloud computing service that provides
customers with access to computing infrastructure, such as virtual machines,
storage, and networking. Customers can use these resources to build their own
applications and services. Examples of IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services
(AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
2.Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS is a cloud computing service that provides
customers with a platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications. PaaS
providers offer a pre-configured platform that includes the necessary infrastructure,
middleware, and development tools, allowing customers to focus on building and
deploying their applications. Examples of PaaS providers include Heroku, Microsoft
Azure, and Google App Engine.
3.Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is a cloud computing service that provides
customers with access to software applications over the internet. SaaS providers
host and manage the software application, and customers can access it through a
web browser or mobile app. Examples of SaaS providers include Salesforce,
Dropbox, and Google Workspace.
Virtualization and cloud computing
• Virtualization is a technology that enables multiple operating
systems and applications to run on a single physical server. This is
achieved by creating virtual machines (VMs) that share the resources
of the physical server, including CPU, memory, and storage. Each VM
is isolated from the others, and can run its own operating system and
applications as if it were running on a dedicated server.
• Cloud computing and virtualization are closely related, as
virtualization is a key enabling technology for cloud computing. In a
cloud computing environment, virtualization is used to create and
manage virtualized infrastructure that can be easily scaled up or
down as needed. This can include virtual servers, storage, and
networking resources, which are provisioned on-demand by the cloud
service provider.
Difference between Grid computing
and Cloud computing
1.Resource Ownership: In grid computing, resources are owned by different
organizations or users, and are shared for specific tasks. In cloud computing,
resources are owned and managed by a cloud service provider, and are shared
among different users.
2.Scalability: Cloud computing is designed to be highly scalable, allowing resources
to be quickly provisioned or de-provisioned as needed. Grid computing is less
scalable, and may require additional resources to be added manually as demand
increases.
3.Management: Cloud computing is typically managed centrally by a cloud service
provider, with users accessing resources through a web interface or API. Grid
computing may be managed either centrally or in a decentralized manner, and
may require more complex management tools.
4.Service Models: Cloud computing offers a range of service models, including
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-
Service (SaaS). Grid computing is typically focused on providing computing
resources for specific applications or tasks, rather than offering a range of services
Difference between Utility
computing and Cloud computing
• Utility computing refers to the practice of providing computing resources, such as processing
power, storage, and network bandwidth, on a pay-per-use basis, much like a utility company
provides electricity or water. Customers can purchase these resources on demand, without
having to invest in their own infrastructure.
• Cloud computing, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses a range of
services, including infrastructure, platform, and software services, that are delivered over the
internet on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Cloud computing services are typically delivered
by third-party providers, who manage the underlying infrastructure and provide customers with
access to a range of computing resources and services.
• While utility computing is a key part of cloud computing, it is just one aspect of the broader
cloud computing model. Utility computing is focused on providing on-demand computing
resources, while cloud computing is focused on providing a range of computing services that
can be accessed over the internet. Additionally, cloud computing is often associated with
virtualization technology, which allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical
machine, while utility computing does not necessarily require virtualization.
• In summary, utility computing and cloud computing are related concepts, but utility computing
is a narrower subset of cloud computing that focuses on providing on-demand computing
resources on a pay-per-use basis
Security and Privacy concerns in
cloud computing
• While cloud computing offers many benefits, such as cost savings, scalability, and flexibility, there are also several
security concerns that need to be addressed. Here are some of the most common security concerns for cloud computing:
1. Data breaches: One of the biggest security concerns for cloud computing is the risk of data breaches. Cloud providers
store large amounts of sensitive data, including personal and financial information, and this data is a prime target for
hackers.
2. Data loss: Another concern is the risk of data loss. Cloud providers can experience outages, hardware failures, or other
issues that can result in data loss. This can be especially concerning if the lost data is sensitive or confidential.
3. Insider threats: There is also a risk of insider threats, where employees or contractors of the cloud provider may
intentionally or unintentionally access or disclose sensitive data.
4. Compliance and regulatory issues: Cloud providers must comply with various regulations and standards, such as HIPAA
and GDPR, and failure to comply can result in legal and financial penalties.
• While cloud computing offers many benefits, such as cost savings, scalability, and flexibility, there are also several
security concerns that need to be addressed. Here are some of the most common security concerns for cloud computing:
1. Data breaches: One of the biggest security concerns for cloud computing is the risk of data breaches. Cloud providers
store large amounts of sensitive data, including personal and financial information, and this data is a prime target for
hackers.
2. Data loss: Another concern is the risk of data loss. Cloud providers can experience outages, hardware failures, or other
issues that can result in data loss. This can be especially concerning if the lost data is sensitive or confidential.
3. Insider threats: There is also a risk of insider threats, where employees or contractors of the cloud provider may
intentionally or unintentionally access or disclose sensitive data.
4. Compliance and regulatory issues: Cloud providers must comply with various regulations and standards, such as HIPAA
and GDPR, and failure to comply can result in legal and financial penalties.
Benefits of cloud computing
1. Scalability: Cloud computing enables organizations to quickly and easily scale their computing
resources up or down as needed, without the need for significant investment in hardware or software.
This can help organizations to respond quickly to changes in demand or business needs, and avoid
overprovisioning resources that may go unused.
2. Cost Savings: By using cloud computing, organizations can avoid the costs associated with purchasing
and maintaining their own hardware and software. This can include costs such as capital expenditures,
maintenance, and upgrades, and can result in significant cost savings over time.
3. Flexibility: Cloud computing allows users to access their applications and data from anywhere with an
internet connection, using a wide range of devices. This can enable remote work and collaboration,
and can help organizations to be more agile and responsive to changing business needs.
4. Security: Cloud service providers typically offer robust security measures, such as encryption, multi-
factor authentication, and intrusion detection, to protect users' data and applications. Additionally,
cloud computing can provide disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, ensuring that
organizations can quickly recover from any disruptions or outages.
5. Improved Efficiency: By using cloud computing, organizations can streamline their IT infrastructure and
reduce the time and effort required to manage and maintain their computing resources. This can free
up IT staff to focus on other tasks, and can help organizations to be more efficient and productive.
Application of cloud computing
1.Business applications: Cloud computing can be used to host business applications such as
customer relationship management (CRM) systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems, and human resource management (HRM) systems. This allows companies to access
these applications from anywhere with an internet connection, and also provides scalability
and cost savings.
2.Data storage and backup: Cloud computing can be used for data storage and backup, allowing
companies to store large amounts of data without having to invest in expensive hardware. This
also provides redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.
3.E-commerce: Cloud computing can be used to host e-commerce platforms, allowing
businesses to sell products and services online. Cloud-based e-commerce platforms provide
scalability and flexibility, as well as security features such as encryption and firewalls.
4.Healthcare: Cloud computing can be used in the healthcare industry for data storage and
analysis, as well as for telemedicine applications. Cloud-based healthcare systems can provide
real-time access to patient data, and also enable collaboration between healthcare providers.
5.Education: Cloud computing can be used in education for online learning platforms and e-
learning management systems. This provides students and teachers with access to
educational resources from anywhere with an internet connection, as well as collaboration and
communication tools.
How do cloud computing relate with
other industries
1.Cloud service providers: Cloud service providers (CSPs) are the companies that offer cloud
computing services to customers. These companies, such as Amazon Web Services,
Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, are the primary players in the cloud computing market.
They invest heavily in building and maintaining their cloud infrastructure, and offer a range
of services such as virtual machines, storage, and databases.
2.Software as a service (SaaS) companies: SaaS companies are those that offer software
applications to customers via the cloud. These companies rely on cloud infrastructure to
host their applications and provide access to customers. Examples of SaaS companies
include Salesforce, Dropbox, and Slack.
3.Internet of Things (IoT) companies: IoT companies are those that build and deploy devices
that are connected to the internet. These devices generate a large amount of data, which
needs to be stored and analyzed. Cloud computing provides a cost-effective and scalable
way to manage IoT data, which is why many IoT companies rely on cloud infrastructure.
4.E-commerce companies: E-commerce companies rely on cloud computing to host their
online stores and manage their customer data. Cloud infrastructure allows these companies
to quickly scale their operations and handle large amounts of traffic during peak periods,
such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Case study
• One example of a successful implementation of cloud computing is Netflix. Netflix is a
streaming video service that provides on-demand access to a vast library of movies and
television shows. The company relies heavily on cloud computing to deliver its services to
millions of customers around the world.
• Netflix uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its cloud provider, which allows the company to
easily scale its infrastructure to meet customer demand. By using AWS, Netflix is able to
quickly deploy new servers and storage resources as needed, without having to invest in its
own hardware.
• Netflix also uses AWS to improve the performance and reliability of its service. For example,
Netflix uses Amazon Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) to distribute incoming traffic across
multiple servers, ensuring that the service remains available and responsive even during
periods of high demand. Netflix also uses Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS) to manage
the flow of data between different parts of its infrastructure.
• In addition to its use of AWS, Netflix has also developed its own cloud-based technologies to
improve the performance of its service. For example, Netflix developed the open-source tool
called Chaos Monkey, which is used to simulate failures in the company's infrastructure. By
intentionally causing failures in its own systems, Netflix is able to identify and fix potential
problems before they impact customers.
Impacts of cloud computing
1. Scalability and flexibility: Cloud computing provides businesses with a highly scalable and flexible
infrastructure. This allows businesses to quickly and easily scale up or down as their needs change,
without having to invest in expensive hardware or infrastructure.
2. Cost savings: Cloud computing can provide significant cost savings for businesses. By outsourcing
infrastructure and services to cloud providers, businesses can avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and
maintaining their own hardware, as well as the ongoing costs of staffing and maintaining their own data
centers.
3. Accessibility and mobility: Cloud computing allows users to access their data and applications from
anywhere with an internet connection. This provides greater mobility and flexibility for employees, who
can work from home or while on the go, and also allows businesses to collaborate and communicate more
effectively.
4. Innovation: Cloud computing has enabled the development of new and innovative applications and
services that were not possible before. For example, the cloud has enabled the rise of SaaS applications,
which provide businesses with a cost-effective and scalable way to access software applications.
5. Improved security: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures to protect their customers' data
and infrastructure. This can provide businesses with better security than they could achieve on their own,
as they benefit from the expertise and resources of their cloud provider.
6. Environmental impact: Cloud computing can have a positive impact on the environment, as it allows
businesses to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint by outsourcing their infrastructure to
more efficient and sustainable data centers.