Cloud Computing Defined
At its core, cloud computing is a whole new way of accessing, using, and managing technology resources. It’s a model that lets you tap into a shared pool of computing resources (like networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) on-demand. Imagine renting these resources instead of buying and maintaining your own equipment. This pool is constantly available over the internet or other high-speed networks, and you can scale it up or down quickly with minimal effort. This makes cloud computing a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.
The Journey of Cloud Computing: A Historical Look
Cloud computing’s journey from a budding concept to the backbone of the digital economy is a testament to technological progress and innovation. The idea of computing as a utility, like getting electricity from the wall, can be traced back to the 1960s. However, the rise of the internet, along with major improvements in network bandwidth and virtualization technology, were crucial for cloud computing to take its current form.
Virtualization – Cloud Computing’s Cornerstone
Virtualization is the process of partitioning physical systems into logically separated units called virtual machines. Importantly, these virtual machines have all of the same characteristics as physical machines, making them just as suitable for hosting applications. The advent of virtual machines allowed providers to provision relatively powerful physical resources and then partition those off into many smaller VMs.
The Importance of High Speed Networks
The cloud model is made possible by advances in computer networking, high speed networks and the internet. With modern fiber optic technology, the facilities hosting our technology resources can be located anywhere in the world.
The Five Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing
The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing by five key characteristics that underscore its value and transformative potential:
- On-Demand Self-Service: This is the hallmark of cloud computing. You can automatically provision computing resources (like servers or storage) as needed, without waiting for help from a service provider.
- Broad Network Access: Cloud services are accessible from anywhere, at any time, via the internet. This means you can access your data and applications from laptops, smartphones, or tablets, making technology resources more readily available than ever before.
- Resource Pooling: Cloud providers use a multi-tenant model, meaning underlying resources may be shared among multiple customers. This allows providers to dynamically assign and reassign hardware according to user demand.
- Rapid Elasticity: The ability to scale resources up or down automatically ensures that businesses can adapt to changing needs quickly. This helps maintain performance and keeps costs in check.
- Measured Service: Cloud computing operates on a pay-per-use model. This means you only pay for the resources you consume, optimizing both cost and resource utilization.
Cloud Deployment Models
In modern times there are both private and public cloud deployments. Private clouds are restricted to a single business, like a home on private property. Public Cloud offerings are more like renting an apartment in shared building where you rent secured space.
Private Clouds
A private clouds are provisioned by private enterprise and remain closed off from the world. All of the underlying technology required to operate the environment remains the responsibility of the organization. Private clouds are still very much in use today, with specialized use cases often involving the need to maintain a high degree of privacy or customizations over the environment. The main benefit of private cloud is its ability to provision and deprovision technology resources rapidly. The drawback to this deployment model comes with the fact we must still manage all of the infrastructure and hardware.
Public Clouds
Instead of being responsible for hardware and infrastructure, we can opt use a pay-as-you-go model which means we purchase use of technology resources from any number of different Public Cloud providers such as Google, Amazon, or Microsoft. In the public cloud model a great deal of the infrastructure concerns that are normally associated with operating technology are deferred to the provider. This is seen as a strategic move for a business because technology’s purchase and installation come with hefty upfront capital investments.
The public cloud model is seen as strategic, because it allows a business to engage with powerful technology resources while avoiding expensive upfront capital investment.