INTRODUCTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING
What is cloud computing?
The term "cloud" refers to a network or the internet, where technology utilizes remote servers to store, manage, and access data online instead of on local drives. This data can include files, images, documents, audio, video, and more.
- Creating and deploying new applications and services
- Data storage, backup, and recovery
- Hosting blogs and websites
- On-demand software delivery
- Data analysis
- Streaming videos and audio
Why cloud computing?
Both small and large IT companies traditionally provide IT infrastructure through established methods, which require a server room—a fundamental necessity for any IT business.
The server room should contain a database server, mail server, networking equipment, firewalls, routers, modems, switches, systems configured to handle high query loads (QPS), high-speed internet, and maintenance engineers.
Building such IT infrastructure requires a significant financial investment. To address these challenges and reduce costs, cloud computing has emerged as a solution.
Characteristics of Cloud Computing:
The characteristics of cloud computing are as follows:
- Agility: Cloud computing operates in a distributed environment, allowing for the quick and efficient sharing of resources among users.
- High Availability and Reliability: Cloud servers offer high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of infrastructure failures.
- High Scalability: The cloud provides "on-demand" resource provisioning on a large scale, eliminating the need for engineers to manage peak loads.
- Multi-Tenancy: Cloud computing enables multiple users and applications to operate more efficiently by sharing a common infrastructure, leading to significant cost reductions.
- Device and Location Independence: Users can access cloud-based systems from any device or location through a web browser, as the infrastructure is hosted off-site by third parties and accessed via the Internet.
- Simplified Maintenance: Cloud applications require less maintenance since they do not need to be installed on individual devices and can be accessed from various locations, reducing overall costs.
- Cost Efficiency: Cloud computing reduces expenses by eliminating the need for companies to build their own infrastructure and offering a pay-as-you-go model for resource usage.
- Pay-Per-Use Services: Cloud services can be accessed through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), allowing users to only pay for the services and resources they utilize.
