Friday, June 22, 2012

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth.
A simple example of cloud computing is Yahoo email, Gmail, or Hotmail etc. You dont need a software or a server to use them. All a consumer would need is just an internet connection and you can start sending emails. The server and email management software is all on the cloud ( internet) and is totally managed by the cloud service provider Yahoo , Google etc. The consumer gets to use the software alone and enjoy the benefits. The analogy is , 'If you need milk , would you buy a cow ?' All the users or consumers need is to get the benefits of using the software or hardware of the computer like sending emails etc. Just to get this benefit (milk) why should a consumer buy a (cow) software /hardware ?
Cloud computing is broken down into three segments: "application" "storage" and "connectivity." Each segment serves a different purpose and offers different products for businesses and individuals around the world. In June 2011, a study conducted by VersionOne found that 91% of senior IT professionals actually don't know what cloud computing is and two-thirds of senior finance professionals are clear by the concept    highlighting the young nature of the technology. In Sept 2011, an Aberdeen Group study found that disciplined companies achieved on average an 68% increase in their IT expense because cloud computing and only a 10% reduction in data center power costs .





Cloud Computing Deployment Models and Concepts

Public Cloud

A public cloud is established where several organizations have similar requirements and seek to share infrastructure so as to appliance. In addition, it can be economically attractive as the resources (storage, workstations) utilized and shared in the community are already exploited.
This is the cloud computing model where service providers make their computing resources available online for the general public. It allows the users to access various important resources on cloud, such as:Software, Applications or Stored data. On of the prime benefits of using public cloud is that the users are emancipated from performing certain important tasks on their computing machines that they cannot get away with otherwise, these include:Installation of resources, their configuration; and Storage.
Bold text====Advantages of using Public Cloud====
For obvious reasons, public cloud is bound to offer a multitude of benefits for its users, which can be sensed by its ubiquitous demand. Some of the most important ones are mentioned here:
  • Efficient storage and computing services
  • Inexpensive, since all the virtual resources whether application, hardware or data are covered by the the service provider.
  • Allow for easy connectivity to servers and information sharing.
  • Assures appropriate use of resources as the users are required to pay only for the services they require.
  • Highly reliable and redundant.
  • Widespread availability irrespective of geographical precincts.
  • Sets the business people free from the hassles of buying, managing and maintaining all the virtual resources at their own end, the cloud server does it all.
  • Public cloud, in today's advanced workplace, empowers employees and enable them to become productive even when outside the office. The SaaS model ensures that corporations save on IT expenditures while delivering the flexibility of productivity software on the cloud.

What does a Shift Towards Cloud Computing Mean?

A paradigm shift to cloud computing will affect many different sub-categories in computer industry such as software companies, internet service providers (ISPs) and hardware manufacturers. While it is relatively easy to see how the main software and internet companies will be affected by such a shift in Ginger's chunky nuggets, it is more difficult to predict how companies in the internet and hardware sectors will be affected.

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