What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is an Internet based computing model that allows shared processing of data among different users and devices. It basically provides great storage solutions with third party data centers that rely on sharing of resources over a single network.   Those who advocate the usage of cloud computing, which is more or less anyone using the cloud, report that it allows to save up on infrastructure costs. This allows them shift their attention to more important matters, helping them grow their businesses.  Other advantages that are often stated include improved management, less maintenance, and improved productivity.  Due to easy accessibility and scalability, more people are opting for cloud computing, and are integrating it in their business.

Key Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has the following characteristics:

• Agility, which as a result, improves the user’s ability to re-provision resources.
• Cost reduction since businesses don’t have to invest money in the infrastructure.
• Device independence that means individuals can now access all the data from any device at any location in the world with just a stable Internet connection.
• Maintenance because running cloud computing systems are easy, and one does not need to manually upgrade them.
• Multi-tenancy, which means that there is sharing of resources and a large number of people can enjoy efficient improvement in the systems, shared load capacity, and finally, centralization of the infrastructure with less costs involved.
• Monitored performance that is consistent.
• Increased productivity because multiple users can work at the same time.
• Reliability that improves thanks to advanced security features and disaster recovery.
• Scalability that makes it possible for users to work without hardware constraints.
• Increased security that improves due to centralization of data.

More Characteristics

Here are the five characteristics:

• On-demand self-service
• Broad network access
• Resource pooling
• Rapid elasticity
• Measured service

Service Models

The three service models are:

• Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
• Platform as a service (PaaS)
• Software as a service (SaaS)

Deployment Models

The deployment models of cloud computing include the following types

• Private cloud- It is operated by a single organization that is either managed internally or is managed by a third party.
• Public cloud-It offers services that are open for public use and might actually be free.
• Hybrid cloud- This is the combination of two or more clouds that include (private, community or public).

Other Types of Cloud Computing

Here are some of the other types:

• Community cloud
• Distributed cloud- this include public-resource computing and volunteer cloud
• Intercloud
• Multi-cloud

Limitations of Cloud Computing

The limitations are:

• Lack of customization options that is a great disadvantage.
• Low cost due to economies of scales that means few options at an extremely cheap price.

 

In conclusion, there is still a lot that remains to be explored in the field of cloud computing. Let’s see what the future brings.