Cloud Computing
February 18, 2022 | Lakshani Peiris
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a widely used concept by business organizations and individuals all over the world. It provides almost all kind of services as physical computing resources such as servers, networking, storage, data center spaces, hardware and software tools and e.tc. Business organizations and individuals can demand services from cloud service providers over the internet, according to their needs and pay-as-you-go basis.
5 Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing
• On-demand self-service – Being able to access cloud resources using a simple interface without interaction of human with each service provider.
• Broad network access – Cloud resources can access through the standard mechanisms and platforms such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and workstations.
• Resource pooling – Resources dynamically assigned and re-assigned without needing customers to concern the physical location of the resources.
• Rapid elasticity – Resources can be accessed when needed and scale back when no longer needed
• Measured service – You only pay for what you use or reserve as you go (pay-as-you-go). Resource usage is monitored measured and reported transparently based on utilization.
The main reason to convert from traditional IT environment to Cloud environment is so then companies don’t have to buy or maintain their own computing infrastructure. Companies don’t have to worry about updating applications or operating systems, decommissioning and disposing hardware or software when it is out of date, security or managing large no of IT resources including the IT related human resources. Rather, a company specialized in IT service will provide a better service.
Cloud Deployment models
Private Cloud
Cloud computing environment which all the hardware and software dedicated to a single user. In addition to self-service, scalability and elasticity, private cloud provides higher level of security and privacy. Companies can build an infrastructure for themselves and the IT team of the company would manage the cloud environment. Two models of private cloud are Iaas – Infrastructure as a service and Paas - Platform as a service.
Public Cloud
Cloud service available for general public. Anyone who wants to use or purchase them can access the services. Public cloud appears in all three models Iaas, Paas ans Saas.
Hybrid Cloud
Cloud service which is a combination of both public and private cloud. As an example data might in private cloud while some projects in public cloud. Hybrid cloud service allows users to optimal the cloud service and find the best options.
Cloud computing service models
1. Infrastructure as a service (Iaas) – You get access to infrastructure and physical computing resources such as servers, networking, storage and data center space without the need to manage or operate them.
2. Platform as a service (Paas) – You get access to the platform that is hardware and software tools, usually those needed to develop and deploy over the internet.
3. Software as a service (Saas) – Software licening and delivery model in which software and applications are centrally hosted and licensed on a subscriptions basis, and sometimes also referred to as on demand software.
Top Cloud service providers
Amazon Web Services
AWS is the most famous cloud computing service in the world. With 84 availability zones, 40+ compliance certificates for the global, US and other countries and offering over 165 fully featured services, AWS has millions of users all around the world.
Key services offer - Compute, storage, database, analytics, networking, machine learning, and AI, mobile, developer tools, IoT, security, enterprise applications, blockchain.
Microsoft Azure
One of the fastest growing cloud service. Azure provides the most advanced and maximum number of intelligent products and services. Azure is available in 54 regions and 140 countries with 90 compliance certifications for global, US government, region-specific, and industry-specific.
Key services offer - Compute, storage, mobile, data management, messaging, media services, CDN, machine learning and AI, developer tools, security, blockchain, functions, IoT.
Google Cloud Platform
Google cloud is Google’s cloud. The service available in 20 regions, 61 zones and 200+ countries.
Key services offer - AI and Machine Learning, API Management, Compute, Containers, Data Analytics, Databases, Developer Tools, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Hybrid and Multi-cloud, Internet of Things, Management Tools, Media and Gaming, Migration, Networking, Security and Identity, Serverless Computing, and Storage.
Google products are also offered in the cloud, including G Suite, Google Maps Platform, Google Hardware, Google Identity, Chrome Enterprise, Android Enterprise, Apigee, Firebase, and Orbitera.
IBM Cloud
IBM cloud is developed by IBM is a cloud service for business.
Key services offer - Compute, storage, databases, networking, big data, cloud AI, management tools, Identity and security, IoT, API platform.
When organizations move from the traditional IT environment to cloud environment, they have to consider in several factors. First they have to consider how much it costs their existing infrastructure, the cost of data centers, extras such as leased lines, physical hardware, servers and details like specifications like CPUs, cores and RAM, plus the cost of storage. They also have to consider the cost of applications - whether you plan to dump them, re-hosting them in the cloud unchanged, completely rebuilding them for the cloud or buying an entirely new SaaS package each option will have different cost implications. Organizations must consider their business needs, investment viabilities, risk capacity in order to create a cloud adoption strategy that delivers desired benefits without causing business disruptions and security, compliance or performance issues.
Future of Cloud Computing
As you can see, cloud computing has been a technology trend that grows day by day. According to the Gartner, the market revenue of cloud computing would be $482 billion in 2022.
In 2022, new cloud trends such as, hybrid and multi cloud environments, Internet of things combined with cloud computing, AI and ML with cloud computing, cloud solutions supporting sustainability, the rise of server less cloud computing and many more would take place in the industry.
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