What is the “Cloud”?Eric Moore

Computer Users Group of GreeleyNovember 8, 2014

“Cloud computing” or the “cloud” is an abstraction for large groups of remote servers that are networked to allow the centralized data storage, and online access to computer services or resources.

The user of a cloud service may need not know the particulars of the hardware and software or where the computing equipment is physically located—only that how to access and use it.

Access is gained by means of a web browser or specialized software installed on the user’s computing device.

Serves the needs of from individuals to small businesses to large enterprises.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

Definition of “Cloud”

A server-class computer, or “server” for short, is a computer that is dedicated to providing a particular service to a user.

Services include websites, databases, file storage, and networking.

Usually a higher-end computing device than a standard home computer. May have multiple high-speed processors, tens of gigabytes of RAM, data redundancy (RAID), and terabytes of disk storage.

Definition of “Server”

Lower costs: the costs of maintaining hardware and software are shared by multiple customers (“tenancy”)

Lower maintenance: the cloud service experts take care of installing software, day-to-day maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrades

Environmentally friendly: can reduce costs for power and air conditioning

Space-saving: the customer need not dedicate rack space for servers

Off-site storage: data backed up to another computer provides quicker disaster recovery

Advantages of the Cloud

Latency: Access across the Internet is slower than having local access to software and data.

Security: Can you trust the service provider to follow best practices for data security?

Availability: Will you lose your data or business if the service should be bought out or go bankrupt?

Privacy: Do you really “own” your data? What if the government decides it’s not technically yours as you do not own the equipment?

Disadvantages of the Cloud

Private: both the data and the software interface are available only to the organization for which a cloud service is set up.

Public: the service is set up for general public use, though users’ data is still private.

Hybrid: client-sensitive data is only accessible to the organization for which it is set up, but may have a public interface (such as a shopping website).

Types of Clouds

Data storage and sharing: data backups, photos, music

Application services: office productivity, finance and accounting

Networking: DNS and DHCP Free Web Email: Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo! Mail Email hosting for businesses Web hosting Blog sites

Types of Cloud Services

Dropbox: offsite storage of files that a user may access anywhere and share with others

Moby, and Carbonite: data backups Picasa, Flickr, iTunes, Amazon Music: multimedia access

& sharing Blogger: weblog publishing tool Office 360: online Office Suite maintained by Microsoft Google Docs: online office productivity like Office 360 Amazon AWS: services for the creation of various types

of services, such as networking, finance, storage, and fulfillment services provided by Amazon.

Specific Examples

Computer Basics: What is the Cloud? What is the Cloud? What is the “Cloud” as Fast as Possible What is Cloud Computing? (a business

perspective)

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