It felt like magic back then to imagine storing data and programs on the internet and accessing them anytime anywhere we want, back then when people used to store data and programs on CD or hard drives.
What is Cloud-based Computing
In simple terms, Cloud computing is storing as well as accessing data and programs over the internet instead of storing it in your computer’s hard drive.
How does Cloud Computing work
The cloud is basically a decentralized place to transfer or share information through satellite networks. Every Cloud application has a host (company or organization) and that host is responsible for the maintenance of massive data, security, storage capacity, and computing power to maintain all the information users send to the cloud.
The most prominent companies hosting the cloud are major players like — Amazon (Amazon Web Services), Google (Google Drive), Apple (iCloud), Microsoft (Azure), and other large and small players like DigitalOcean Linode etc. These hosting companies or organisations can sell the rights to use their cloud and store data and programs on their networks.
Cloud Computing service types
All Cloud Computing services can be broken down into three major categories:
- Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is the most common cloud service type. Many of us use it on a daily basis. The SaaS model makes the software accessible for its users through an app or web browser. Requiring no hardware installation or management, and with ease of sharing or storing files or data in seconds, SaaS solutions are a big hit in the business world. Notable examples include Salesforce, Service Now, Google Docs.
- Platform-as-a-service (Paas) is a cloud base where development, testing, management, updating, and organizing the different applications takes place. Implementing PaaS makes software development simpler. It enables developers (users) to develop and work with applications without having to worry about the management or infrastructure of the hosting environment. Notable examples include Azure SQL, Google App Engine.
- Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) provides users with basic computing infrastructure such as storage, networking hardware, servers. IaaS gives access to large platforms and applications to businesses without the need for large physical onsite infrastructures. Notable examples include Azure VNET, Digital Ocean.
Uses
Companies and individuals both use Cloud Computing in different types of unique and exciting ways. In addition of some of the examples already covered, here is a quick look at some other important application areas.
Entertainment
A combination of cloud computing and a vast improvement in internet speed has given rise to media giants like Netflix and Disney + Hotstar which host enormous databases of TV shows and movies with the help of the cloud. The cloud helps these companies and many more like them to exist.
Software testing and development
Cloud computing helped build an in-house app less time-consuming, expensive and costly. It creates a virtual environment for project management and software builds, complete with automated testing. This modern environment provides increased performance, improved agility, and faster time, and is less expensive to companies.
Big Data Analytics
Big Data is required by businesses of all sizes for a variety of reasons. Before the cloud, using Big Data to glean patterns and insights was a complicated and expensive process. The cloud has changed all of that, eliminating the need for in-house development resources while compiling and analyzing data. Nowadays companies can collect data from a variety of sources available connect them to the cloud and dig for insights in real-time.
Backups and archiving
We live in a society where cybercrime has become the norm. There isn’t a day we don’t hear about big data breaches, which may be catastrophic for a number of companies.
Cloud computing is an important and effective answer to the issue of data loss and recovery on physical hard drives. Most individuals owning a computer have experienced the stress of losing irreplaceable files and data. Cloud computing offers an easily accessible backup and archiving solution to keep data and files safe.