Cloud computing

 

Cloud computing is a technology model that enables access to a shared pool of computing resources and services over the Internet. Instead of owning and maintaining physical servers and data centers, organizations can use cloud computing services provided by cloud service providers. These services include computing power, storage, databases, networking, software, and more.

Cloud computing services can be categorized into several main models:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the Internet. Users can rent virtual machines, storage, and networking components, allowing them to run and manage their operating systems and applications.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS offers a platform that includes the underlying infrastructure, development tools, and services to build, deploy, and manage applications. Users focus on coding and application development while the platform handles the underlying infrastructure.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS delivers software applications over the Internet on a subscription basis. Users can access and use software without worrying about installation, maintenance, or infrastructure management.

4. Function as a Service (FaaS): FaaS, called serverless computing, allows developers to run individual functions or code snippets in response to even needing to manage servers or infrastructure.

Deployment models for cloud computing

Cloud computing offers several deployment models that organizations can choose from based on their specific needs and requirements. The three cloud computing deployment models are cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid. 

Cloud-based deployment

• Run all parts of the application in the cloud.

• Migrate existing applications to the cloud.

• Design and build new applications in the cloud.

In a cloud-based deployment model, you can migrate existing applications to new can design and build onesions in the cloud. You can build those applications on low-level infrastructure that requires your IT staff to manage them. Alternatively, you can build them using core infrastructure, which reduces the management requirements of the core infrastructure.

For example, a company might create an application consisting of virtual servers, databases, and networking components that are fully based in the cloud.

On-premises deployment

• Deploy resources by using virtualization and resource management tools.

• Increase resource utilization by using application management and virtualization technologies.

On-premises deployment is also known as a private cloud deployment. In this model, resources are deployed on-premises by using virtualization and resource management tools.

For example, you might have applications that run on technology that is fully kept in your on-premises data center. Though this model is much like legacy IT infrastructure, its incorporation of application management and virtualization technologies helps to increase resource utilization.

Hybrid deployment

• Connect cloud-based resources to on-premises infrastructure.

• Integrate cloud-based resources with legacy IT applications.

In a hybrid deployment, cloud-based resources are connected to on-premises infrastructure. Yovaluationsnt to use this approach in several situations. For example, you have legacy applications better maintained on-premises or government region-premises For your business to kTanyin records on-premises.

For example, suppose that a company wants to use cloud services that can automate batch data processing and analytics. However, the company has several legacy applications that are more suitable on-premises and will not be migrated to the cloud. With a hybrid deployment, the company could keep the legacy applications on-premises while benefiting from the data and analytics services running in the cloud.

Benefits of cloud computing

Cloud computing offers numerous benefits to organizations and individuals. Some of the key advantages of adopting cloud computing include:

Trade upfront expense for variable expense

Upfront expense refers to data centers, physical servers, and other resources you must invest in before using them. Variable expense means you only pay for computing resources you consume instead of investing heavily in data centers and servers before you know how to use them.

By taking a cloud computing approach that offers the benefit of variable expense, companies can implement innovative solutions while saving on costs.

Stop spending money to run and maintain data centers

Computing in data centers often requires you to spend more money and time managing infrastructure and servers. 

A benefit of cloud computing is the ability to focus less on these tasks and more on your applications, and customers don't top guessing capacity.

With cloud computing, you don't have to predict how much infrastructure capacity you will need before deploying an application. 

For example, you can launch Amazon EC2 instances when needed and pay only for the computer, dealing with unused resources or having to deal with limited resources, you can access only the capacity you need. You can also scale in or scale out in response to demand.

Benefit from massive economies of scale

By using cloud computing, you can achieve a lower variable cost than you can get on your own. 

Because usage from hundreds of thousands of customers can aggregate in the cloud, providers, such as AWS, can achieve higher economies of scale. The economy of scale translates into lower pay-as-you-go prices. 

Increase speed and agility

The flexibility of cloud computing makes it easier for you to develop and deploy applications.

This flexibility provides you with more time to experiment, and obtaining new resources you need may take weeks to obtain the new resources you need. By comparison, cloud computing enables you to access new resources within minutes.

Go global in minutes

The global footprint of the AWS Cloud enables you to deploy applications to customers worldwide quickly while providing them with low latency. This means that even if you are located in a different part of the world than your customers, customers can access your applications with minimal delays. 

Later in this course, you will explore the AWS global infrastructure in greater detail. You will examine some services you can use to deliver content to customers worldwide.

 

Cloud computing has revolutionized how organizations manage and deliver IT resources and services. It offers cost savings, scalability, flexibility, and the ability to focus on core business activities rather than IT infrastructure management. Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform offer cloud services catering to various business needs.