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Renting IT services often makes more business sense than the DIY approach of an on-site data center. Spending time and money on generating revenue is always a better choice than taking on the burden (and expense) of an on-prem server room. Cloud computing is the go-to technology behind this mindset. Using the cloud enables a company to rely on ready-made IT resources, a strategy that offers a line of unique business benefits. This article is a complete guide to cloud computing that explains all you need to know about this tech and its role in modern IT. Once you read this post, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether the cloud is the right infrastructure for your business needs. Cloud computing is an umbrella term for any IT resource (server, database, networking, etc.) that the consumer uses over the Internet. The end-user outsources ready-made resources and accesses them online instead of relying on local infrastructure. Other (far less popular) names for the cloud are utility computing and on-demand computing. There are numerous reasons why companies decide to use cloud services:
Most of us use cloud computing every day. When you type a query into Google, the computer on your desk is not the device that finds the answers. The request travels over the Internet to one of Google's thousands of clustered servers that dig out results and send them back to your device. The same principle applies to any online service (sending an email, editing an online file, streaming a movie, listening to music, looking at social media pictures, etc.). Are you a budding MSP looking to add cloud computing to your service portfolio? Here are the cloud services you must include to keep up with competitors. A Brief History of Cloud ComputingThough a relatively new concept to the general public, the cloud is not new at all. Here's a brief synopsis of how cloud computing grew into the tech we know today:
The first time anyone used the term "cloud computing" in its modern context happened during the speech by Google CEO Eric Schmidt on August 9, 2006: "What's interesting [now] is that there is an emergent new model [of computing]. I don't think people have really understood how big this opportunity really is. It starts with the premise that the data services and architecture should be on servers. We call it cloud computing - they should be in a "cloud" somewhere." How Does Cloud Computing Work?From the consumer's perspective, the way the cloud works is simple. As long as there's a working Internet connection, the end-user can access cloud-based files. Operations are more complex from the cloud provider's perspective. A cloud computing infrastructure has two main components:
The backend runs on computers in a large data center capable of handling hundreds or thousands of users. A central server manages the communication between the frontend and backend. This server:
The cloud relies heavily on virtualization and automation:
Check out our article on cloud architecture for an in-depth look at all the moving parts within the cloud's backend. Characteristics of Cloud ComputingHere are the most notable traits of cloud computing:
PhoenixNAP's backup and restore solutions enable you to create cloud-based backups and DR sites that ensure business continuity in every scenario. Types of Cloud ComputingThere are different types of clouds in terms of deployment and service models. Not every option is a right fit for everyone, so knowing what each model offers is vital to choosing a platform that leads to long-term success. Types According to Delivery ModelsLet's first look at the different types of cloud deployments. There are six options:
Refer to our article on cloud deployment models for a close look at each type and a guide to picking the best option for your use case. Private CloudThe private cloud's resources are available only to a select group of users, typically all working for one organization. A private cloud runs either in on-site data centers (in the office of the company that uses the cloud) or within a third-party colocation center. The private cloud requires the owner to build and maintain the underlying infrastructure. This model offers the same versatility and convenience as other clouds, but the strategy enables you to keep hardware management and security measures in-house. Looking for a colo facility in Arizona? Deploy your hardware in our enterprise-grade data center in Phoenix, and we'll supply you with all the power, networking, and bandwidth you need. Check out our colocation services for more details. Public CloudIn a public cloud model, the service provider owns and manages all hardware, software, and supporting infrastructure. The vendor delivers IT resources (servers, storage, etc.) to end-users over the Internet. Third-party providers sell public cloud services on demand, typically charging by the minute or hour of service use. The customer only pays for the central processing unit cycles, storage, and bandwidth they consume. Check out our public vs private cloud article to see which of the two infrastructures is a better fit for your business. Bare Metal Cloud (BMC)Bare metal cloud (BMC) is a hybrid of bare metal and cloud computing. BMC provides direct access to bare metal hardware combined with the self-service properties of cloud computing. As opposed to other cloud computing models, BMC has no virtualization overhead, while it still provides cloud-native environments deployable in less than 2 minutes. The goal of Bare Metal Cloud is to provide all the benefits of bare metal resources combined with the flexibility of cloud computing. BMC is delivered through an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)The virtual private cloud mixes public and private offerings—a VPC user has exclusive access to an isolated segment of a public cloud. This model is a compromise between a private and public model in terms of price and features. You access a dedicated VPC segment via a secure connection (typically a VPN), and you have more security features than what a "vanilla" public cloud offers (custom firewalls, IP address whitelisting, etc.). Hybrid CloudA hybrid cloud combines different on-prem and cloud environments (on-site hosting, colocation, public cloud, private cloud, etc.) to create a unified IT environment. All integrated systems communicate with each other, so there's a strong emphasis on orchestration and automation features. Setting up a hybrid cloud is more complex than a private cloud and has some unique challenges. However, the effort pays off as you place each workload in an ideal IT environment (e.g., you run mission-critical workloads on a private cloud and use a public offering to handle workload bursts or spikes in demand). PhoenixNAP's hybrid cloud solution enables you to unify different IT environments and create a system that's a hand-in-glove fit with your business demands. Community CloudA community cloud is a shared environment that supports a particular user group with the same concerns or goals (e.g., the same mission, cybersecurity requirements, compliance rules, etc.). This model operates either on-site (at one or shared between multiple tenant organizations) or at a third-party facility. A community cloud is typically not open to the general public regardless of where the hosting takes place. Multi-CloudA multi-cloud is an environment in which the user relies on several cloud providers instead of a single vendor. You are free to pick and choose the best services from each provider based on:
Whether you want to minimize cloud outages or take advantage of a particular provider's pricing, a multi-cloud is a worthwhile option. There are some specific security risks, however, so ensure the team considers cloud computing security before you start relying on multiple vendors. Do not confuse multi-cloud with a distributed cloud—the latter is a service that enables users to run a single public cloud infrastructure in multiple locations. Types According to Service TypesEvery cloud computing service belongs in one of the four categories:
Providers often refer to these categories as the "stack" because they build on top of one another. IaaS - Infrastructure-as-a-ServiceInfrastructure as a service (IaaS) means the consumer buys access to raw computing hardware over the Internet. IaaS offers infrastructure components that typically run in the provider's data center, such as:
IaaS also offers a range of services to accompany these components, such as:
IaaS offers the most basic computing services, so the in-house team of a client company must have a high level of IT expertise to run the system efficiently. PaaS - Platform-as-a-ServicePlatform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing service in which a provider delivers hardware and software tools to users. Most PaaS web-based tools aid development and end-users access them via APIs, web portals, or gateway software. For example, a client might both develop an e-commerce website and host its key aspects (including web design, the shopping cart, checkout systems, etc.) on the cloud provider's server. The PaaS vendor provides tools needed for:
PaaS offers all components in the IaaS package, plus hosts and manages operating systems and middleware the client needs to create and run an app. PaaS enables rapid development, so this model also offers on-demand environments for the entire software development lifecycle. Serverless Computing (or Function as a Service (FaaS))In a serverless computing model, the provider is the one who provisions, manages, and scales the cloud-based infrastructure. Developers get to focus on writing code while event-based services (such as AWS Lambda or Azure Functions) handle the execution. Clients only pay for the number of transactions that the function executes. Like with PaaS, the provider is responsible for all routine management (OS updates and patches, security management, capacity planning, cloud monitoring, etc.). When applied correctly, serverless computing leads to:
The name is a bit misleading, though. Serverless computing does not remove the use of servers, but the client's team does not have anything to do with hardware. Instead, developers focus solely on creating apps and event-handling routines, which is why serverless computing is often associated with the NoOps movement. SaaS - Software-as-a-ServiceSoftware as a Service (SaaS) means a client runs the complete app on the cloud and that the provider makes it available to end users over the Internet. Google Documents is the best-known example of SaaS. As the broadest form of cloud computing, SaaS enables a client to think only about how the business and customers use the software, not how to deliver or maintain it. Benefits and Disadvantages of Cloud ComputingLike every tech, cloud computing has its pros and cons. Let's look at the most prominent ones. Benefits of the CloudHere are the main advantages of cloud computing:
Disadvantages of the CloudHere are the main downsides of using cloud computing:
If some of these concerns are a deal-breaker, consider deploying a Bare Metal Cloud server. These single-tenant, bare metal servers eliminate many of the risks above while still providing cloud-like agility (self-service provisioning, various automation features, near-instant scalability, cloud-native environments, etc.).
Cloud Computing ApplicationsThe cloud can serve any IT role, but some use cases make more sense than others. Here are the most common cloud computing applications:
Cloud computing offers low-latency connections, but these levels of responsiveness may not be enough for some use cases. If you have an app with an extremely low tolerance for latency, consider combining the use of the cloud with an edge server. Most Famous Cloud Computing ExamplesHere are a few of the most popular and widely used services that rely on cloud computing:
Using cloud-based apps does not remove the need for hard-to-crack passwords. Our guide to strong passwords teaches how to create credentials that are both effective and easy to remember. Cloud Computing Statistics You Should KnowHere are a few stats that are worth knowing about the current cloud computing market:
Here's another interesting stat: over 80% of companies in the US pulled some public cloud workloads back on-prem in 2021. Our article on cloud repatriation examines whether that high figure is a cause for concern for the cloud computing industry. The Future of Cloud ComputingCloud computing is an ever-evolving industry that's prone to change. Here's a quick overview of what to expect in the coming years:
The Cloud is Not Going Away Any Time SoonIs cloud computing perfect? Certainly not, but its benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, so expect the cloud to continue to play a crucial part in IT going forward. The technology opens many doors that would otherwise remain shut for teams lacking sufficient IT skills. Add the cloud's ability to lower IT costs to the equation, and it becomes clear why this tech is not going away anytime in the foreseeable future. While the cloud is powerful, pursuing cloud migration should not be a rushed matter. Organizations must carefully consider alternatives to cloud computing before committing to any hosting solution. Andreja Velimirovic Andreja is a content specialist with over half a decade of experience in putting pen to digital paper. Fueled by a passion for cutting-edge IT, he found a home at phoenixNAP where he gets to dissect complex tech topics and break them down into practical, easy-to-digest articles. What is the feature of cloud computing that allows the service to change in size?Cloud elasticity is a popular feature associated with scale-out solutions (horizontal scaling), and it allows for resources to be dynamically added or removed when needed.
Does Ceilometer provide charging capabilities?In OpenStack, Ceilometer provides charging capabilities. In Huawei FusionSphere, the memory and CPU resources used by a VM can only be provided by the same cluster. Therefore, a maximum of computing resources that can be used by a virtual machine cannot exceed a sum of resources available to all hosts in the cluster.
Which cloud feature allows the service to change in size or volume in order to meet a users need?Cloud scalability in cloud computing refers to the ability to increase or decrease IT resources as needed to meet changing demand.
Has many of the characteristics of what is now being called cloud computing Mcq?7. ________ has many of the characteristics of what is now being called cloud computing. Explanation: The Internet offers abstraction, runs using the same set of protocols and standards, and uses the same applications and operating systems.
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