Cloud Computing Everything You Need To know
Cloud and its meaning
/klaʊd/
Networked computing facilities providing remote data storage and processing services via the internet.
-Oxford
In simple words, the cloud is a collection of servers that help you to store data and access it wherever you are. Cloud can be used by everyone who is connected to the internet. For example, you can store your files in the cloud, so that you can access them from anywhere, on any device. Cloud computing services make use of the internet as the platform for sharing data, applications and services. Cloud computing refers to a group of Internet-based services that allow users to store files, access applications and share information from any Internet-enabled device. Such services allow users to access their files from any computing device that has an Internet connection. The cloud can be a physical place (like a file server) or a virtual location, where software and data are stored on the Internet.
The history of cloud computing
- The term “cloud computing” was first used in 1996 in a Compaq internal document.
- The term “cloud” was originally associated with the concept of distributed computing, which gained popularity in the early 1990s at Apple-spawned General Magic.
- The concept was initially discussed by J.C.R. Licklider, the first director of the Information Processing Techniques Office at the Pentagon’s ARPA division in the 1960s, according to Computerworld.
- Licklider’s idea led to a revolution in computing when, in 1969, Bob Taylor and Larry Roberts developed ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Networks). ARPANET eventually became the precursor of the internet as we know it today.
- After the 1970s, VMs started popping up everywhere, even from big companies like IBM. Since then, private networks (VPNs) have become increasingly popular amongst telecommunications companies.
- Salesforce was the first company to offer applications over the internet in 1999, sparking a new era of Software as a Service.
How does cloud computing work?
While cloud computing has been around for a while now, most people are still trying to get a hang of its concept. Cloud computing is when a service is provided to a user through the Internet, which allows them to perform various tasks online. Cloud computing is made possible by a technology called virtualization. With virtualization, you can create a simulated, digital “virtual” computer. This virtual computer behaves like a physical computer but doesn’t have any physical hardware. A virtual machine is a computer that runs on a physical machine but is isolated from it. This means that the files and applications from one virtual machine are not visible to the other virtual machines even though they are on the same physical machine.
For example, email is an example of cloud computing, in that it is a service that is provided through the Internet. Of course, email is not the only service that can be provided through cloud computing: other web-based services are also examples of cloud computing.
What are the main service models of cloud computing?
Jesse Tate Pulfer
SAAS
Software as a service(SAAS) is a type of cloud computing that allows software developers to build, run and manage their applications entirely in the cloud. Developers do not manage the hardware or software infrastructure on which their applications run. Instead, they use PaaS to access the services, tools and resources they need to develop, run and manage applications on demand.
SaaS can be thought of as renting a house: the landlord maintains the property, but the tenant gets to use it as if they owned it.
Example: Salesforce, MailChimp, and Slack.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Platform-as-a-Service is a cloud computing service model where software, development tools and deployment platforms are provided as a service to software applications developers. These services allow developers to avoid the costs of building and maintaining infrastructure while giving them the flexibility to run their applications in multiple computing environments. This is a very cost-effective model and it is the easiest to adopt and deploy.
PaaS can be compared to renting a construction site, instead of renting the house itself.
Example: Heroku and Microsoft Azure.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing platform that allows a customer to rent virtual servers on demand. This technology allows users to be in full control of their IT and infrastructure. IaaS is cost-effective and scalable because there is no need to upgrade the physical servers. Moreover, the cloud infrastructure is always up-to-date and it is highly manageable.
IaaS is a service provided by a company that leases a virtual plot of land to its customers. Customers can build whatever they want on this land, but they need to provide their building equipment and materials.
Examples: DigitalOcean, Google Compute Engine, and OpenStack.
Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)
Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) is one of the latest trends in the cloud service industry. It is one of the greenest and most power-efficient ways of computing because it helps utilize servers much better than before. It is the new wave of software where the functions are separated from the rest of the code. It helps in creating single-purpose tools that can be used quickly and efficiently.
What if it is possible to rent a house one little bit at a time? For instance, the tenant only pays for the dining room at dinner time, the bedroom while they are sleeping, and the living room while they are watching TV. When they are not using those rooms, they don’t have to pay rent on them. This would be a great way to save money on rent! FaaS, also known as serverless computing.
What Are The Different Types Of Cloud Deployments?
Private Cloud
Private cloud is run by both Computing providers and users for their use. It’s a server, data center, or distributed network that is solely dedicated to one organization
Public Cloud
Public cloud is where the cloud service is provided by a third party, for example in the case of Facebook. It can be publicly available for all to use.
Community Cloud
A community cloud is where a group of people pool their resources together to build a cloud infrastructure that is used by all members of the group.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid Cloud is where the cloud service falls into two or more of the above categories. For example, an organization has its private cloud and uses a public cloud service for particular applications. They may also have a community cloud that is used by partner organizations, and a hybrid cloud that is used for testing purposes.
Benefits Of Cloud Over The Traditional Servers
The cloud provides you with computing power, storage and other services as a utility. You pay for what you use, and your payment is only for the services you use. So when you don’t use the services, you don’t pay for them. This is a huge relief on your budget if you are a startup or small business.
Cloud infrastructure is elastic and on-demand, so you can scale up or down the resources as per your need. Your data is replicated several times and is available around the globe, so you can work from any location. Your data is securely stored in a secure data center, but you can access it from anywhere in the world. You can also manage your infrastructure in a much easier way using ‘Software as a Service which is a cloud-based subscription service.
Lower operational costs
Cloud computing can help reduce infrastructure costs by a substantial amount, making it an attractive option for many organizations. You can save the cost of installation, operation, and maintenance by allowing users to access remote physical storage at a minimum price. In fact, more than 40% of organizations have migrated to cloud services from their legacy systems.
Timely updates
The cloud offers users a sense of relief when it comes to having to regularly maintain software or worry about security updates – this way, they can instead focus on their core businesses. In other words, one of the benefits of using the cloud is that it’s the software vendor’s responsibility to take care of these things so that users don’t have to.
Increased Security
Cloud computing is an increasingly popular option for individuals and small businesses who want to securely store their data. Incase of hardware failures, data breach or data loss, cloud computing makes it easy and efficient to access your data.
No need to buy hardware
Investing in computer hardware for your business can be a large and expensive undertaking. Not only do you have to pay for the equipment upfront, but you also have to factor in the cost of things like cooling systems, electricity, and ongoing support and maintenance. When you add it all up, the true cost of owning and operating the devices is often much higher than the purchase price. Also, physical infrastructure needs maintenance.
Better uptime
The cloud is an excellent way to protect your business from outages. With multiple servers, if one server has an issue, another server will take over immediately. This means minimal downtime for you and your business. Cloud computing ensures better uptime which means happier customers, which will ultimately lead to more revenue for your company.
No need to worry about backup
Cloud servers are highly reliable, so you don’t need to worry about losing data if one server goes down. The data is stored in multiple servers, so if one fails, another will take over. This makes it easier to get the data back if something happens.
Scalability
One of the advantages that companies have when using cloud infrastructure is the ability to quickly and easily adjust the amount of capacity they use to match changes in demand. This gives them the flexibility to respond to changes in their business environment much more quickly than their competitors who may be using more traditional on-premises infrastructure.
Cloud ensures that your software applications will continue to function properly
Future of Cloud Computing – What is Next
The future of cloud computing is looking bright for businesses as they move more and more towards relying on cloud-based platforms for their work. By going beyond the traditional methods of computing, cloud computing is redefining the way we work and making it easier and more efficient for businesses to get their work done. The future is not just of computing, but also of storage, security, everything! Cloud computing has already revolutionized the way we use things like our PCs, smartphones, tablets and even our cars. The following facts illuminate where the future of cloud computing is heading.
Cool Facts on Cloud Computing
- 60% of U.S. IT decision makers trust the security of the cloud.
- The cloud computing market is projected to reach $791.48 billion by 2028
- Almost half of all US government agencies use cloud computing.
- Banking Industry has the most activity within the cloud.
- In the next five years, the public cloud is expected to experience a 44% growth.
Top 10 Companies Using Cloud
S.N | Company | Cloud provider |
1. | Netflix | AWS |
2. | Etsy | Google Cloud |
3. | AWS | |
4. | Coca-Cola | AWS |
5. | eBay | Google Cloud |
6. | Twitter (ad platform) | Google Cloud |
7. | Gameloft | AWS |
8. | Vivino | AWS |
9. | Kroger | Microsoft Azure |
10 | PayPal | Google Cloud |
Market Share of Leading Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers
Adoption of Cloud Computing in Nepal
Cloud computing can help a lot with Nepal and its growing economy. Cloud computing is a technology that lets companies and people access certain kinds of software and hardware, as well as other types of information, over the Internet instead of directly from their local computer. Cloud computing is getting some major traction in the U.S. right now, which is why many are paying close attention to companies in that space.
For instance, Salesforce.com is a high-profile cloud computing company. It offers a software suite that lets companies maintain a web presence and manage different business operations, all of which is accessible via the Internet. This gives SMBs a chance to maintain a web presence without having to invest in on-premises computers and other equipment, as well as employees to oversee and manage that equipment. In other words, cloud computing provides SMBs with flexibility to hire for different skill sets as needed, instead of being stuck with a technology that does everything but doesn’t do anything well.
As of now, adoption of cloud in the IT industry is emerging with a lot of potential for growth for Nepal in the coming years. The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) as one of the 5 priority potential export service sectors in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2010.
IT has the potential to generate high growth, investment, and significant profits in the coming years and is expected to be one of the most significant growth contributors to the Nepali economy.
In this era of technology, business documents and data are very important for companies of all sizes. With the world progressing in the field of technology, it’s crucial for businesses to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and tools in order to stay competitive. We all know that the world is progressing rapidly in the field of technology. We use various technologies in our daily lives which have made our lives much easier and efficient. Technology has also provided us with a means of securing our important data and documents so that they are not lost.
In Nepal, most data centers (DCS) offer managed services, collocation, network support, and cloud services. However, the cloud service providers in Nepal give only a limited type of cloud services with a limited choice. Practically none of any companies provides a professional level full cloud services with an SLA.
Scope of Cloud Computing In Nepal
More applications will be available on the cloud, resulting in increased growth in the market. Additionally, more hybrid cloud adaptation is expected, as well as increased development for cloud security, reliability and availability of data. This global business trend cannot be ignored. Startups are finding that new and emerging cloud technology, such as containers, can help them grow incrementally. We’ll likely see the same pattern around data analytics services, data storage services, the Internet of things (IoT), and other more recent technology trends.
Cloud Computing In Nepalese Perspective: Conclusion
The development of cloud computing requires internet access, and unfortunately, we are still facing limitations on internet access in Nepal. However, the situation is improving.
All of us in the western world admire Nepal for its effective response to the earthquakes and floods. Although internet access in Nepal is wireless rather than fixed line, this may actually be an advantage in the long term as new technologies advance quickly. Once internet access is good, cloud computing in Nepal will develop similarly to the rest of the world. It is going to be very important but not unlimited.
