Cloud Computing Introduction: Part 2
This is an additional segment in our
exploration of cloud computing.
Let's continue learning and deepen our
understanding.
Cloud computing makes powerful tools
available over the internet.
Providers offer virtual machines, software
versions of real computers.
They also offer virtual storage made by
combining multiple networked devices.
Along with that, you get access to many
software applications.
All of this is delivered online whenever
you need it.
Let's say you want to set up a Linux
virtual machine.
If you have a cloud account, you can
launch one in just a few minutes, right
from your web browser.
Once it's running, you can use it just
like a physical Linux machine.
You can set up a web server, install a
database, or do anything else you normally
do on Linux.
Along with virtual servers, cloud
providers also offer virtual storage.
It lets you store data across multiple
devices, all managed in the cloud.
For example, if you need extra space to
store a large collection of media files,
you
can use a cloud provider storage service.
It's fast, flexible, and ready whenever
you need it.
You just need an account with a cloud
provider and a web browser, no need to
shop around to buy the storage and waste
additional time to set up the device, such
as installing a driver before using the
storage.
On the other hand, cloud computing also
lets users, like organizations, build
and offer their own software applications.
Examples include Gmail, Office 365, or
even platforms like Facebook
So from what we've discussed, launching a
virtual machine or accessing virtual
storage only
requires a cloud account and a web
browser.
In simple terms, cloud services are
delivered over the internet.
Still, in general, there's nothing
particularly unique about the hardware
itself.
The hardware used in cloud computing is
pretty much the same as what you'd find in
a traditional on-premise data center
servers, storage, and networking gear
So how is cloud computing different from
traditional non-cloud computing?
The key difference lies in the use of
cloud architecture.
Cloud architecture brings together various
technology components to enable resource
pooling through
virtualization.
This means virtual machines run as an
abstraction layer on top of physical
machines.
In simple terms, cloud architecture
organizes massive hardware like compute,
storage
and network resources into a single
resource pool and makes it accessible over
the internet
You might be wondering, why is there so
much buzz around cloud computing?
Well, as we've seen, it offers many
advantages.
One major benefit is how it has
transformed the way organizations develop,
deliver, and
manage software.
While these tasks have been done for
decades, cloud computing has made the
process much faster
and more accessible on a global scale, and
often at a lower cost, though not always
That's because the hardware, software
tools and everything else needed for
development, testing and
deployment can now be set up quickly and
easily.
It can also be more affordable as cloud
providers offer a range of flexible
pricing options
While cloud computing offers many
benefits, it's not always the right fit
for every use case
That's why it's important to perform a
cost-benefit analysis to see if it makes
sense for
your specific needs or organization.
