What is Cloud computing and how the Cloud works? Explained by Digimagg

What is Cloud computing?

Cloud computing encompasses various hosted services accessible over the internet, such as servers, databases, software, and networks. Users can access files and programs stored in the cloud from anywhere, eliminating reliance on physical hardware. Previously, documents had to be saved on physical drives, making them inaccessible outside the originating computer. Cloud storage mitigates concerns about hardware failures or lost drives by hosting data on networked servers accessible via the internet.

Cloud computing refers to an internet-based hosted service enabling users to access files and programs from any location, thereby removing the requirement of proximity to physical hardware.

Types of Cloud computing services

Cloud computing services are categorized into three primary types: software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) furnishes users with fundamental computing infrastructure functionalities such as data storage, servers, and hardware, all within the cloud. This service model grants businesses access to expansive platforms and applications without necessitating extensive onsite physical infrastructure. Prominent examples of IaaS providers include DigitalOcean, Amazon EC2, and Google Compute Engine.

Software-as-a-Service

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) stands out as the prevalent cloud service type, widely utilized in our daily routines. This model facilitates software accessibility via applications or web browsers. While certain SaaS offerings are complimentary, a considerable number mandate a monthly or annual subscription for continued service provision. With no necessity for hardware installation or administration, SaaS solutions have gained significant traction in the business realm. Prominent instances encompass Salesforce, Dropbox, and Google Docs.

Platform-as-a-Service

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a cloud-based environment that facilitates the development and deployment of web applications. PaaS assists users throughout the entire application lifecycle, enabling them to build, test, deploy, manage, and update applications seamlessly within a single platform. Additionally, the service encompasses development tools, middleware, and business intelligence solutions. Prominent examples of PaaS providers include Windows Azure, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Google App Engine.

Advantages of Cloud computing

Cloud computing offers numerous advantages. Particularly in an era increasingly characterized by remote work, one of its major appeals is its ability to sustain business operations irrespective of geographical location. A report by Grand View Research emphasized the shift towards remote work models as a significant catalyst for the growth of the U.S. cloud computing market, forecasted to experience a compound annual growth rate of 15.7 percent from 2022 to 2030.

Additionally, cloud storage provides a host of other benefits. According to Statista, business leaders have identified increased efficiency, accelerated deployment, collaboration tools, enhanced security, and remote accessibility as some of the top advantages of cloud computing.

How does Cloud computing work?

The cloud functions as a distributed platform for sharing information via satellite networks. Each cloud application operates on a host, with the hosting company tasked with managing extensive data centers. These centers ensure the necessary security, storage capacity, and computing capabilities to uphold all user data transmitted to the cloud.

Cloud computing operates through companies hosting or managing extensive data centers, which furnish the security, storage capacity, and computing resources essential for supporting cloud infrastructure. Clients acquire access to their respective cloud services, along with an ecosystem facilitating communication between devices and applications, typically through payment arrangements.

These hosting companies have the ability to license the usage of their cloud services and store data within their networks. Additionally, they provide end users with an ecosystem enabling seamless communication between devices and applications. For instance, downloading a song on your laptop would automatically synchronize it with the music app on your iPhone.

Types of Cloud computing deployment models

Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud computing merges elements from both public and private cloud models. These two types of clouds are interconnected via the internet and can collaborate by sharing resources as necessary. For instance, if the private cloud encounters storage limitations or experiences data corruption, the public cloud can intervene and provide assistance.

Public Cloud

This is the prevalent model in cloud computing, and major players such as Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and Google operate public clouds. These clouds are accessible from anywhere with appropriate login credentials and via the corresponding web applications.

Private Cloud

This model provides comparable flexibility to the public cloud, but with the infrastructure requirements, including hosting, data storage, and IT staff, managed by either the companies or users of the service. Moreover, the restricted access and direct management of hosting enhance the security measures of the private model.

Applications of Cloud computing

Organizations and individuals leverage cloud computing in diverse and innovative manners. According to the Cloud Infrastructure Report 2021 by cloud management company CloudCheckr, nearly 60 percent of the 304 IT and business stakeholders surveyed reported having over half of their infrastructure already deployed in the cloud.

Leading companies in cloud hosting include major entities such as Amazon (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft (Azure), Apple (iCloud), and Google (Google Drive), alongside numerous other providers, ranging from large corporations to smaller entities.

What are Cloud companies?

Cloud companies, also known as Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), deliver services or applications via the cloud. They manage tools and data centers, enabling customers to access and utilize information in a flexible, manageable, and cost-efficient manner. Customers can conveniently retrieve their cloud-based data through any network connection.

Some prevalent applications of cloud computing encountered in both professional environments and daily activities include cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox, as well as movie and music streaming services, and backup storage solutions for iPhones and other mobile devices.

In addition to the aforementioned examples, let's briefly explore some other significant application domains.

Uses of Cloud Computing

• Analyzing big data for insights
• Communication and collaboration
• Streaming media content
• Data storage backups and recovery
• Enhancing efficiency in business operations

Big data analytics

Prior to the advent of cloud computing, harnessing big data for extracting patterns and insights was both cumbersome and costly. However, the cloud has revolutionized this process, obviating the necessity for in-house development resources when aggregating and analyzing data. Nowadays, organizations can gather data from diverse sources, integrate them with the cloud, and delve into real-time insights.

Communication and Collaboration

The complete range of Google applications operates via the cloud, encompassing tools such as Calendar and Google Chat. Similarly, widely-used apps like Zoom and WhatsApp are also cloud-based, enabling individuals to communicate and collaborate on a global level.

Business processes

In the absence of cloud computing, groundbreaking platforms such as Salesforce and Slack, along with numerous other tools aimed at optimizing and simplifying companies' day-to-day functions, would not have been developed.

Storage backups

Cloud computing addresses the challenge of data loss and recovery encountered with physical hard drives. Many computer users have faced the anxiety of losing valuable files, be it a school assignment, cherished family photos, or critical business documents. Cloud storage provides a readily accessible backup solution, ensuring data security and peace of mind.

Entertainment

The convergence of cloud computing and significantly enhanced internet speeds has led to the emergence of media streaming giants such as Netflix and Hulu. These platforms host extensive libraries of movies and TV shows accessible via the cloud. Cloud storage facilitates the existence of these companies and others like Spotify and Tidal.