Cloud computing

Chandra Bhushan Kumar
Lect IT Dept

Introduction:
“Cloud computing” to put it simply, means “Internet Computing”. The Internet is commonly visualised as clouds ;hence the term “cloud computing” for computation done through the internet .With cloud computing users can access database resources via the Internet anywhere, for as long as they need, without worrying about any maintenance or management of actual resources. Besides, databases in cloud are very dynamic and scalable.
Cloud computing environments support grid computing by quickly providing physical and virtual servers on which the grid applications can run. Cloud computing should not be confused with grid computing. Grid computing involves dividing a large task into many smaller tasks that run in parallel on separate servers. Grids require many computers, typically in the thousands and commonly use servers, desktop and laptops.
The Cloud is a term that borrows from telephony. Back in the 1990s, data circuits (including those that carried internet traffic) were hard wired between destinations. Then long haul telephone companies began offering Virtual Private Network (VPN) service for data communications. Telephone companies were able to offer VPN-based services with the same guaranteed bandwidth to fixed circuits at a lower cost’ because they could switch traffic to balance utilization when it was fit, thus utilizing their overall network bandwidth more effectively. As a result of this arrangement, it was impossible to determine in advance precisely which paths the traffic would be routed over. The cloud symbol was used to denote that what the responsibility of the provider, and cloud was computing extends this to cover servers as well as the network infrastructure.
Most of our data is stored on local networks with servers that may be clustered and share storage. This approach had at the same time to be developed into stable architecture and provide decent redundancy rightly.
A newer emerging technology, cloud computing, has shown up demanding attention and is changing the direction of the technology vehicle.
In dealing with the abstract term,”the cloud”, it is easy to misunderstand what makes up the structure and function. The basic function is what comes from the “the cloud”. This is primarily output, however this is also false. Input is what makes the cloud tick.
Internet-(“cloud”) based development and use of computer technology(“computing”).In reality it is a paradigm shift where details are abstracted from the users who are no where needing the knowledge of expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure “in the cloud” that supports them. It typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources as a service over the internet.
BENEFITS:
Cloud computing infrastructures can allow enterprises to achieve more efficient use of their IT hardware and software investments. They do this by breaking down the physical barriers inherent in isolated systems, and automating the management of the group of systems as a single entity. Cloud computing is an example of an ultimately virtualized system, and a natural evolution for data centres that employ automated system management, workload balancing, and virtualization of technologies.
CONCLUSION:
In today’s global competitive market, companies must innovate and get the most from its resources to succeed. This requires enabling its employees, business partners, and users with the platforms and collaboration tools that promote innovation, Cloud computing infrastructures are next generation platforms that can provide tremendous value to companies of any size. They can help companies achieve more efficient use of their IT hardware and software investments and provide a means to accelerate the adoption of innovations. Cloud computing increases profitability by improving recourse utilization. Costs are driven by delivering appropriate resources only for the period when those resources are needed. Cloud computing has enabled terms and organizations to streamline lengthy procurement processes.
The term cloud is used as metaphor for the Internet, based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams and is an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it conceals. Typically cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers.
These applications are broadly divided into the following categories: Software as a Service (SaaS), Utility Computing, Web Services, platform as a service (PaaS), Managed Service Providers (MSP), Service Commerce, and internet integration. The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that is often used to represent the internet in flow charts and diagrams.