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What Is Cloud Computing? – Types, Examples & Benefits

Last Modified On: August 6, 2024

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Cloud Computing is the one of the best technology developed in recent decades that paved the way for all other technological development. Individuals and business organizations use it to make the job easy and fast. It delivers most of the services online, and hence the benefits it offers are also more. Other technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain, and others, also use it. This article is a comprehensive guide to cloud computing and explains everything you need to know about this technology and its role in modern IT. After reading this post, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether the cloud is the right infrastructure for your business.

Before moving forward, lets us discuss the cloud computing definition

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is the concept of providing various services over the internet. It transforms the computing infrastructure into an easier and more accessible manner. Moreover, we can easily access applications remotely, store them remotely, and move everything to the cloud-based services. The base of cloud computing is the internet. If you have internet access, you can access all your needs remotely. It is mainly based on the Information Technology resources available physically. The basic concept is to locate all the infrastructure in any different location and access it easily and at any time. Many organizations prefer to move to cloud computing, considering its advantages. In conclusion, it reduces the cost of purchasing different computing components on their own.

Cloud computing is a method of gaining access to actual data centers, servers, storage, computing power, databases, networking components, etc. It’s a capsule that contains all of the infrastructural components. You can access them as per the requirement. In addition, there are many different cloud service vendors in the market, and you have to choose based on your needs and cost. Above all, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure are the top performers in the market with experience and features available.

How Does Cloud Computing Work?

To better understand how a cloud computing system works, divide it into two parts: the front end and the back end. They are linked by a network, most commonly the Internet. The front end is the computer user’s or client’s side. The system’s back end is referred to as “the cloud.”

The front end is where clients connect to the Internet for data. This includes computers, computer networks, applications, and any other means clients can connect to the cloud computing system.

The back end consists of everything required for cloud computing services. This is the edge of the cloud computing provider. This includes servers, computers, data storage systems, programs, and all other equipment required to provide various cloud computing services. Various applications are housed in the cloud computing system. It assigns each computer program its dedicated server. The network is what connects the front and back end. The network is the Internet. It serves as the link between clients and the cloud.

Who Uses Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is used for both personal as well as organizational needs. To answer who does need cloud computing, you need to know where it is helpful. It widely uses software development, data backup, storage, disaster recovery, virtual desktops for employees, data analytics, etc. In addition, every department in the business organization needs cloud computing to make things easier. Apart from Information Technology, cloud computing is used in various industries like manufacturing, medical, education, gaming & entertainment, agriculture, etc.

The actual need for cloud computing is to reduce the organization’s space, teams, employees, etc., to run the organizational needs. Business organizations demand cloud computing for all their needs. Irrespective of the organization’s size, the processes used are the same. In addition, it helps organizations rent the computing needs from the cloud vendors. With this, the need to set up specialized infrastructure will be reduced. Organizations pay as per the need of the features and the usage. In conclusion, the implementation and the maintenance costs of the server, storage, network, and database are reduced.

Cloud Computing Services

Cloud services are infrastructure, platforms, or software hosted by a third party and made available to users via the internet. As-a-Service solutions are classified into IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Each facilitates user data flow from front-end clients to the cloud service provider’s systems and back—but what is provided varies. The following sections explain three categories in brief.

Infrastructure as a Service

Infrastructure as a Service, abbreviated as IaaS, is the fundamental building block of cloud computing. It usually gives you access to networking features, computers (virtual or physical), and data storage space. Infrastructure as a Service gives you complete flexibility and management control over your IT resources. It is most similar to existing IT resources with which many IT departments and developers are already familiar. Examples include:

Dropbox, file storage and sharing system
Rackspace, which provides data, security, and infrastructure services
Microsoft Azure, which provides backup and disaster recovery services, hosting, and other services

Platform as a Service

Platforms as a service (PaaS) take care of the infrastructure (usually hardware and operating systems) so that organizations don’t have to. This lets you focus on deploying and managing your apps. In addition, this makes you more efficient because you don’t have to worry about getting resources, planning for capacity, maintaining software, making patches, or doing any other kind of heavy lifting that isn’t specific to your app. Examples include:

Google App Engine and Heroku, which enable developers to develop and serve apps

Software as a Service

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a service that provides its users with a software application that the cloud service provider manages. SaaS apps are typically web or mobile apps that users access through a web browser. The user is responsible for software updates, bug fixes, and other general software maintenance, and they connect to cloud applications via a dashboard or API.

SaaS also eliminates the need for each user’s computer to install an app locally, allowing greater group or team access to the software. Examples include:

Google Apps like Google Drive and Calendar
Square, an online payment processor
Slack, which allows users to collaborate and chat with one another

Cloud Computing Deployment Models

The cloud deployment model identifies the type of cloud environment based on ownership, scale, access, and the nature and purpose of the cloud. Furthermore, different deployment models are used depending on the location and who manages the infrastructure.

To make the best use of a specific cloud deployment type, you must first understand what each deployment model can do, its characteristics, and its advantages and disadvantages.

Public Cloud

The public cloud, as the name implies, is open to the general public, and resources are shared among all users. Anyone from anywhere can access them via the internet. One of the most common cloud deployment models is the public cloud. Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are among the largest public cloud providers.

The vendor’s data center hosts this computing model. The public cloud model makes resources like storage and applications available to the general public via the internet. Furthermore, it fulfills all requests; resources are nearly limitless.

Characteristics of Public Cloud

Following are the essential characteristics of the Public Cloud:

Uniformly designed Infrastructure
Scale economies
SLA ensures that all users have a fair share with no priority
Operates on the Pay-as-you-go basis
It is a multi tenant architecture; therefore, data is highly likely to be leaked

Advantages of Public Cloud

Simple to use: The great thing about having a managed service is that there is very little maintenance for you and your team to do. The setup is taken care of, and there is no need for you to develop your tools because this is also taken care of.

Cost: Because of the way services are billed, you do not pay for items that you do not use. As a result, you can pay more when you need more resources and then reduce your payments when things return to normal.

Performance and dependability: Most businesses’ primary concern is uptime. When your systems fail, your business suffers. Many of these cloud service providers provide excellent uptime and service availability.

Disadvantages of Public Cloud

There is less control: You must have command over the systems that host your business applications. If a public cloud platform fails, you do not have access to ensure continuity, as you would in a traditional server room or data center environment

Security and privacy: Segmentation must be carried out to the highest standard to ensure no cross-contamination between clients using the same hardware on a public cloud

Simple environments: Most businesses have specific needs for customized services. Many cloud platforms provide only basic functionality with little to no customization options

Private Cloud

The private cloud deployment model is a single user or customer’s dedicated environment. You do not share any hardware with other users because all of the hardware is yours.

Sharing your hardware is not necessary because it is a one-to-one environment for single use. The primary distinction between private and public cloud deployment models is how the hardware is handled. It’s also known as “internal cloud,” which refers to the ability to access systems and services within a company or across borders.

Characteristics of Private Cloud

Here are the essential characteristics of the Private Cloud:

It has a non-uniformly designed infrastructure
Extremely low risk of data leaks
Internal Infrastructure to manage resources easily
Offers End-to-End Control
SLA is poor, but you can implement custom policies

Advantages of Private Cloud

Increased Control: You are the property’s sole owner. As a result, you gain complete control over service integration, information technology operations, policies, and user behavior
Legacy System Support: This method is intended for legacy systems that cannot connect to the public cloud
Customization: A private cloud deployment, as opposed to a public cloud deployment, allows a company to tailor its solution to meet its specific needs
Data Protection and Privacy: It is appropriate for storing corporate information that only authorized personnel can access. However, improved access and security can be achieved by segmenting resources within the same infrastructure

Disadvantages of Private Cloud

Scalability is reduced: With fewer clients, private clouds are scaled within a certain range
Expensive: Private clouds are more expensive because they provide personalized services

Hybrid Cloud

Public and private clouds are combined in a hybrid cloud deployment model. A hybrid cloud computing model is one in which a company uses the public cloud but owns on-premises systems and connects the two. As a result, they operate as a single system, which is an advantageous model for a gradual transition into the public cloud.

Because of security concerns or data protection requirements, some businesses cannot operate solely in the public cloud. As a result, they may opt for a hybrid cloud to meet their needs while also reaping the benefits of a public cloud. For example, it allows on-premises applications containing sensitive data to coexist with public cloud applications.

Characteristics of Hybrid Cloud

Here are the Characteristics of the Hybrid Cloud:

Cost-effective Cloud Deployment Model
Offers better security and privacy
Makes data and application portability easier
Provides increased scalability

Advantages of Hybrid Cloud

Flexibility: One of the best aspects of this cloud type is its adaptability. You can integrate the best features of each cloud type into your solution
Scalability: Any platform’s limitations do not bind you. This means you can scale in response to user demand

Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud

Cost: When using a hybrid cloud, you may find yourself overspending. In comparison to other types of clouds, hybrid clouds are relatively inexpensive. However, there is a risk of overspending if you are not careful in selecting the right services
Data silos. If you use public and private services, you must ensure that your data is properly separated. This can increase your company’s security, compliance, and auditing requirements

Community Cloud

Community clouds are cloud-based infrastructure models that allow multiple organizations to share resources and services following regulatory standards. It provides organizations with a shared platform and resources to work on their business requirements. This Cloud Computing model is run and managed by community members, third-party vendors, or both. Members of the community cloud are organizations that share common business requirements.

Advantages of Community Cloud

Cost reduction
Enhanced security, privacy, and reliability
Ease of data sharing and collaboration

Disadvantages of Community Cloud

Very expensive compared to the public deployment model
Sharing of fixed storage and bandwidth capacity
Customization in rigid

Major Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing offers several benefits for both personal usage and business organizations. Following are some of the major benefits of cloud computing.

Cost-saving is the primary benefit as the need for installing servers and storage reduce
As everything is accessible via the internet, the accessibility and the speed highly increases
The organization’s productivity increases with the increase in access, speed, and features with cloud computing
The computing performance is improved compared to traditional computing modes
With cloud computing, your business will be highly reliable along with the boost in security aspects

We also covered more on the cloud in our previous blog, “Best practices to use DevOps in Cloud.”

Cloud Computing Salary

Cloud computing is one of the most in-demand skills in the job market, with the top 16% of earners in the United States earning more than $150,000 annually. The salaries of cloud computing range from entry-level to senior positions, depending on job function, location, and cloud computing qualifications. If you want to expand your career into cloud computing, opting for a certification course in cloud computing will help you. With a cloud computing certification course, you’ll learn how to maximize your earning potential in this expanding field. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to start a career in Cloud Computing or an experienced professional looking to advance your career, there are many cloud certifications that you can acquire to get to where you wish.

With the demand for cloud computing services set to rise, now is an excellent time to join this exciting and rapidly expanding field. Cloud Computing salaries vary according to experience and role. Experience brings the ability to participate in more complex and strategic aspects of cloud infrastructure and development projects. In addition, as your experience grows, you can supervise or manage other team members. The following are few details of various cloud computing jobs and their average salaries.

Cloud Engineers can earn a good living. Cloud Engineers earn a median annual base salary of $102,530
A computer systems analyst can earn an annual salary of $ 73,318
The Cloud Architect is in charge of designing and implementing cloud solutions. Cloud Architects earn a median annual base salary of $122,766
Cloud Database Administrators can expect to earn an annual salary of $130,000

There are several ways to increase your salary in cloud computing roles. Of course, the more relevant and desirable your skill set, the higher your salary will likely be.

If you want to kickstart the new year with a new job, consider working in cloud computing. The following are some of the top cloud computing companies to consider as you begin your job search in 2023:

Google Cloud
Kamatera
ScienceSoft
phoenixNAP
pCloud
Amazon Web Services
Innowise Group
Serverspace
Microsoft Azure

Conclusion

Cloud Computing development has provided various benefits to Information Technology. The size of the power of computing increases with cloud computing. Many organizations are migrating their services to cloud-based systems to attain their benefits. It is important to select the right cloud service and deployment model while implementing the cloud service in an organization. Security and privacy increase with cloud computing, where even personal usage is more in cloud computing than local storage. You can easily access all your computing needs with cloud computing technology with a single click. It has more features and functions to understand during implementation and working with it.

The certifications hold a high value in the market, and candidates can easily acquire it by attending the certification courses. Invensis Learning provides various high-quality certification training, giving you an edge over your competitors in today’s competitive market. Below are the few popular certification training that we, at Invensis Learning, provide-