Cloud Computing Basics: The Essential Starter Pack

May 3, 2021

Renita Joan

Cloud Computing Basics: The Essential Starter Pack

One of the greatest innovations of the decade for processing or storing information that is of high importance, at this time, is at hand, or rather in the clouds.

Although we are not speaking literally here, the term Cloud has been ubiquitous and essentially inevitable.

In the digital era, the whole world runs based on data and connectivity in every aspect of day-to-day life. We see data follow us everywhere: right from shopping to accounting to manufacturing to almost everything else under the sun and beyond. So much so, that sometimes even we, as individuals, have become part of that data.

But before we delve into science fiction movie plots, let’s talk reality.

Take the red pill – see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Terms In Cloud Computing - the popular and the not so popular

Cloud computing is the distribution of computing resources over the internet, such as servers, storage, databases, and much more. Using the internet for services and vice versa is the same as using the Cloud.

The deployment model and service model are two primary components that characterize cloud servers. These two renders, respectively, accessibility and functionality. The deployment model determines who has access to the cloud and doesn’t have access to the cloud services.

There are three distinct sectors based on it: public, private, and hybrid. Anyone that uses the internet will use the public cloud. It is typically inexpensive and straightforward to obtain. Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services are two of the most common public cloud service providers.

A private cloud is a service that provides access uniquely for an organization that is easily scalable. It is very costly because it must perform specific set-up tasks for each organization that uses the private cloud. A hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud services.

Let us, on the other hand, discuss what a service model entails. The cloud’s job and what it’s supposed to do are specified by service models. Infrastructure, applications, and platforms are the three services it offers.

Features of Cloud computing - highlights that make cloud an easy sell

  • On-demand self-service: It allows the client to spin off or takedown instances on the fly and keep track of the server’s uptime, capacities, and network capacity allocation at all times.
  • Broad network access: With just any device and an internet connection, the client can access cloud data or upload data to the cloud from any location.
  • Multi-tenancy and resource pooling: A cloud service provider can pool resources for multiple customers, providing each with a unique collection of services tailored to their needs.
  • Rapid elasticity and scalability: This makes it possible to run workloads that involve a large number of servers but only for a limited time at a low cost.
  • Measured service: This service allows both the provider and the customer to track and report on which services have been used and for what reason, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and cost-effectively.
  • Easy maintenance: The servers are easily managed, and downtime is minimal or non-existent. It is constantly self-updated to maximize their strengths and potential.
  • Economical: This enables the organization to save expenses on IT by eliminating the need to pay the administration for the facilities they have used.
  • Recoverability: To avoid data loss, cloud providers make a backup copy of the data. Even if it is lost, it can be restored using a copy from the backup.
  • Automation: Cloud computing aids in the automated installation, configuration, and maintenance of cloud services. It reduces the amount of manual effort needed.
  • Resiliency and availability: Cloud computing has a resilience that is measured by how fast its servers, database, and network systems restart and recover from any harm or damage. And geographic boundaries can be configured as per the requirement of the organization.

Pros of cloud computing

  • Accessibility: Cloud files can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.
  • Cost-efficient: There is no need to invest in buying hardware/software for seasonal uses, since Cloud provides the option of using its services on-demand and opting out when required.
  • Disaster recovery: In the case of a catastrophe or if the files are mistakenly lost, they can be retrieved because the cloud can be configured to maintain remote copies of all files.
  • Scalability: Any business expansion and spikes in utilization can be easily accommodated with cloud management.
  • Speed: The pace at which you can start new services or upgrade services ranges from a few seconds to a few minutes
  • Storage immortality: Cloud management allows you to avoid the possibility of buying hardware that will become outdated quickly. Instead, you can use cloud according to requirements on a timely basis. That’s not all – Cloud provides safe and secure real-time sync and also offers access to unlimited archive storage that is cost-efficient and perdurable.

Pointers to think before you start your cloud transition journey:

  • Security and privacy: Certain industries that store sensitive information, such as the healthcare industry, may have to vary compliance factors.
  • Cost/usage: The cost of using the cloud for your data and applications varies based on the volume of egress traffic.
  • Data breaches: Although most cloud service providers ensure the highest data security levels and provide security services, data on the internet is also susceptible to some level of breach.
  • Compliance: Although cloud services are usually fully compliant with global law and regulations, you may have to look into regional / industry-specific regulations and restrictions.

After considering all of the perspectives of cloud computing, many companies agree that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the Internet (“the cloud”) to allow faster innovation, flexible resources, and growth-at-scale economies. You typically only pay for the cloud services you use, allowing you to save money, improve the efficiency of your infrastructure, and scale as required. Additionally, cloud service providers also typically offer discounts on longer-term plans as against shorter-term plans.

To know more about the benefits of using cloud computing in your organization, check in here!

We see that the cloud is a resourceful tool that significantly aids in business management while extremely cost-effective, something all businesses want.

But the rabbit hole runs deeper than just this – Talk to us to learn where this goes.

Let’s talk!

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