Week 18 - Cloud Computing

Introduction

Cloud-Computing... A very interesting subject. Probably one that you are making use of without knowing! Cloud-Computing is making use of multiple servers on a digital network. The term cloud is used because the the cloud image represents the Internet or a kind of network environment. Instead of having messy data pipes, routers and servers there are now services. Google-Docs and Gmail is driven on cloud-computing. Also a good example of this is dropbox.The term private cloud-computing refers to having data at the tip of your fingertips and ready for use, having data which is transferable and can be instantly accessible. Cloud-computing can be based on mobile phones

Irrespective of what type of cloud it is either a private or a public it should have the following characteristics: 

• Quickly to allocate and relieve resources when it is required by clients
• A real-time backup should be offered to clients for maximum up time
• Should satisfy users requests without involving clients with the management of the service

There are three types of cloud-computing Saas (Software as a Service), Paas (Platform as a Service) and Iaas (Infrastructure as a Service)

• Saas - Having the software built by the service provider and configured by the end users depending on their needs.
• Paas - This is a platform used for different purposes
• Iaas - Infrastructure is offered on demand. Any required thing like spaces, expenses and personnel can be saved

Advantages of cloud computing

Pros can be divided into six main categories being:

• Reduced Cost - Paid incrementally therefore saves organizations money
• Increased Storage - Can store more data than on a private computer system
• Highly Automated- IT people won't need to worry about keeping software up to date.
• Flexibility - Offers much more flexibility
• More Mobility - Information can be accessed from everywhere rather than from your own desk
• Allows IT to shift focus - No need for server updates and other computing issues

Personally I think that you are not limited to one desk is the biggest advantage. Accessing your data from everywhere is a thumbs up. You would work comfortable if a good internet connection is provided however I doubt if bad connections still exist, if they do I don't think they will remain for long as connectivity is improving really fast and as it improves so does cloud computing. As mentioned in the introduction cloud computing can be done with mobile phones. You can have all your data in sync all day long. 

Security is another advantage. Cloud-computing are pretty much secure also real-time backup is offered which means less data loss. Cloud systems aren't as prone to hacks or DDoS attacks as other systems this is because people don't know about where the data is exactly. 

Using cloud computing won't require you to buy additional servers or any other peripherals so it will reduce hardware costs. 

Servers running inside a virtual machine can be stored in one image file containing the entire system configuration and settings. In case a server crashes, you don’t have to start from scratch to perform  re installation and reconfiguration. Simply take a copy of the saved image, restore data from last backup and the server will  be back up and running again.  In this manner time, effort and resources are saved.

Electricity Bills will be reduced as there will be no need to maintain a temperature room to cool down the server.

Replacing or upgrading a server specification can be easier to execute using cloud computing. If the parent server is overloaded and specifications are not sufficient anymore, we can easily upgrade the specification or move a virtual machine to another, more powerful server

Disadvantages of cloud computing

After mentioning the advantages some disadvantages are to be mentioned as most of the time where there are some advantages there is a disadvantage. 

The main disadvantage of cloud computing is that if the data centre crashes all the virtual machines will be affected. 

Backing up your data will obviously help in prevention of any data loss is that it requires a good and stabilized internet connection, if you don't have a good connection you can't expect it to give you good functionality

Another disadvantage is if having intruders targeting the parent server and hacking it. 

Conclusion

Cloud-computing should really keep advancing I think that it is great and the better internet connectivity gets the better it will be.  Probably people won't like the idea of having data accessible from anywhere as they might get the wrong ideas. Trusting your data might be a big issue but finding a good provider will do.