Page 15 - DCAP609_CLOUD_COMPUTING

Cloud Computing

Notes When storing data, the user sees a virtual server—that is, it appears as if the data is stored in a
particular place with a specific name but that place does not exist in reality. It is just a pseudonym
used to reference virtual space carved out of the cloud. In reality, the user’s data could be stored
on any one or more of the computers used to create the cloud. The actual storage location may
even differ from day-to-day or even minute-to-minute, as the cloud dynamically manages
available storage space. But even though the location is virtual, the user sees a “static” location
for his data, and can actually manage his storage space as if it were connected to his own PC.
Cloud storage has both financial and security-associated advantages. Financially, virtual
resources in the cloud are typically cheaper than dedicated physical resources connected to a
personal computer or network. As for security, data stored in the cloud is secure from accidental
erasure or hardware crashes, because it is duplicated across multiple physical machines; since
multiple copies of the data are kept continually, the cloud continues to function as normal even
if one or more machines go off-line. If one machine crashes, the data is duplicated on other
machines in the cloud.

Task Draw a chart differentiating peer-to-peer computing from distributed computing.

1.3.3 Cloud Services

Any Web-based application or service offered via cloud computing is called cloud services.
A cloud service is any resource that is provided over the Internet. The most common cloud
service resources are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure
as a Service (IaaS).
SaaS is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service
provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. PaaS refers to
the delivery of operating systems and associated services over the Internet without downloads
or installation. IaaS involves outsourcing the equipment used to support operations, including
storage, hardware, servers and networking components, all of which are made accessible over
a network. SaaS, PaaS and IaaS are sometimes referred to collectively as the SPI model.
Cloud services are the same thing as Web services. However, the term cloud services has been
more commonly used as cloud computing has become more pervasive.
Cloud services offer many advantages. If the user’s PC crashes, it does not affect either the host
application or the open document; both remain unaffected in the cloud. In addition, an individual
user can access his applications and documents from any location on any PC.

Did u know? Small businesses face less workforce resistance to cloud adoption. Half of the
U.S. government IT workers say that they have moved work to the cloud.

1.4 Why Cloud Computing Matters?

One of the biggest buzz terms in technology today is cloud computing. Companies all over the
world are utilizing the cloud for their businesses, allowing users to access their technology
anytime, anywhere. Essentially, organizations who are using the cloud, or cloud computing,
have their files, software, information and resources available anywhere in a virtual network.
Cloud computing is really becoming popular worldwide as it offers innumerable benefits to the
clients. Most of the companies have realized the importance of this technology as it offers plenty

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