The Basics of Cloud Computing Concept

According to some expert technology analysts, cloud computing can be described as a finely updated version of utility computing. Cloud computing follows the working fundamentals of virtual servers over the internet. There is a category of people who keeps arguing with the concept. They are of the opinion that anything consumed outside of the firewall lies in the cloud. In fact, they even target conventional outsourcing.



The need for Cloud Computing technology/concept comes into the limelight only and only when a user wants to increase the capabilities of flying IT mode without going for any further investment to develop any new infrastructure. In fact, new infrastructure does require new software tools as well their proper licensing, and training employees appropriately. Cloud computing encompasses any sort of pay-per-use or subscription-based service that extends largely the existing capabilities of Information Technology in real time over the internet.

At present, Cloud Computing can be said to be at its earliest stages. Presently, the cloud services offered ranges from the storage spaces to full-blown applications, as well spam filtering and virus checking. Those who are offering utility-based infrastructures are definitely part of the concept. Saas (Software as a Service) are also part of this type of computing concept. Although a new concept, but cloud computing integrates and aggregators are already on their emerging stage.

Cloud computing is divided into two broad categories: Saas and Utility Computing

SaaS (Software as a service)

This variant of cloud computing is capable of delivering a single application through the browser to numerous customers. It uses a multitenant architecture to carry out the distribution process. For customers, there is no investment required up-front in terms of new server or latest software installed. For providers, it is equally a cost-saving option as there is no multi-app maintenance required. With only a single application to maintain at a time, costs are quite low. When speaking about enterprise applications, the best example to put forward is Salesforce.com. However, Saas is very common for Human Resource apps and has worked wonderfully well with ERP players like Workday. The sudden evolution of Saas based desktop apps like Zoho Office and Google Apps proves the rising popularity of Saas Cloud Computing technology.

Utility Computing

This is not a new concept but this type of cloud computing is slowly rising to peak because of companies like IBM, Sun, Amazon, etc. These companies are now offering cloud based storage and virtual servers that can be accessed on request. During the early days, enterprise adopters basically used utility computing for non-mission-critical and supplemental needs. This practice is still continuing. However, it is expected that such a day is not far away when this old approach will be replaced by datacenter with the cloud concept. There are several other providers that offer meaningful solutions to create cloud-based data centers from those large commodity servers. Some of the common examples of available commodity servers are Elastic Server on Demand from Cohesive FT and AppLogic from 3Tera.

Cloud computing, at a present day, depends largely on three major models: SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Cloud clients are users who access network devices like laptops, PCs, Smartphone, and tablets.

Cloud Computing has often been referred to as Green Computing, but there has been still no published documented to prove this fact. However, the emergence of Cloud Computing concept has definitely opened new dimensions to file and resource sharing over virtual networks.