What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a computing model by which organizations can access virtualized IT resources over the Internet through a pay-as-you-go system. The resources of enterprise cloud computing are servers, data processing power, data storage, network infrastructure, and virtualization capabilities, among many others.
Cloud computing services are provided by cloud providers who are responsible for deploying, maintaining, and updating the cloud infrastructure that enables companies to access computing resources via the Internet.
Benefits.
Compared to traditional on-premises IT, which involves a company owning and maintaining data centers and physical servers to access computing power, data storage, and other resources (depending on the cloud services selected), cloud computing offers many benefits, including the following:
Cost-effectiveness
Cloud computing allows you to offload part or all of the expenses and effort associated with acquiring, installing, configuring, and managing mainframe computers and other on-premises infrastructure. You only pay for cloud-based infrastructure and other computing resources as you use them.
Increased Speed and Agility
With cloud computing, your organization can deploy enterprise applications within minutes instead of waiting weeks or months for the IT department to respond to a request, acquire and configure supporting hardware, and install software. This feature empowers users (specifically DevOps and other development teams) to leverage cloud-based software and supporting infrastructure.
Unlimited Scalability
Cloud computing provides elasticity and self-service provisioning, so instead of purchasing excess capacity that goes unused during periods of low activity, you can scale capacity up and down in response to traffic spikes and drops. You can also use your cloud provider’s global network to bring your applications closer to users around the world.
Enhanced Strategic Value
Cloud computing enables organizations to utilize a variety of technologies and the latest innovations to gain a competitive edge. For example, in retail, banking, and other customer-oriented industries, generative AI virtual assistants deployed in the cloud can provide better customer response times and free up teams to focus on higher-level tasks. In manufacturing, teams can collaborate and use cloud-based software to monitor real-time data from logistics and supply chain processes.
s can be on the receiving-end.
Components.
The most important components in cloud computing include:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):
Provides virtualized infrastructure resources over the Internet, such as servers, storage, and networks. IaaS allows companies to rent hardware and other fundamental IT resources as needed, without the need to purchase or maintain physical equipment.Platform as a Service (PaaS):
Offers a platform that includes development tools, databases, and middleware, enabling developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.Software as a Service (SaaS):
Delivers software applications over the Internet on demand. Users can access the applications through a web browser without needing to install or maintain the software on their own devices.Data Center:
CSPs (Cloud Service Providers) own and manage data centers where all the necessary physical hardware, including servers, storage systems, and other critical components, is housed, forming the underlying infrastructure of cloud computing.Networking and Connectivity:
High-speed network connections, such as WANs, are essential for cloud computing, connecting users to cloud resources and services. Technologies like load balancers, CDNs, and SDNs help optimize the flow of data.Virtualization:
A key technology that allows physical resources to be partitioned and managed as virtual resources, facilitating the creation of more flexible and efficient IT environments.Cloud Storage:
Enables companies to securely store and manage large volumes of data accessible over the Internet, eliminating the need for on-premises physical storage.Identity and Access Management (IAM):
Tools that ensure only authorized users can access cloud resources by implementing access policies, authentication, and authorization.Automation and Orchestration:
Facilitates efficient management of cloud resources, allowing automation of repetitive tasks and orchestration of complex processes across different IT environments.Cloud Security:
Includes protective measures such as firewalls, encryption, and security management to safeguard data and applications from threats and attacks.
These components work together to provide a flexible, scalable, and secure cloud computing environment, essential for meeting modern business technology needs.
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Comments (2)
Obila Doe
Our infrastructure management approach is holistic, addressing capacity monitoring, data storage, network utilisation, asset lifecycles, software patching, wired and wireless networking and more.
James Weighell
A hosted desktop solution allows for the delivery of a consistent and scalable IT experience for all users in an organisation. With this solution, users gain access via a desktop icon or link.