Cloud Computing: An Overview

In the last few years, cloud computing has received a lot of attention from individuals and organizations. This new revolutionized environment implies next-level flexibility and accessibility of computing resources at different levels of abstraction at a nominal fare. Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc., are the vendors who lease their customers the cloud computing services and resources which can be utilized in an optimized way based on customers’ demands according to a specific business model. 

The Cloud Computing Services are broadly divided into three models as mentioned below:

• Software as a Service (SaaS) – In SaaS, service providers are responsible for running and maintaining application software, operating system, and computing resources. Customers can view the model as a web-based application interface where complete software applications and services are delivered over the internet. Also, the customer can access the same via a web browser.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS) – In PaaS, the operating/system software and computing resources are provided by the CSP, who also runs and maintains them. The customer accesses the application software under the operating system and on the virtual resources with little or no control.
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – In IaaS, the CSP provides a set of virtualized computing resources like network bandwidth, storage capacity, and many more in the cloud. The customer is responsible for running and maintaining systems and applications on these virtual recourses. IaaS uses virtualization technology to convert physical resources into logical resources, dynamically provisioned and released by customers as needed.

Analysis of Cloud Computing Services

Cloud computing systems are categorized as public cloud, private cloud, community cloud, and hybrid cloud. These are known as deployment models, and they describe the scope of services offered on the cloud to the customers.

• Public Cloud – In this type of deployment model, the infrastructure and other cloud computing services are made available to the public over the internet. Many popular cloud services are public such as Amazon EC2, Google App Engine, etc. The cloud is owned and managed by a CSP that offers services to consumers on a pay-per-use basis. Security and privacy are the most concerning areas of this type of cloud.
• Private Cloud – In private clouds, one organization’s computing resources are generally operated exclusively. The organization or the CSP may manage private clouds. Private clouds are more secure than public clouds as their users are the trusted individuals of the organization. 
• Community Cloud – Community clouds are similar to private cloud models. The only difference is that cloud infrastructure and computing resources are shared with several organizations having the same mission, policy, and security requirements. For instance, the educational cloud is used by universities and institutions worldwide to provide education and research services.
• Hybrid Cloud – In hybrid clouds, the cloud infrastructure consists of two or more public, private, or community cloud components. These components are bound together by standardized technology so that they can be managed as a single unit yet remain a unique entity individually. Hybrid clouds allow organizations to optimize their resources so that the critical core activities can be run under the control of the private component of the hybrid cloud, while other auxiliary tasks may be outsourced to the public branch. 

Cloud computing services and applications are expected to attract many individuals and organizations in the near future from different disciplines. At Clairvoyant, profound studies and use cases help you understand the impact of these services on your business and its growth. Experts at Clairvoyant would love to assist you with the implementation of cloud computing and guide you to get tailor-made solutions best suited to your needs. Click Here.