Cloud Computing: What It Really Means?

With the growing trend of globalization, technology is evolving every day. The next stage in internet evolution is cloud computing. This digital term is used to demonstrate multiple software components that are on several computers, but run as a single system. It provides network-based services that are replicated on one or more real machines. These services are rendered by real server hardware and are distributed by virtual hardware. In this post, we will look at Cloud Computing and its types, but before we go any further, let’s see what this jargon really means.

What it Really Means

For those who do not know, the concept of cloud computing appears to be vague; however, it becomes explicit when we understand its importance for IT professionals. Although cloud is an accustomed expression when used as a metaphor for the internet, but this concept becomes convoluted and disconcert when consolidated with computing.

How it Works

To keep things simple, let’s say you’re an executive at a giant corporation, and you have a long list of responsibilities, which include ensuring your workers have the right software that they need to do their jobs. You might buy every employee his or her own computer, but that’s not enough.  You also need to buy software licenses to provide employees with the right software, which means you need to buy software license for each user.

That’s where Cloud Computing comes in, a single set of software for every computer at your workplace! With this little digital miracle, all you’ll have to do is install one application that will allow your workers to log into a Web-based service, which hosts all the programs they will need for their job.  This web-based service will run everything from e-mail to multifaceted data analysis programs.

Now let’s briefly look at the types of cloud computing.

Types of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is at a primary stage of its evolution and consists of a number of varied providers, distributing  bundles of cloud based services ranging from full-blown applications to storage services to email filtering, etc. It is generally divided into following four types:

Public Cloud

In public cloud computing resources are available online for public. Users are allowed to access various important resources on internet cloud, such as software applications or stored data. A public cloud is suitable for various organizations, which have similar needs and intend to share instruments and infrastructure.

Private Cloud

Private cloud is customized for a specific organization that controls all the applications .This organization holds all the rights for securing this cloud from public. Private cloud can be maintained internally, externally or by a third party.

Community Cloud

Community cloud extends to a few users than a public cloud because of its cost saving potential. It shares infrastructure between many organizations from a specific community with common concerns.

Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud is different and unique than the other computing types.  It is formulated by combining any two types of clouds (public, private and hybrid). Therefore, it provides benefits associated with both models. Hybrid cloud is capable of involving a third party cloud in its services.

No matter what cloud you choose you’ll find that almost every cloud is affordable, virtual, scalable, secure, and flexible.