A Complete Guide to Cloud Computing, Everything You Need To Know!
Cloud computing is the use of virtualized systems that are accessed via an internet connection. Cloud-based services can be used by individual users, businesses, governments, and other organizations to improve efficiency. The benefits of cloud computing include reduced costs, increased scalability, and improved uptime. It also provides users with the ability to access applications over the internet from any device at any time without having to download or install them on their computer or laptop.
It's an alternative way of doing business as it provides flexible solutions without having to invest in expensive hardware or software upfront.
Cloud computing uses cloud services such as:
- File storage - storing files on the cloud so they are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Data backup - backing up important data stored locally for safekeeping.
- Internet hosting - allowing multiple websites to be hosted online for a low monthly fee.
Services of cloud computing
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a type of software that is hosted remotely on the internet. The client doesn't need to install anything on their computer or server and can access it from any device with an internet connection. SaaS usually provides continuous, web-based software application functionality for a monthly subscription fee. It's commonly used in areas such as marketing, business intelligence, finance, HR management, customer relationship management (CRM), project management, and event registration.
There are many benefits of SaaS like:
- It reduces the need for investing in expensive hardware.
- It helps companies reduce capital expenditures, thereby lowering overall operational costs.
- It provides business continuity through failover options that are less expensive than on-premise solutions.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a Service (SaaS) is a software platform delivered over the internet, typically on a subscription basis. It provides an application programming interface (API) that can be used by third-party developers to build and maintain applications that run within the SaaS environment.This type of software is built on top of existing infrastructure such as databases or web servers and usually includes cloud storage for data and analytics capabilities such as reporting, customer support, billing, and payment processing.
The benefits of this type of technology are:
- There is no need to buy hardware or install any additional software.
- Data stored in SaaS platforms does not require any backups because it's stored in the cloud and accessible from anywhere with internet access.
- Businesses can launch new features or programs quickly without having to purchase extra equipment or install additional software.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service can be used for all types of applications like web hosting, email hosting, database hosting, etc.
A software application may be provided on demand or it may be delivered via download or other media, while infrastructure is typically more permanent and generally not downloadable.
Serverless computing
Serverless computing is a paradigm in which all of the functionality of a software application, including computing power and data storage, is provided to an end-user without requiring any servers.The traditional model for web applications involves the deployment of software on physical servers managed by IT professionals or managed service providers.Serverless computing has become popular with web-based applications because it eliminates the need for manual configuration and management of virtual machines, which have traditionally been required to run most business applications.
Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)
Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) is a new approach to software development. The idea is that the developer only needs to focus on writing business logic and not worry about all the other pieces of the puzzle-like deploying, scaling, logging, and monitoring.FaaS can be implemented by using containers or Kubernetes where developers use functions instead of code and these functions are executed in a containerized environment. This means that you can run your application anywhere with no installation required and it will work seamlessly across multiple environments such as dev, staging, production.
Cloud Computing Types
Public cloud
A public cloud is a computing service that provides the infrastructure, platform, and applications to support a cloud computing model.In simple terms, the public cloud is the most common type of cloud computing where the client doesn't have any control over how their data is stored or what software runs on it. Cloud providers provide hardware, software, storage, and other services for customers in exchange for a monthly fee which they pay regardless of whether they use the service or not
Private cloud
A private cloud is a cloud computing model in which resources are deployed and managed within an organization's own data center. It contrasts with the public cloud, in which resources are shared between many organizations and the provider manages the hardware, software, and data for all tenants.The most popular private clouds include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud Private, and Google Cloud Platform.
Hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud is a combination of two or more clouds, each managed by different providers.The Cloud Service Provider (CSP) that manages the cloud for your company will manage all the services that are delivered to you. The CSP provides high-level support and guarantees uptime on its services.The customer then has access to the full benefits of their own private data centers which are either in their offices or geographically dispersed locations. This allows companies to have their data secured without having to pay an excessive amount of money for hosting services, power, etc.
Multi-cloud and hybrid multi-cloud
Multi-cloud is a term used to describe the ability of a company to deploy and manage its infrastructure across multiple public cloud services.Hybrid multi-cloud refers to deploying different sets of applications across multiple public clouds with the ability to move workloads back and forth between them as needed.
Cloud security
Cloud security is a way of protecting your data and online business from cyber threats. It includes the use of best practices such as encryption, monitoring for malicious activity, and the use of different operating systems to minimize risk.
The best way to ensure security is by following these tips:
- Use encryption software on all your devices.
- Keep your data in two separate locations so that if one device gets compromised, you can still access the other without any problems.
- Back up your data regularly so that you have an option to restore it in case anything happens to it or if someone tries to hack into it or steal it from you.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has become an essential part of modern business. If you are not already using cloud-based services, now is the time to start. By outsourcing your IT infrastructure to a cloud provider, you can access all of your data and applications from anywhere with any device. This flexibility will save you money, simplify your operations, and make it easier for you to work collaboratively with other people across the globe. For more information on how to get started with cloud computing, please visit our blog post here!