Welcome to this introductory post on Cloud Computing💥.
This article will describe cloud computing and go through some of its key features. Cloud service concepts and Cloud delivery approaches will be discussed. You'll learn about a few of the most well-known cloud service providers. At the end of this article, I'll tell you about two free courses where you may join and get a certificate.
What is Cloud Computing?🤔
Cloud Computing can be termed as a technology that allows users to access large amount of data, information and other computing resources ( servers, OS, network, virtualization, databases) in a manner in which customers can use these resources and pay them accordingly.
5 Characteristics of Cloud Computing
- On demand self service - You gain access to cloud resources such as the processing power, storage, and network you require using a simple interface that does not require human contact with each service provider.
- Broad network access - Cloud computing resources can be accessed via the network through standard mechanisms and platforms such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstation.
- Resource pooling - It gives cloud providers economies of scale, which they pass on to their customers making cloud cost efficient. Resources dynamically assigned based on demand.
- Rapid Elasticity - You can access more resources when you need them, and scale back when you don't need.
- Measured services - You can only pay for what you use.
3 Cloud Service Models
Based on three layers in a computing stack - infrastructure, network, application
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) - You get access to the infrastructure and physical computing resources such as servers, networking, storage, and data centers space, without the need of manage or operate them.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service) - You can get the access to the platform that is hardware and software tools, usually those needed to develop and deploy applications to the users over the internet.
- SaaS (Software as a Service) - It is software licensing and delivery model in which software and applications are centrally hosted and licensed on a subscription basis and sometimes referred to as "on-demand software".
Use cases of IaaS
- Organizations use IaaS to enable their teams to setup test and development environments faster.
- Helping developers focus more on business logic than infrastructure management.
- Make applications and data accessible as usual during a disaster or outage.
- Organizations use IaaS to deploy their web applications faster.
Use cases of PaaS
- Organizations use PaaS to develop, run, and manage APIs.
- PaaS supports various development tools and programming languages used for IOT deployments.
- Used for Business Process Management(BPM)
Use cases of SaaS
- Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the Internet.
- SaaS provides a complete software solution which you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a cloud service provider.
Cloud Delivery models
- Public cloud 🌧- It is a platform through which a service provider makes resources such as storage and apps available through the Internet to a large number of clients. As an outcome, the resources are stored in an off-site location under the management and maintenance of the service provider. These are frequently scalable pay-on-demand services.
- Private cloud🌧 - In this, system is managed solely for the benefit of a single company. It can be administered by the enterprise or by a 3rd party, and can be located on-site or off-site. Private cloud services provides more control over network infrastructure, enhancing security, compliance, resilience, and accountability. Private clouds, on the other hand, need investment, operations, and a professionally experienced IT workforce.
- Community clouds🌧 - Community clouds are basically managed and used by numerous companies to support a particular group with mutual interests, such as purpose, policies, protection, and legal concerns. It ought to be administered by the organization or a legal representative or may be located on-site or off-site, with community members sharing the access to the information and services on a cloud environment. Community cloud users aim to capitalize on scale economies while avoiding the expenses and hazards coming from public clouds.
- Hybrid Cloud🌧 - It is a cloud computing paradigm that combines one private cloud with one public cloud to give a customizable mix of cloud - based services. Outsourcing cloud computing applications that have less strict security, legal, and service level requirements, while maintaining mission-critical systems and resources in a secure and regulated private cloud.
- Virtual private cloud🌧 - It is one that builds a private or semi-private virtual cloud that connects to internal resources using public cloud architecture and resources. A virtual private cloud (VPC) is a private cloud computing environment which is within a public cloud. Essentially, a VPC provisions logically isolated sections of a public cloud to provide a virtual private environment. Like all cloud environments, VPC resources are available on demand to scale as needed and are highly configurable.
Key Cloud Service Providers
Free Cloud Computing courses
Enroll in these courses, learn about cloud computing and earn badges 🏅 and certificates
- 🏅Introduction to Cloud By Cognitiveclass.ai
- Cloud Foundations Advanced By GreatLearning
Thanks for Reading💜
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