Cloud Computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more—over the internet (“the cloud”). Instead of owning and maintaining physical data centers or servers, businesses and individuals can access these services on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Key Characteristics of Cloud Computing:
- On-Demand Self-Service: Users can provision computing resources as needed without human intervention from the service provider.
- Broad Network Access: Cloud services are available over the internet and can be accessed from various devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
- Scalability & Elasticity: Cloud platforms can automatically scale up or down based on demand.
- Resource Pooling: Computing resources are pooled together and shared among multiple customers.
- Measured Service (Pay-as-you-go): Users are charged only for the resources they consume, optimizing cost efficiency.
Types of Cloud Computing Services:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Provides virtualized computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking.
Example: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Provides a managed platform for application development, including OS, runtime, and development tools.
Example: Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Microsoft Azure App Services.Software as a Service (SaaS) – Provides fully functional applications over the internet.
Example: Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs), Microsoft 365, Dropbox.
Types of Cloud Deployments:
- Public Cloud: Services are provided over the public internet and shared among multiple users. (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
- Private Cloud: A dedicated cloud infrastructure for a single organization.
- Hybrid Cloud: A combination of public and private clouds to optimize flexibility and efficiency.
- Multi-Cloud: Use of multiple cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in and enhance resilience.
Advantages of Cloud Computing:
✔ Cost-efficient (no need for expensive hardware)
✔ Scalability and flexibility
✔ Reliability and disaster recovery options
✔ Improved collaboration and remote access
✔ Security features provided by cloud vendors
In summary, cloud computing allows businesses and individuals to access powerful computing resources without maintaining physical infrastructure, making it a game-changer for modern IT solutions.
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