A lot of folks ask me to give a straightforward explanation regarding the term Cloud Computing. The reason why you read rather a lot about Cloud Computing is that IT companies are hyping this term as the next large thing given that the invention of the light bulb.
Cloud Computing is computation, software program, data access and storage services that do not require end-user knowledge of the specific physical location and configuration of the method that delivers the services. You can truly compare it with the electrical power grid, you do not demand the specialized knowledge to use it. Just plug in the device and you will be ready to go!
The term “cloud” is utilized as a metaphor for the Net, based on the cloud drawing utilized to represent the Internet in personal computer network diagrams.The concept is not new and has been around for decades. Years ago the IT companies tried to market this idea already but this wasn’t a success. The reason for this was that you necessary a quickly and reliable Web connection, and at the time if they were accessible, they came at a hefty cost.
Nowadays nearly every person has access to the net via a rapidly broadband connection. This removes the bandwidth issue and data is sent at a lightning quickly speed around the globe. Practically all firms use quickly World wide web connections, because the Web is employed in a huge component of their company and costs for connections have dropped drastically.
An example of a Cloud based service is Google’s Gmail. You can sign up to an account and send e-mail to colleagues or pals around the globe, without having having any sort of technical knowledge of the way that e-mail works. Google has all the specialized expertise and networking infrastructure to manage the e-mail traffic. The benefit is that you don’t shed valuable time on the technical stuff and enables you to focus on your business!
The introduction flat fee World wide web and the Smartphone like the iPhone or Android phones in combination with mobile Internet plans, caused a fast adaptation of Cloud technology.
If you want to have a location independent business, Cloud Computing is the way to go! Instead of running applications locally on your laptop or computer and store data your self, they run on a shared information center maintained by the very best industry specialists. For example, you can configure your Smartphone to connect to your favorite e-mail Cloud service and carry your e-mail with you wherever you go. Your e-mail is stored in the Cloud and you can access it on your Smartphone or any computer, no information is stored on the device itself. Simply because you can “plug in everywhere”, this has many benefits for you:
You are able to access all programs as well as information utilizing your browser.
You can get started extremely speedily
The costs are considerably less when compared to conventional software program programs
You don’t require to have your own servers and storage
No software set up needed
You do not have to update your software program programs
No specialized knowledge required
The service is often at no cost or via predictable regular monthly subscription
Some well-known cloud services are:
Gmail
Hotmail
Facebook
Amazon EC2/S3
Salesforce.com
for gamers there are Sony’s Playstation Network or Microsoft’s Xbox Live.
My name is Ard-Jan, I live in The Netherlands and invest most of my 9-5 time working as a systems and network engineer for a big wellness care group here in the region.