What is cloud computing ?

What is cloud computing ?

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of compute power, database storage, applications, and other IT resources through a cloud services platform via the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing.

Types of Cloud Computing

There are three main models for cloud computing. Each model represents a different part of the cloud computing stack.

1. Software as a Service (SaaS)
The Capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy on to the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider.

3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications.

Cloud Computing Deployment Models

1. Private cloud
Private cloud: The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization comprising multiple consumers (e.g., business units). It may be owned, managed, and operated by the organization, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.

2. Public cloud
Public cloud: The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for open use by the general public. It may be owned, managed, and operated by a business, academic, or government organization, or some combination of them. It exists on the premises of the cloud provider.

3. Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud: The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more distinct cloud infrastructures (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities, but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load balancing between clouds).

4. Community cloud
Community cloud: The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a specific community of consumers from organizations that have shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be owned, managed, and operated by one or more of the organizations in the community, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.