What is Cloud Computing and How it Works

Back to original blog topic after a bit of refresher from previous post for How to Set Goals. The post received overwhelming response from all around.

I was having a discussion with a group of IT Department where we were undergoing implementation of our Finance Software. The company had about 1000 workstations and as far as I can remember, they had about 25 Servers, heterogeneous network.

We were having discussion regarding the more number of workstations get added, the more the company has to spent on Software’s to be purchased, servers to be added or increase their capacity and overall infrastructure to be upgraded. They were looking for a solution that can help reduce the managing of network and a way thru which people can remotely access any application without heavily investing in infrastructure by the company itself.

Enter here, solution was “Cloud Computing”.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing in simple terms, could be instead of installing a bunch of software’s on one computer, you just have to install a single application. When you click that application, it shall get you connected to a web-based service which hosts all your programs you would need for your job. Servers owned by other companies or providers, shall run all the Software’s required for the company right from e-mail to Enterprise Software’s to complex data analysis programs. This is Cloud Computing.

Think of it this way, Cloud computing is like having a metered cab at your disposal whenever you want it, you only pay for what distance you travel, you don’t pay no maintenance costs or any other costs associated with cab. You pay based on where you want to go that day and it’s so economical you can vary the length of your trips and not worry about the costs. You can even change the looks of the cab as you do not share it with anyone else.

The first step, in any cloud is to adapt applications to run as virtualization.

            In the traditional model of computing

           

Both data and software are fully contained on the user's computer

 

            In cloud computing

 

The user's computer may contain almost no software or data 
(perhaps a minimal operating system and web browser only
and a application to connect to remote machine), serving
as little more than a display terminal for processes occurring
on a network of computers far away.

How it Works

 

Step 1

A Cloud User requires a laptop, desktop, Smartphone or other computing device to get connected to one of the Cloud Service Providers over the Internet.

Step 2

The cloud provides access to applications, Software’s, operation Systems, Servers all that is required is by the user. The cloud provides server-based applications and all data services to the user, with output displayed on the client device.

Step 3

For example, if a user intends to create a word document, the cloud provider offers suitable application for the same, user opens the application on cloud, does his work and saves the same on the cloud providers Servers

Step 4

At the end, you disconnect from your Cloud Service provider

 

What do you pay for?

You pay by the resource used which is called utility computing.

Resources are:

Ø  Servers

Ø  Operating Systems

Ø  Applications

Ø  Software’s etc.

 

Some Cloud Providers also have their Unit of Measure setup which includes charges for space, hydro, equipment usage, Operating System Usage, etc.... They may have fixed charges For example, 1 Unit of Measure= 0.05 cents.

Cloud Computing is a service that is based on “pay as you go” else other words pay for what you use resources. Imagine, you do not spend any amount of money on Servers or Software purchases or platforms. You just have to subscribe any of the cloud service providers like Google, Amazon, Microsoft etc…

I shall be listing one more post for Benefits of Cloud Computing.

Till then hope it hasn't got much cloudier....