How Cloud Computing Works: A Quick & Dirty Primer

For those unfamiliar with the cloud, it can seem a bit difficult to understand. Basically cloud computing is dynamic visualization of web hosting. In other words, Cloud computing is a way for shared servers to deliver services from an external location, particularly data storage. There are many benefits to cloud computing such as having a high performance server, unlimited access to resources, dynamic scalability, on-demand data sharing, and much more. Just like other types of hosting server, using the cloud involves some effort and time so it is essential to understand the cloud before choosing this dynamic web hosting solution.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing involves computing services that are managed in the ‘clouds’ with layers that include a server, physical infrastructure, platform, application, and the user. Clients of the cloud host provider do not own the physical infrastructure as everything is purchased from the cloud host provider. The services are based on a pay-per-use fee structure.
Cloud computing is a hassle-free service although it does not have the capability of self management. However, management is very easy and not time-consuming. In addition, cloud computing is not based on a mainframe computer or client-server model.
Cloud Computing Advantages
The convenience of cloud computing makes it a popular choice because users have access to systems via web browsers from any location and from any computing device, including mobile device. Security is another important benefit of cloud computing. With the cloud, criminals do not know where the server is located and the server’s exact source. This means it is very difficult for a person to hack into the server. Cloud computing vendors also work to prevent unauthorized access and protect identification information.
Cloud computing offers many beneficial features such as energy efficient to server providers, affordable for both small and medium size businesses, accessible programming interface, efficient re-provisioning of IT resources, easy to maintain, and routine metering.
Cloud computing offers businesses of all sizes convenient on-demand data storage services at a fairly low price. It is understandable why cloud computing is being adopted by more businesses every day.