Cloud Computing: An Overview
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics—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 Access – Users can access computing resources anytime.
Scalability – Resources can be scaled up or down based on demand.
Cost-Efficiency – No need for physical hardware; pay for what you use.
Flexibility & Mobility – Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Security & Reliability – Cloud providers ensure data protection and uptime.
Types of Cloud Computing
1. Public Cloud – Services provided by third-party providers (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).
2. Private Cloud – A dedicated cloud environment for a single organization.
3. Hybrid Cloud – A combination of both public and private clouds for flexibility.
4. Multi-Cloud – Using multiple cloud providers for different services.
Cloud Service Models
1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Provides virtualized computing resources like servers and storage (e.g., AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine).
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Provides a development environment for building applications (e.g., Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk).
3. Software as a Service (SaaS) – Provides ready-to-use software over the internet (e.g., Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Dropbox).
Popular Cloud Providers
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
IBM Cloud
Oracle Cloud
Common Uses of Cloud Computing
Web Hosting – Hosting websites and applications.
Data Storage & Backup – Secure cloud storage solutions.
Machine Learning & AI – Cloud-based AI models and analytics.
Big Data Processing – Handling large datasets in the cloud.
IoT & Edge Computing – Managing connected devices and real-time processing.
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