What is Cloud

A Cloud is an Internet. Generally when we speak about the cloud, Cloud Computing or Cloud Storage we are all taking about the things accessed on internet. More specifically all things that can be accessed remotely over the internet is called Cloud.

A Cloud can be simply a metaphor for various data networks, generally located somewhere far away and accessed via the internet.

So a Cloud generally has content stored over the servers on internet and are being accessed by using a user Name and Password. Some of the example of these include E-mail , Calendar and many other applications.

Cloud Computing can be defined as a delivery of shared computing resources ,software or data as a service and on-demand through the internet

Why Do we need Cloud – The main reasons why we choose cloud is convenience and reliability. Saving a file to a cloud allows us to access that from anywhere in the world with a internet connection. The cloud makes it much faster to share files more conveniently.

So what does a Cloud provide,

1) Resource utilization: Cloud enables companies to utilize resources according to their needs. This is different then using Own Physical hardware with loads of computation power being kept idle.

2) Cost: Since infrastructure is provided by the third party , there is no need to buy hardware. Infrastructure on the Cloud is based on the usage-based and hence users buy resources that only need.

3) Location independence: enable users to access systems using a web browser regardless of their location or what device they use (e.g., PC, mobile phone). As infrastructure is off-site (typically provided by a third-party) and accessed via the Internet, users can connect from anywhere.

4) Maintenance: Since Infrastructure is maintained by the third party, they don't need to be installed on Client machines. They need to be accessed via internet.

5) Multi-tenancy: This allows large pool of users to share resources and cost like centralization( infrastructure location with electricity, location charges) etc.

6) Monitoring: Monitoring of the hosted applications, underlying infrastructure is monitored

continuously thus providing user application with high live time.

7) Productivity may be increased when multiple users can work on the same data simultaneously, rather than waiting for it to be saved and emailed. Time may be saved as information does not need to be re-entered when fields are matched, nor do users need to install application software upgrades to their computer

8) Reliability: Cloud allows business critical applications to be hosted on multiple redundant sites thus making sure the application are up and running

9) Scalability: Cloud allows on-demand provisioning of resources on demand basis.

10) Security: Cloud improves security by allowing centralization of data thus making certain resources more secured.

So now we see the advantages, lets see disadvantage

1) Down time: Applications based on Cloud depend on the Internet connection. When it's offline, you're offline. If your internet service suffers from frequent outages or slow speeds cloud computing may not be suitable for your business.

2) Security Issues: Applications running on Cloud need to be more secured when they are business critical application. So you should not be using cloud computing applications that involve using or storing data that you are not comfortable having on the Internet.

3) Cost: Though cloud provides resources cheaper than the ones installed in-house, it is very important to make sure the Cloud provides the features that in-house hardware provides. You have to look closely at the pricing plans and details for each application.

More to Come :-)