Article by Jude
Cloud service is a computing paradigm that dynamically provides access to clustered remote or local servers and network resources in an unlimited and optimized structure.
Few years now, a lot has been published in terms of Cloud services, as provided by different vendors such as Microsoft, IBM, Google, Oracle; just to mention a few. Despite the numerous jingles, a lot of the target audience still doesn’t have a good understanding of the concept behind cloud services. For so many, they adopted these services because it was recommended or it looked promising and latest in the market.
If you are asked to explain in simple terms what cloud services are, the differences with the current system in your organization and why it should be considered, then this article is here to give it straight to you. Let’s take a smart walk.
The Concept of Cloud Services
The use of the term “cloud” in Computing or Information Technology dates as far as the 1970’s. Although the symbol was, and is still used to represent the internet; what we have today as Cloud services means a lot more but has the internet as a major component or player in its architecture.
Data storage and management are resources that everyone needs at all heights of activities. Some organizations especially, have their private servers in their premises for this reason, while others have remote servers or subscribe to a shared one. One of the most popular and used remote storage and management systems are those provided via the internet in forms of web hosting and dedicated storage systems such as dropbox, zoho, etc.
Cloud service is designed to manage data and server/network resources such as RAM, I/O, MEMORY, etc; in an elastic manner.
Unlike the regular use of specific servers locally or remotely mounted, Cloud services comprise of multiple servers that are connected to work as one. It resources are managed by the Virtual Machine Monitor know as Hypervisor. This makes it possible for data processes and storage to be decentralized or distributed across multiple servers with smart load balancing techniques. Based on the service rendered, each user is expected to have his or her virtual domain that can be expanded seamlessly and unlimitedly.
Types of Cloud Services
Based on the needs of users or organizations, Cloud services can be categorized into the following.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): This is the lowest and core level of Cloud Services. Vendors at this level provides the servers, virtual server machines, network infrastructures, load balancers and other core infrastructures, especially hardware that are needed to setup Cloud Services. Providers of Cloud Infrastructure as a service make it easy for enterprises to subscribe to these computing resources and pay for such on periodic basis.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): This is the middle level, just on top of the IaaS layer. It provides the platform that acts as an intermediate system between the Cloud hardware and application software. These platforms include operating systems, runtime environments, webservers, databases and lots more. Major vendors in this category include Microsoft, Oracle and Google. Accrets International also provide such service.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): Everyday or end users interact with this level. This service provides the web applications/software that runs on web browsers, mobile phones, PCs and other related interfaces but setup in the platform provided by PaaS. Vendors at this stage are more of software developers that provides end-user solutions that are based on Cloud Services. An example of this would be Microsoft Office 365.
Importance of Cloud Services
The following are areas where the Cloud services outsmart the use of static services.
Data Integrity: This involves having an unaltered data at any point in time. In as much as there are backup systems for static servers, there are cases of backing up malicious contents before the contents are noticed to be compromised, which renders the whole data irrecoverable.
For cloud services, this is impossible, because all servers on the cloud verify the integrity of the data instantly. Hence, changing data is like changing time globally. What’s the chance?
Service Uptime: Thanks to the load balancer in the Cloud architecture. This makes it possible to dynamically and evenly move processes to other server/network units on the cloud immediately, when any of the individual system is experiencing downtime.
Cost Effect: Cloud Infrastructures are very expensive to acquire and manage especially as a single owner. Hence, it is designed based on a principle in microeconomics, known as the “Economies of Scale”. This makes it possible for users to subscribe based on budget and the increase in users; makes Cloud Services profitable as well as affordable for all.
Limitations of Cloud Services
Cloud Services also has a few setbacks which include speed and cost. The speed between request and response for data processing in Cloud Services is about few microseconds slower than that of static servers, due to synchronization processes across multiple servers.
Cost is an obvious difference, as Cloud Services are clearly more expensive to even subscribe compared to static services. Network connectivity also needs to be above fair; for Cloud Services to be enjoyed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cloud Services are smart and recommended for anyone that seeks to optimally manage data or deploy smart service at any level. However, every organization has their needs, which is tied to their budget as well as processes. Some can have a dedicated or private Cloud, others at community level while some others can subscribe to public cloud services.
Accrets International helps you adopt and implement suitable cloud services for your business.
We help operate cloud technologies so you are free to focus on your business.
