Concepts of Cloud Computing - Essay Example

Introduction: Cloud computing is one of the most talked about and prominent concepts in the modern times. It is still in its infancy yet owing to thelarge amount of potential and positive aspects, it is believed to be the technology that will virtually bring about a revolution in the field of digital technologies. It has its own benefits owing to the different environments and circumstances. It finds its usage among the domestic users as well as the corporate enterprises and other global businesses. Objectives: This paper looks into the starting concept of cloud computing, how it works, how does it benefit the modern day digital users and how does it pose questions and challenges with regard to the status quo and pre defined mindset that may not want to think out of the box. The cloud computing concept in contrast is one state of the art technology that enables achieving the little thought about. Finally, overcoming the concerns that are present in general understanding with regard to the overall performance and durability of cloud computing in the larger spectrum. Basic understanding of cloud computing: Broadly the cloud computing concepts are divided into the three domains. These include the Infrastructure as a Service feature (IAAS), Platform as a Service function (PAAS) and Software as a Service Feature (SAAS) (McAfee). With overall advancements and congestion of the digital network the need is being felt for bringing about a concept that will lighten up the already burdened digital interface. For this purpose the cloud computing concept and technology has been introduced which is believe to benefit the servers as well as the end users in an equal proportion. Andrew McAfee (McAfee) has addressed one critical area with regard to the overall concept of cloud computing. It is the fact that it is high time that the cloud computing be translated into practical actions and should not be limited to the trial versions and testing any more. This claim and need finds strength based on the grounds that the giants in the different sectors are still reluctant to incorporate the cloud computing in totality. Critical constrains: It is an established fact that every new technology brings along number of considerations challenges and questions that need to be addressed. The same is true about the cloud computing concepts. These include factors as followings: Cost consideration: Security consideration: Reliability: Regulations: Each of these pertain to an important aspect of how the new technology will unfold. The cost consideration is the question subject to the cloud computing technology and its potential compatibility with the other existing networks. In case if it does not bear any resemblance and coherence to the previously existing technologies, the cloud computing becomes a costly affair in terms of its application and implementation. This angle is assessed from the infrastructural view point, the hardware perspective and the overall vendors perspective how it correlates to the marketing trends. The second factor is that of the security aspect. Ensuring that the system does not exhibit any major breaches because the online global multinational organizations are connected to one another through the fragile medium and failure to preserve for the system security will amount to the overall failure and bad reputation of the incumbent technology that is strongly being advocated for in the modern marketing terms. This paper looks at a length at the security aspect, considerations and constraints with regard to the cloud computing. It also talks of how the number of cases have come forth in the recent past with regard to the cloud computing. Cloud computing and corporate enterprises: In the case of corporate world and global businesses, the cloud computing success is attributed to the effective manpower and top management. The cloud computing concept requires critical decisions making as well as the timely decisions with regard to the implementation of the cloud technology. The claim for cloud computing technology incorporation is strengthened by the surveys and findings of the IBM based annual findings with regard to the overall lag and stiffness in the global markets and decision making. In response to the overall scenario and situation at hand, the survey found out that the cloud computing was the most suited medium and source towards resolving the issues faced by the top management of the global front runner enterprises in the business community. The cloud computing would provide them with an edge and platform which will enable incorporating the hardware and software in a more comprehensive manner. The benefits of cloud computing: One of the salient features and gifts of cloud computing is its capability to empowering the users with regard to the freedom in terms of choice of utilities and other functions usage within the network. It virtually removes the need for the internal F.T.P based servers that are installed within the network and each of it aims at providing the information that is stored in the intensively structured databases. The cloud computing concept eliminates such a scenario and allows fast and timely retrieving of information and data. The case of Balfour: Balfour has been actively in function for over a decade and the overall organizational performance saw a glitch in terms of the internally extensive databases. This can be eliminated in form of the full integration into the cloud computing technology. It has done it so through the process of introducing the Box adoption which allows for providing the same concepts as that of overall cloud computing phenomena. The other benefits provided by Box included protected individual I.D and full authentication and access to the database. CSC has also incorporated itself into the concept of cloud through the similar application named Jive. C3 is another similar application aimed at providing the users with freedom from the databases and other complicated systems based networks. Private clouds: This feature is largely helpful towards the large sized organizations and enterprises that aim at establishing the state of the art technology supported cloud concepts. It will allow for creating a virtual private network like system that is absolutely free from any interference and any hack or disruption of data in any given scenario or circumstances. All this said, there are still number of steps in between with regard to the true transformation and implementation of the technology and the promises shown. This was shown by the surveys undertaken by Information week. The companies that aim at getting enrolled into the spectrum of cloud computing can do so through a series of steps and actions. These include a multi tier and multi layer staged process such as experimental based operations, and incorporating the partnership and willingness of the entire stakeholder taking them into confidence with regard to the desire of introducing the cloud computing concepts. The challenge of reliability: Every new technology is questioned for reliability. The case of cloud computing is no exception and there have been certain instances and cases where the cloud has been questioned with regard to its support for heavy traffic based traffic and potential backup in case of outside attack. One similar case came forth in 2011 when the Amazon servers that are supported by the cloud computing technology were fully halted owing to the potential blame upon the cloud computing. However while all this happened, the Netflix, a major name in the modern day digital world remained totally safe from the system breakdown upon the cloud network. Such breakdowns are to be addressed and clearly defined with regard to the future working and ensuring that it can attract the customers’ attention in the longer run. The futuristic trends in the cloud computing must be free of any security breaches or any system break down. Cloud computing must bring along the aspects which will enable winning the trust of the organizations along with the fault proof services enabling maximum output and little disruption as compared to the other existing technologies. Security aspect: Harvard Law school experts Jonathan Zittrain is still skeptical of the overall usage of cloud computing and the possible down sides of its overall security based infrastructure. While it is an established fact that the cloud computing provides features that are far more flexible and easy to access, the same feature may prove as a negative and this may come about in the form of a potential password breach which will lead to the direct entry into the network. Hence this is one major concern expressed against the cloud computing technology and this must be resolved. Building the internal premises within the cloud computing system based support structure can allow for a more safe option with regard to using cloud technologies. Governmental support: United States of America is the front runner in the modern technologies. Seeing the overall potential in the cloud computing technology the CIO approved of large amount of budget and capital with regard to the investment and further enrichment of the field and technology of cloud computing. The net amount dedicated for further research, introduction and research work with regard to familiarizing the people with the cloud computing technology amounted to over twenty billion dollars in total. This is a considerable and positive amount which will enable forwarding the technology to the domains where it is more needed with regard to advancements and better outcomes in the organizational field. Conclusion: while cloud computing technology can be termed as a technology that is still in its infancy, it has shown the promise and has also caught the attention of the people who are associated with the digital data usage. It however leaves number of questions that are to be addressed along with the large scale implementation. Cloud computing has a lot of promise to it and this can be reflected by the large amount of investments and capital being spent by the different enterprises as well as the government entities seeking to bring about more development and making this a technology of future. Further, the presence of effective team along with the individuals who are sufficiently advanced in their knowledge, thinking and ability to adapt to the modern technology, its needs and its dynamics also make up for an integral part of cloud computing concept. This point is strongly stressed for the writer as well. References: McAfee, Andrew. "What Every CEO needs to know about The CLoud." monthly. 2011 Read More