Concepts of Cloud Computing - Report Example

Cloud Computing Student Name Tutor Course Institution Date Introduction Cloud computing involves the use of computing resources that are interlinked through the internet. The operations of cloud computing mainly involve the use of a computer for carrying out different functions depending on the specialization of the user. The concept ensures that the user can operate specific functions at any time or place without necessarily using their own computers. It is for this reason that cloud computing is mainly defined as using someone else computer to carry out operations. This means that the users do not have to invest in the computer infrastructure but utilize the existing infrastructure which is connected through the internet. Through cloud computing, it is possible to run a program by use of many connected computers (Armbrust, 2010). The programs can also be run at the same time but different places. The concepts of cloud computing became popular after the introduction of the internet. The increase in the aces to the internet among most people allover the world also greatly contributed to the growth of cloud computing. Cloud diagrams are used to represent the internet as well as connections between a numbers of computers in information technology. The rise of hardware virtualization as well as low cost computers has also played an important role in terms of enhancing the growth of the concept. The paper thus discusses the concepts of cloud computing together with its advantages. Concepts of cloud computing Characteristics Cloud computing concepts exhibit certain characteristics which have greatly contributed to its growth and development. The application programming interface is one of the main characteristics of cloud computing. This enables the interaction of the user and the computer to occur. The capital expenditure is usually converted into the operational expenditure in cloud computing. This means that the cloud computing concepts plays an important role in terms of lowering the costs for the users. On the other hand, the access to cloud computing is independent of the location and device. The users can utilize the computers or mobile phones to aces the services of cloud computing. This can be done at anytime anywhere since the concept utilizes the web connections. The users can use to the web browsers to carry out their operations using the cloud computing concept. The virtualization technology is also utilized during the cloud computing process. This is important in terms of ensuring that the servers and storage devices can be shared. It is also through the use of virtualization technology that it is possible to migrate from one server to the other during the operations. The sharing of resources is also one of the most important characteristics of cloud computing. Through cloud computing, it is always common for the users to share the costs as well as resources and hence making the concept popular. Redundant sites are used in cloud computing and hence improving the reliability of the system among the individuals and groups of users (Velte, et al, 2009). The users do not have to engineer for peak loads when dealing with cloud computing. This is because of its scalability and elasticity. This is also achieved through the provisioning of resources and hence enabling the self service. On the other hand, the interface is manly composed of loosely coupled architecture which is also constructed by the use of the web services. This plays an important role in terms of monitoring the performance of the system and hence promoting efficiency. Since the concept is utilized by a number of users, the issue of security is critical. However the users always contribute in terms of resources to ensure that their data is secure. This better as compared to the ordinary system since the individuals are directly responsible for the security of their system. Some of the components of security may prove to be too expensive to the individuals and hence disadvantaging them. Maintenance is also a sensitive issue when dealing with systems. However, cloud computing applications are easy to maintain despite the wide range of computers being used. Human interaction is also minimized with each of the services through the user of cloud computing. This is because it mainly utilizes the concepts of on demand self service. The control of resources is also one of the characteristics of cloud computing. The system has the potential of automatically controlling the resources through metering as well as measuring the service. It is evident from the characteristics that the concepts of cloud computing is for the purposes of promoting efficiency. Advantages Cloud computing is advantageous to organizations and individuals in terms of reducing costs. In order for a company to have an efficient system in place, it has to invest heavily on the information technology infrastructure. This means that a company has to purchase computers and also install the internet. This is usually very costly as frequent maintenance for the infrastructure will also be required. However, with the use of cloud computing, the organization eliminates the cost of infrastructure as it is already in place. An organization may thus use the funds to invest in other activities. Developing an information technology infrastructure is also difficult for individuals and hence the advantage offered by the cloud computing. It is also important to note that the traditional way is far much expensive. This is because the company or individuals have to purchase certain hardware which depreciates with time. It therefore means that the individuals or organizations have to replace the hardware over a period of time which is expensive. However, with the use of cloud computing, the issue of replacing the worn out hardware is not applicable and hence its advantage. The users instead have to pay for the services whenever they want to use it which is less costly as compared to setting up an infrastructure. It may also take a lot of time to set up the information technology infrastructure up to the time that it will be fully operational. However, with the use of cloud computing, the users automatically uses the system once the required steps are implemented which takes very little time (Nurmi, 2009). Remote accessibility is also one of the major advantages of cloud computing. This means that a business does not have to be restricted in a certain location in order to carry out the operations. Through the use of cloud computing, it is possible to access the services from anywhere in any part of the world. The only requirement is the username and the password. This is advantageous for a business organization as it is easy to for the managers to monitor the operations of the business from any part of the world. On the other hand, it is also convenient to the customers who can access the services of a company from any part of the world. It is also import to note that extra security may be required in some instances while using the cloud computing due to the sensitive nature of some information. However, this problem has been solved as the security requirements are also mobile and hence allowing the user to operate from any part of the world. It is thus evident that the remote accessibility of the cloud computing is an advantage to a business organization. This also plays an important role in terms of reducing the costs. This is because the mobility lowers the costs of setting up business infrastructure in a certain permanent location for the purposes of running the business. This also ensures that the monitoring of the business is made easy as it can be done from any part of the world (Buyya, 2009). The environmental concerns have been on the rise in the recent past. Governments as well as other non state actors have been pushing for environmental friendly components. The reduction of carbon emission in the atmosphere has also caused a lot of concern allover the world. Cloud computing is environmental friendly due to its concepts. It is tailor made and hence and hence enabling the users to use it immediately. This plays an important role in terms of reducing the use of electricity. The traditional way requires heavy use of electricity for the purposes of cooling off the computers and its components. This leads to a lot of dangerous emission to the atmosphere and hence encouraging the carbon accumulation in the atmosphere. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the use of cloud computing saves the electricity and hence reducing the electricity bills. This is an advantage to organizations as well as individuals besides reducing the carbon emission. Most of the companies are also striving at reducing the carbon footprints and it has become an important goal for the companies. This is one of the main methods that are used by organizations to reduce the carbon emission. On the other hand, organizations that have put measures to reduce the carbon emissions have won several awards as well as recognition. It is thus evident that cloud computing is friendly to the environment and it plays an important role in promoting sustainability. A company therefore benefits from cloud computing while at the same time encourages the environmental protection measures. Cloud computing is very flexible to the users and hence advantages. This is because it is easy to expand a business when using cloud computing as opposed to the traditional methods. The traditional method required additional infrastructure in order to expand the business. This is however different with cloud computing. When using cloud computing, the business organization only has to inform the cloud provider about the expansion. The requirements also need to be availed to the cloud provider. This leads to automatic allocation of the extra resources needed for expansion. Unlike the traditional means where expansion takes a lot of time, the process of expansion using cloud computing only takes a few minutes. It is also important to note that the process is also automated and it only requires a few minutes for it to be completed. On the other hand, it is also easy to make adjustments incase the user intends to use less resources. This flexibility therefore means that the process is aimed at meting the demands of the business. It totally eliminates the wastage of resources which is common with the traditional methods. This also plays an important role in terms of saving costs by proper utilization of resources. The use of cloud computing therefore provides the users with an efficient method of utilizing the resources effectively. Easy expansion is an important option that is provided by cloud computing and it is convenient to most of the businesses. It is also important to note that cloud computing encourages the growth and development of a business (Raicu, 2008). Security Data security is the most important aspect of any business. This is because most of the information is classified and could result to losses for the company incase the rivals access the data. It is for this reason that the security of data is highly considered. Cloud computing is more secure than the traditional methods of data handling and storage. This is because cloud computing is not less prone to hacking as compared to the ordinary methods (Ryan, 2011). The whereabouts of the data is not known and hence proving difficult for the hackers to access it. This is an advantage to a company as well as individual handling confidential information. On the other hand, data loss has a lot of negative impacts to business organization. Data loss in most cases results from outage. However, with cloud computing, data loss is rare. This is because cloud has the ability to offer real time back up. Back up servers are also present when using the cloud computing system for the purposes of dealing with outage. This ensures that data is not lost at any point of transition. It is thus evident that cloud computing has important features that are meant to guard the data from unauthorized access as well as loss. As compared to the traditional means, a company is more secure in terms of storage of confidential data as compared to the traditional methods. The data security is beneficial to organizations as well as the individuals who are using the concepts of cloud computing. Cloud computing and the future Cloud computing has a bright future due to the high number of individuals as well as organizations adopting it. Through cloud computing, most of the organizations have been able to meet their goals and objectives. This has also been strengthened by the fact that most of the companies find cloud computing an important tool for reducing carbon emission. On the other hand, most companies considers business agility as one of the strengths of cloud computing. The use of software as a service is also on the increase and it is also one of the most important concept of cloud computing. This is an indication that cloud computing has a bright future. The use of platform as a services as well as infrastructure as a service is also on the increase. These concepts are directly related to cloud computing and hence an indication that cloud computing is increasingly wining the supports of most individuals as well as organizations. Most of the organizations are also using the cloud computing services due to the advantage it has in terms of infrastructure. The use of cloud computing services is also proving to be efficient for most of the users. This has lead to the attraction of more users in terms of utilizing the cloud services. The increase in popularity of cloud computing has also had some impacts on the traditional methods. Most of the users who have stopped relying on the traditional methods do so because of the efficiency of cloud computing. According to the developing trends, cloud computing has a bright future. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that cloud computing concepts are aimed at improving various business operations. Individuals also benefits from the services of cloud computing due to its unique characteristics. On the other hand, it is also evident that the characteristics are far much superior as compared to the traditional systems. Cloud computing has a lot of benefits to its users. The reduced infrastructure cost is considered as the major advantage of cloud computing. It is also evident that it is environmentally friendly and hence its widespread use. The ability of cloud computing services to be accessed from any location is also a major advantage that encourages its use. Its flexibility together with the security measures are also important in terms of ensuring that the confidential information of the organization or individual is protected. It is also evident tat the use of cloud computing is increasingly becoming popular among most individuals and organizations. This is a clear indication that cloud computing has a bright future and it is set to experience a higher rate of usage in future. List of References Raicu, I, 2008, Cloud computing and grid computing 360-degree compared, In Grid Computing Environments Workshop, 2008. GCE'08 (pp. 1-10). Buyya, R, 2009, Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility, Future Generation computer systems, 25(6), 599-616. Nurmi, D, 2009, The eucalyptus open-source cloud-computing system, In Cluster Computing and the Grid, 2009. CCGRID'09. 9th IEEE/ACM International Symposium on (pp. 124-131). Velte, T, et al, 2009, Cloud computing, a practical approach, McGraw-Hill, Inc. Ryan, K, 2011, "Flogger: A File-centric Logger for Monitoring File Access and Transfers within Cloud Computing Environments", Proceedings of the 10th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy of Computing and Communications (TrustCom-11): 765. Armbrust, M, 2010, "A view of cloud computing", Communication of the ACM 53 (4): 50–58. Read More