Cloud Computing - Research Paper Example

?CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud Computing Affiliation Table of Contents Technology Overview 3 How Cloud Computing works? 4 Cloud computing basic structure 7 Advantages of Cloud Computing 8 Cost reduction 8 Pay per use 9 Going Green 9 Cloud computing implementation issues 9 Conclusion 10 References 10 Introduction The innovations in the area of information technology have offered wonderful opportunities to the business organizations. The latest tools and techniques offered by the information technologies enabled organizations to automate their business processes and as a result improve their business performance. Though, the ideas of remote working, storage, processing and communication are not new. In every decade we seen a lot of efforts and developments carried out in these areas however at the present we actually see this idea as a real implementation. In this scenario, cloud computing is an emerging trend in computing industry. This paper presents a detailed analysis of cloud computing technology. This paper discusses the technology structure, working, advantages and operational services of the cloud computing. This paper will also discuss some of the important issues which are presently hindering in the way of successful application of the cloud computing. Technology Overview Cloud computing has crossed the boundaries of a number of innovative technology ideas such as grid, distributed and utility computing, though it does cover its own denotation if contextually utilized properly. In addition, the theoretical overlap is partially because of technology transformations, practices and applications over the years. Cloud computing refers to the use of a cloud image to indicate the internet or a number of huge networked arrangements. Though, people are not concerned a great deal with what is in the cloud or what goes on there apart from that they actually rely on consistently transmitting data to as well as receiving information and data from it. Additionally, the cloud computing is at the present linked with a high level idea of the cloud. Instead of using routers, pipes and servers for transferring data and information, people use cloud services (Hartig, 2009; TechTarget, 2012). Though, the integration of software and hardware is certainly there however there exists superior service potential to develop and implement such systems. In addition, at the back of such services a lot of data and computing resources exist, but a user of such computing service does not unavoidably care for how it is applied, what systems and technologies are employed or how it is handled. Simply there is an easy access to it as well as has a level of dependability essential to convene the working and application needs (Hartig, 2009; TechTarget, 2012). How Cloud Computing works? Cloud computing offers several advantages such as possible energy reduction and modernization of business operations. In this scenario, instead of installing a number of software applications on each computer, we only need to load one application. That system application would permit staff members to log into a web-based communication service that hosts all the applications that would be required by the user in order to perform desired job. In this scenario, the remote systems and machines are possessed by a different corporation would execute all the tasks varying from e-mail and word processing to difficult data analysis systems (Strickland, 2012; Strickland, 2012). In addition, the technology and architecture behind cloud computing guides to the group of unified storage systems, servers and control nodes that can facilitate distributed computing. Additionally, every cloud computing based arrangement normally has a client computer and front end and a back end that consists of software systems and servers, and a number of categories of control node and data storage. In this scenario, the network that puts together all the things is most significant side that could be linked with cloud computing design. As well, the components of a cloud computing arrangement can be connected with each other by means of web/internet, and the client normally accesses them by means of internet (Laukkonen, 2012; Hartig, 2009; Strickland, 2012). Moreover, the hardware part of a cloud computing arrangement normally communicates by means of APIs (application programming interfaces), like that a variety of web application services. In addition, the front end of the structural design, that is what the client or user of the service observes as well as works with, can have a variety of attractive interfaces. In this scenario, most of the examples of cloud computing utilize general interfaces, like that web browsers, that could be used to access cloud based communication services like email. Additional uses of cloud computing comprise proprietary software systems that are designed for specific jobs (Laukkonen, 2012; Hartig, 2009; Strickland, 2012). Furthermore, the back end of the cloud computing design is normally composed of 3 major components. One of these parts is data storage, where data and information could be kept for later retrieval. In this scenario, users store data and information on the cloud by means of cloud systems and applications. In addition, the range of data that can be stored on a cloud is normally quite large to allow for redundancy. Thus, it is clear that the data storage part in cloud architecture is typically intended to keep additional data and information as computed to one copy of each data set in case one part of the system is damaged or unreachable (Laukkonen, 2012; Hartig, 2009; Strickland, 2012). I have presented below the pictorial demonstration of basic structure of cloud computing: Figure 1- Basic Structure, image source: http://blog.nimbo.com/tag/amazon/ Cloud computing basic structure Cloud computing structure includes so many innovative features of computing (from hardware to software) that a particular solution is not capable to offer it all. In addition, by offering a great deal of different kinds of services by means of cloud computing, it is helpful to convince the requirements of everybody. Normally, it includes the blend of the following: (Duncan, Chu, Vecchiola, & Buyya, 2009) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): It offers the computer communications, normally a virtualized computer system as a service. In this scenario, the end users have complete control over the virtualized computer systems as well as are able to modify the case consequently. The virtualized systems are employed to offer multi-tenancy as well as isolation to the users, for instance different virtual cases can be assigned to a single physical system. In addition, instead of purchasing the physical servers, IaaS charges a price on a utility based on the use of the computing services and resources (Duncan, Chu, Vecchiola, & Buyya, 2009). Platform as a Service (PaaS): It conceals all the issues and complexity of angling and manages the necessary hardware, which offers the services required to complete whole lifecycle of building and deploying web systems and application as well as services completely (Duncan, Chu, Vecchiola, & Buyya, 2009). Software as a Service (SaaS): it offers a model of software implementation where a supplier offers its software as a service to be hired or utilized by the clients on demand (Duncan, Chu, Vecchiola, & Buyya, 2009). Figure 2- Technology Arrangement, Image Source: http://texdexter.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/the-structure-of-the-new-it-frontier-cloud-computing-%E2%80%93-part-i/ Advantages of Cloud Computing This section presents some of the important advantages of cloud computing services: (Schubert, 2010; salesforce.com, inc., 2012; Blogspot, 2012; Tadjer, 2012) Cost reduction Cost reduction is one of the primary objectives of any business. Through the application of the cloud computing services an organization can reduce various costs such as software license and hardware cost. Pay per use Pay per use is the ability to build up price from the actual consumption of computing resources is a significant feature of cloud computing. In addition, one of the main financial drivers for the present level of attraction of cloud computing is the structural transformation in this area. Additionally, by shifting from normal capital and open investment model to an operational cost model, cloud computing allowed business organizations to speed up the development of innovative solutions. Going Green The new idea in this age is the deployment of such systems those are more aligned with green computing concept. Going green is relevant not simply to lessen extra expenses of power utilization, however as well to minimize the carbon footprint. In this scenario cloud computing offers an excellent support for reducing the power consumption and use. Cloud computing implementation issues There are still many issues and problems those are hindering in the successful implementations of cloud computing. In this scenario, one of the main issues that we face is about “data security”. A large number of business corporations various security threats such as theft of data and information. This concern is vital because precious data and information of a firm is stored at 3rd party organization that is cause of main concern. In addition, many corporations are in problem due to heavy cost of migration of large system from one end to other. In this scenario there are many issues which can take place while shifting to cloud computing based arrangement (Ladeinde, 2011; Crusader, 2010). Conclusion The innovations in the area of information technology have offered wonderful opportunities to the business organizations. The latest tools and techniques offered by the information technologies enabled organizations to automate their business processes and as a result improve their business performance. Cloud computing has crossed the boundaries of a number of innovative technology ideas such as grid, distributed and utility computing, though it does cover its own denotation if contextually utilized properly. Cloud computing refers to the use of a cloud image to indicate the internet or a number of huge networked arrangements. This paper has presented a detailed overview of cloud computing. This paper has discussed the advantages and basic structure of cloud computing. References Blogspot. (2012). Subscribe To Own As New Lease To Own. Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://cloudcomputing.blogspot.com/ Crusader, L. (2010). Problems Faced by Cloud Computing. Retrieved January 22, 2012, from http://dl.packetstormsecurity.net/papers/general/ProblemsFacedbyCloudComputing.pdf Duncan, D., Chu, X., Vecchiola, C., & Buyya, R. (2009, September 09). The Structure of the New IT Frontier: Cloud Computing – Part I. Retrieved January 22, 2012, from http://texdexter.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/the-structure-of-the-new-it-frontier-cloud-computing-%E2%80%93-part-i/ Hartig, K. (2009, December 13). What is Cloud Computing? Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/node/579826 Ladeinde, F. (2011, December 19). Nigeria: Cloud Computing Issues. Retrieved January 22, 2012, from http://allafrica.com/stories/201112191853.html Laukkonen, J. (2012). What Is Cloud Computing Architecture? Retrieved January 21, 2012, from WiseGeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cloud-computing-architecture.htm salesforce.com, inc. (2012). What is cloud computing? Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://www.salesforce.com/cloudcomputing/ Schubert, L. (2010). The Future of Cloud Computing. Retrieved January 23, 2012, from http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/ssai/docs/cloud-report-final.pdf Strickland, J. (2012). How Cloud Computing Works? Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing.htm Tadjer, R. (2012). What Is Cloud Computing? Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372163,00.asp TechTarget. (2012). Cloud Computing. Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing Read More