What is cloud computing? Learn about the term below
Those who do not know what it is about, seek to know more about the subject, those who know, look for ways to implement it and those who already use it, always talk about the excellent results they get with it. If you are in the first group and the concept of cloud computing is making your head spin, in this article you will discover everything you need to know about cloud computing , the Internet cloud. Keep reading!
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing (or cloud computing , in English) is a technology that allows remote access, from anywhere in the world and at any time, to software, file storage and data processing through the Internet, without the need for connect to a personal computer or local server. In other words, cloud computing uses the large-scale connectivity of the Internet to host the most varied resources, programs, and information, and allows the user to access them through any computer, tablet, or cell phone. If it’s still not clear, let me illustrate: If you’ve ever edited a document in Google Docs, listened to music on Spotify, or watched a movie on Netflix , you’ve had direct contact with cloud computing. All of them are online services that do not require the download, installation and access of any type of software or file on your computer. You only need a browser and a good Internet connection to use them.
What is cloud computing for?
If we analyze the traditional computing model, in which users and companies need to invest in downloads, hardware, operating systems and software to run some type of application, it is easy to understand why cloud computing has become so popular. The cloud emerged as a way to democratize information and improve the experience of those who depend on technological resources on a personal or professional level.
Cloud computing brought with it innumerable advantages. Opting for a cloud service allows:
- The reduction of costs with infrastructure: since it eliminates the capital expense with purchases of hardware and software, installation and maintenance;
- The economy of space: since the resources remain stored online;
- The centralization of information: avoiding that all the data is kept in different programs, with different types of authentication and forms of access;
- The increase or decrease according to the client’s need: thanks to the power of elasticity that provides the ideal amount of resources, storage and processing;
- Remote work: company officials can access all the data through any computer, notebook, tablet or smartphone, as long as they are connected to the Internet.
Besides, we can mention the quality of the security, the automatic updating of the server, the usability of the platforms, the technical assistance services and backups. In the midst of so many benefits, cloud computing has become the favorite option for a large part of companies and users in general. Not surprisingly, practically everything we currently consume on the Internet — social networks, file storage, streaming video and music — comes from applications and services hosted in the cloud.
How does cloud computing work?
Cloud computing uses a remote server to connect user devices to centralized resources. A remote server stores all the data and programs you need, and it can be in your own country or on the other side of the world, for example, in Japan. The fact is that you can access them over the Internet, from anywhere, even if they are stored miles away. There are 3 types of cloud computing: public, private, and hybrid . If you are a business and you plan to use a cloud service, keep in mind that your choice will depend on factors related to cost, availability, performance, and expectations. Here’s how each cloud works:
public cloud
They are computing resources, such as servers and storage, provided by a third party and available to any person or company that wishes to hire them. In this model, the client is responsible for what will be sent to the cloud, be it a backup, an application or some files, while the cloud provider is concerned with the maintenance, security and management of all resources. In the public cloud, everything is available on the web and shared among multiple users using simultaneously (but separately), keeping resources standardized. By offering unified solutions, this model ends up being more economical. Therefore, the public cloud is indicated for businesses that want to save on investment.
private cloud
In this model, the company maintains the cloud infrastructure in its internal domain and offers restricted access to selected users, such as officials and partners. The private cloud offers the company the ability to customize features and support to its needs. Since the cloud is designed exclusively for it, all processes are directed to the reality of the business. In general, the private cloud is used by organizations that must follow certain regulations and specific standards on data and information security and privacy , such as some financial and government institutions.
hybrid cloud
Finally, when we talk about the hybrid cloud, we are referring to the union of the two previous ones, that is, the combination that allows them to share data and applications between them. Thus, according to the business need and strategy, some resources are used privately, others are used publicly or are linked through technologies.
