What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of various computing services, such as storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence - over the internet. The users can remotely access and use these resources on-demand from the provider's data centers instead of owning and maintaining physical hardware and software. This offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness for businesses and individuals.
Is cloud computing a new technology per se? In other words, what are the unique technology features of cloud computing, if any?
It is more accurate to refer to it as a concept that has evolved over years and has been enabled by advancements in various technologies. Some unique features of cloud computing include:
1) On-Demand Self-Service: Users can provision and manage resources, i.e. computing power or storage, without requiring human intervention from the service provider.
2) Broad Network Access - Cloud services are accessible over the internet from various devices, enabling users to access their applications and data from virtually anywhere.
3) Rapid Elasticity - Resources can be quickly scaled up or down to accommodate changing workloads, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.
What are the three major cloud service models?
The three major cloud service models include:
1) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): It provides virtualized computing resources over the internet whereby users can rent virtual machines, storage, and networking components on a pay-as-you-go basis.
2) Platform as a Service (PaaS): It offers a platform that includes not only infrastructure but also development tools, databases, middleware, and runtime environments, enabling developers to streamline the application development process.
3) Software as a Service (SaaS): It delivers fully functional software applications over the internet on a subscription basis whereby users can access these applications through a web browser without needing to install or maintain them locally.
Name at least 3 real-world domains where the application of cloud computing was (or can be) very enabling and effective.
1) E-commerce: Cloud computing has revolutionized the e-commerce industry by providing scalable infrastructure to handle varying levels of traffic, especially during peak shopping seasons. Retailers can use cloud resources to quickly scale up their websites and applications to accommodate high user demand, ensuring smooth shopping experiences for customers.
2) Healthcare: It has also transformed the healthcare sector by enabling secure storage and sharing of electronic health records (EHRs), medical images, and patient data. Cloud services can be utilized to store and analyze large volumes of medical data.
3) Education: By providing remote access to educational resources, online learning platforms, and collaboration tools, educational institutions can now deliver course materials, virtual classrooms, and interactive content to students worldwide, fostering flexible and accessible learning opportunities.
What is the economic/business model of cloud computing?
The economic/business model of cloud computing focuses on providing flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability to businesses, allowing them to focus on their core activities while leaving the management of IT resources to specialized providers.
1) Pay-as-You-Go: Customers are charged for the actual amount of resources they use.
2) Subscription-Based: Customers pay a recurring fee for a specific set of features, resources, or services.
3) Free Tier and Tiered Pricing: Many cloud providers offer a free tier with limited resources to attract users and allow them to explore the platform.
4) Customizable Plans: Customizable plans allow businesses to tailor resources and features to their specific requirements.
5) Reduced Upfront Costs: Cloud computing eliminates the need for businesses to invest in and maintain their own physical infrastructure and instead, shifts the cost to operational expenses, making it easier for businesses to budget and plan.
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