UNDERSTANDING THE CLOUD CONCEPT

All clouds are data centers or multiple data centers made up of computer storage resources connected by a network. BUT, what makes a data center “cloud”, is all those resources are virtualized and interconnected into one big joint shared folder resources, which can be intelligently and automatically understand. That means it can adapt neatly ever-changing needs of your apps and ever-changing utilization and availability of each resource.

Today's Cloud is SMART, AUTOMATED & ADOPTED 

• Apps can be deployed more quickly with custom provisioning boxes.
• Once deployed those apps can be dynamically scaled on demand.
• Resources used for congestion and failure can be resolved automatically.
• Simply, the cloud can be more efficient and cost-effective than the traditional data center. 

CLOUD AS DEPLOYMENT

• Public Cloud:

Public cloud is something which most people think of when they talk about cloud. What makes them public is they hosted by a cloud service provider who rent space in the cloud to their mini customers. It usage Pay per Use Model, that’s the reason it is the most popular cloud. Much like our electricity for energy needs.

Public clouds let you offload management and don’t mind up giving some control. That’s why they are the popular choice for hosting everyday apps like email, CRM, HR, and other business support APP.

• Private Cloud:

Private cloud basically means using a cloud infrastructure independently and solely by one particular organization. It is not shared between multiple companies/organizations but remotely located. These clouds can be available at the company’s premises but it’s a little more expensive.

A user gets all the goodness of cloud, but you can control and customize it according to your needs. That control is why many companies are migrating their database centers to the private cloud, Just to run core business APPS that provide unique, comparative managements like research, manufacturing, supply chain management and more.

• Hybrid Cloud:

There are hybrid cloud environments, they are hybrid because they are a combination of both Public and private clouds. Users get all the benefits of both and more like the ability to create new innovative apps with an answer in demand. Apps that can be deployed on the private cloud which converse to the public cloud during spikes. For example: a company can use a public cloud to communicate with their customers whereas storing their data with the private cloud.

• Community Cloud:

Community cloud implies an infrastructure that is shared between multiple companies. Normally with the shared data and data management needs. For example, a community cloud can belong to a more than one company where they are sharing application process for a similar purpose of a project. Community clouds can be located both on and off the company premises. 

Three Building Blocks of Cloud Service

All three allow users to run applications & store data online with flexibility. Each offers a different stage of security and control.

SaaS(Software-as-Service)

It allows users to run an existing online application in a computer system. Software as Service is the easiest way to cloud computing. Where off the self-applications are accessed over the internet. For Ex: Google(Google Docs), Microsoft(Microsoft office web apps) and Zoho offers online processor, spreadsheet and presentation packages. They also create SaaS tools including Pixlr, Jaycut, and Aviary as well as dedicated business applications like Netsuite, salesforce.

Advantage Of SaaS

• Free or Paid subscription
• Accessible From any computer on the internet
• Facilitates Collaborative Working
• Generic applications not always appropriate and suitable for business use.

PaaS(Platform-as-Service)

It allows users to create their own cloud application using supplier- specific tool and languages. It provides an environment and set of tools that allow users to create new online applications.

For Ex: Google(App Engine) enables anybody to develop, learn and maintain around web application on Google infrastructure. Microsoft also has Azure which allows you to develop upon windows application in Microsoft region of the cloud. Salesforce is also a big player on the PaaS landscape with offering force.com.

Google app engine on force.com also currently allow the application to be build to be hosted for free.

Pros and Cons of PaaS

• It allows users to build apps rapidly at low cost.
• Search applications may also be used privately within just born business on better way publicly.
• It says that adopting pass limit developers to the programming language and tools.
• There is also a risk of vendor lock-in as application getting build on one provider’s platform. 

IaaS(Infrastructure-as-Service)

It allows users to run the application on cloud hardware of their own choice. IaaS allows businesses to run whatever application is required on suppliers cloud hardware. This means an existing application can be migrated from company datacenter in order to reduce IT Support costs. The main fundamental unit of cloud infrastructure is the server. Today servers can also be physical or virtual.

Physical servers reside on an individual computer. In contrast, the virtual server instances or software control slices of real physical server put a share among many users by a process called virtualization.

Depending on the type of servers involved IaaS comes in four categories:

Firstly, the most secured and costly option is Private Cloud, Where a specific number of physical servers is dedicated to one customer.

Secondly, we have dedicated hosting, where a customer wants a physical server on demand where the cost and demand service also matching their requirement.

Thirdly, Hybrid hosting where it makes a physical server on virtual server instances or wanted on demand in an effort to reduce cost and further increased flexibility.

Finally, we have cloud hosting where the customer wants virtual server instances on demand and often on hourly basis.

Simple companies are now operating in the IaaS marketplace.

For EX: Amazon offers a number of cloud hosting product, which enables a variety of virtual server instances to be purchased by the hourly basis. These can be launched in minutes using an Amazon machine image or IMI configured either to customer specification or containing software of Oracle, Sun, IBM or other suppliers.

The wide range of cloud as services includes:

• Application 
• Database 
• Communication 
• Testing
• Information Sharing 
• Management 
• Storage and many more areas of service 

Managing and organizing cloud infrastructures can be significantly more complex than traditional data infrastructures. However, cloud infrastructures have the potential to become highly optimized in a challenging environment. Ensuring success on the cloud means making the right business decisions and executing the right technical choices. At scale, these challenges get extremely complex.