By Cloud computing is a term used to describe both a platform and a type of application. A cloud computing platform dynamically provisions, configures, re-configures, and de-provisions servers as needed. Cloud servers are physical machines or virtual machines. Advanced clouds typically include other computing resources such as storage area networks (SANs), network equipments, firewalls, and other types of security devices. Cloud computing also describes applications that can be easily accessed through the Internet. Cloud applications utilize huge data centers and robust servers that host Web applications and Web services. Anyone with a suitable Internet connection and a standard Web browser can access a cloud application.
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Cloud comprises of a huge pool of virtualized computer resources. A cloud can host a variety of different workloads, including batch style back end jobs and interactive, user facing applications. Cloud allows workloads to be deployed and scaled out quickly through the rapid provisioning of virtual machines or physical machines. Cloud supports redundant, self recovering, highly scalable programming models that allow workloads to recover from many unavoidable hardware and software failures. Cloud computing technology allows monitoring of resource use in real time to enable rebalancing of allocations when ever required.
Cloud computing environments support grid computing by quickly providing physical and virtual servers on which the grid applications can run. Cloud computing should not be confused with grid computing. Grid computing involves dividing a large task into many smaller tasks that run in parallel on separate servers. Grids require many computers, typically in the thousands, and commonly use servers, desktops, and laptops.
Cloud computing technology also supports non-grid environments, such as a three tier Web architecture running standard or Web 2.0 applications. A cloud is more than a collection of computer resources because cloud computing technology also provides a mechanism to manage those resources. Management includes tasks, such as, provisioning, change requests, re-imaging, workload re-balancing, de-provisioning, and monitoring.
Cloud Computing Benefits
Application hosting service providers which utilize cloud hosting technology allow small and medium size enterprises or SMEs to achieve more efficient use of IT hardware and software investments. They do this by breaking down the physical barriers inherent in isolated systems, and automating the management of the group of systems as a single entity. Cloud Computing is an example of an ultimately virtualized system, and a natural evolution for data centers that employ automated systems management, workload balancing, and virtualization technologies.
A cloud infrastructure offers a cost efficient model for delivering information services, reducing IT management complexity, promoting innovation, and increasing responsiveness through real time workload balancing.
The Cloud makes it possible to launch Web 2.0 applications quickly and to scale up applications as much as needed. The platform supports traditional Java and Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP (LAMP) stack based applications as well as new architectures such as MapReduce and the Google File System, which provide a means to scale applications across thousands of servers instantly. Cloud Hosting is possible for many applications – Windows Server software, MS SQL Server, QuickBooks accounting software, MS Office Server, ACT! CRM, ProSeries Tax software, Drake Tax software, Lacerte Tax software, ATX tax software, MS Project, etc. Storage and maintenance of large volumes of data is a reality with cloud hosting technology.
Large amounts of computer resources, in the form of virtual machines, can be provisioned and made available for new applications within minutes instead of days or weeks. Developers can gain access to these resources through a portal and put them to use immediately. Several products are available that provide virtual machine capabilities, including proprietary ones such as VMware, and open source alternatives, such as XEN.
Many customers are interested in cloud infrastructures to serve as platforms for innovation, particularly in countries that want to foster the development of a highly skilled, high-tech work force. They want to provide startups and research organizations with an environment for idea exchange, and the ability to rapidly develop and deploy new product prototypes.
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