What is Cloud Computing?

Instead of owning and maintaining your own physical data centers and servers, you access these resources from a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) on an as-needed basis.

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Think of it like this:

• Traditional Computing: Owning your own physical music library (CDs, records)
• Cloud Computing: Streaming music online (Spotify, Apple Music)

• Traditional Computing: Storing files on your personal computer's hard drive
• Cloud Computing: Storing files online (Google Drive, Dropbox)

• Traditional Computing: Running software installed directly on your computer
• Cloud Computing: Using web-based applications (Google Docs, Salesforce)

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Key Characteristics of Cloud Computing:

To further understand what cloud computing is, let's look at its essential characteristics:

• On-demand Self-service:
  • Get resources like server time and storage instantly via a web interface, without needing direct provider interaction.
  • Think of it as ordering takeout online – you select what you need and it's ready.

• Broad Network Access:
  • Access cloud services from any device (phone, tablet, laptop) with an internet connection using standard methods.
  • Just like checking your email from any device.

• Resource Pooling:
  • Cloud providers group their resources to serve many users simultaneously, dynamically allocating and reallocating based on demand.
  • Imagine a shared office space where resources like meeting rooms and internet are used by different companies efficiently.

• Rapid Elasticity:
  • Easily scale resources up or down automatically based on your needs. Capacity often seems limitless.
  • Like a video streaming service that handles millions of viewers during a popular show and then scales down afterward.

• Measured Service:
  • Resource usage is tracked and billed accordingly (e.g., storage used, processing time). This provides transparency and a pay-as-you-go model.
  • Similar to how you pay for the electricity or water you consume.

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Analogy: The Utility Company

A helpful analogy for understanding cloud computing is the utility company (electricity, water).

• Traditional IT (Owning a Generator/Well):
  • You would need to purchase, install, and maintain your own power generator or water well.
  • This involves upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and the risk of over-provisioning (having more capacity than you need) or under-provisioning (not having enough).

• Cloud Computing (Using the Utility Service):
  • You simply connect to the utility grid or water supply and pay for what you consume. The utility company handles the infrastructure, maintenance, and scaling.
  • You can increase or decrease your usage as needed, and you only pay for what you use.

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In essence, cloud computing allows you to access and utilize IT resources as a service over the internet, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency.

We'll explore the "benefits" aspect in our next subtopic.