What is cloud computing
Those who do not know what it is about, seek to know more about it, those who know, seek ways to implement it and those who already use it, always talk about the excellent results they obtain with it.
If you are in the first group and the concept of cloud computing turns your head, 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 is a technology that allows you to remotely access software, file storage and data processing over the Internet from anywhere in the world at any time, without the need to connect to a personal computer or local server.
In other words, cloud computing uses the connectivity and large scale 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 give you an example: if you ever edited a document in Google Docs, listened to music in Spotify or watched a movie in Netflix, you had direct contact with cloud computing. All of these are online services that do not require you to download, install and access any type of software or file on your computer. You just need a browser and a good Internet connection to use them.
What is cloud computing for?
If we analyze the traditional model of computing, in which users and companies need to invest in downloads, hardware, operating systems and software to be able to run some kind of application, it is easy to understand why cloud computing became so popular.
The cloud emerged as a way of democratising information and improving the experience of those who depend on technological resources at a personal or professional level.
Cloud computing brought with it countless 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 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 employees can access all data through any computer, notebook, tablet or smartphone, as long as they are connected to the Internet.
In addition, we can mention the quality of security, automatic server updates, platform usability, technical support and backup services.
In the midst of so many benefits, cloud computing has become the favorite choice of many companies and users in general. Not in vain, practically everything we consume on the Internet today – social networks, file storage, video and music streaming – comes from applications and services hosted in the cloud.
How does cloud computing work?
Cloud computing uses a remote server to connect users’ devices to centralized resources. A remote server stores all the data and programs you need, and 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 it over the Internet, from anywhere, even if it’s stored miles away.
There are 3 types of cloud computing: public, private and hybrid. If you have a business and are thinking of using a cloud service, bear in mind that the choice will depend on factors related to cost, availability, performance and expectations. Here’s how each cloud works:
Public cloud
These are computer 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 customer 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 several users using simultaneously (but separately), which makes the resources remain standardized.
By offering unified solutions, this model ends up being more economical. Therefore, the public cloud is suitable for businesses that want to save on investment.
Private cloud
In this model, the enterprise maintains the cloud infrastructure in its internal domain and offers restricted access to selected users, such as employees and partners.
The private cloud offers the enterprise the ability to customize features and support to its needs. Because the cloud is designed exclusively for the enterprise, all processes are driven by business reality.
In general, the private cloud is used by organizations that must follow certain specific regulations and rules on data and information security and privacy, as is the case with some financial and government institutions.
Hybrid Cloud
Finally, when we talk about the hybrid cloud, we mean the union of the two previous ones, that is, the combination that allows them to share data and applications between them. This being the case, in keeping with the need and strategy of the business, some resources are used privately, others are used publicly or linked by technology.