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Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over a network (private or public). These services can include infrastructure (IaaS), platforms (PaaS), and software (SaaS). The use of cloud computing has become core to modern business operations. With that in mind, here is a straightforward cloud computing guide for beginners.
Although cloud computing implementations can be (and often are) customized to suit individual businesses, they all follow three core principles.
Broad network access ensures that cloud services are accessible over the network and can be used through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations). This principle guarantees that services are available from anywhere and can be accessed through various devices, promoting mobility and productivity.
Resource pooling involves the cloud provider’s resources being pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. This principle ensures efficient use of resources, cost savings, and scalability, as the provider can optimize the allocation of resources to meet varying user demands without wasting infrastructure.
The term “elasticity” refers to the cloud’s ability to allocate and deallocate resources dynamically, scaling out or in based on demand. This principle allows for the handling of variable workloads efficiently. In particular, it ensures that applications have the necessary resources to maintain performance during peak usage times. They can then scale down to avoid excess costs during periods of lower demand.
The three main cloud computing deployment models are public, private, and hybrid.
The public cloud model involves services offered by third-party providers over the internet, making resources such as servers, storage, and applications accessible to multiple users or tenants. These resources are hosted on the provider’s data centers, which manage maintenance, security, and upgrades.
Public clouds are ideal for businesses needing to deploy and scale services quickly and also for businesses that do not want to invest in physical infrastructure.
A private cloud is a cloud computing model where the infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization, providing more control over data, security, and compliance. This model can be hosted on-premises or by a third-party service provider. Technically, private clouds leverage virtualization and automation technologies to deliver the same benefits as the public cloud, such as scalability and resource pooling, but within a dedicated environment.
Private clouds are suitable for organizations with stringent regulatory requirements, sensitive data, or specialized business needs that demand a higher level of control and customization.
The hybrid cloud model combines elements of both public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them.
This approach provides greater flexibility and optimization of existing infrastructure, security, and compliance by enabling workloads to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change.
Technically, hybrid clouds require seamless integration and orchestration between the different cloud environments, often utilizing APIs and unified management tools.
This model is beneficial for businesses that need to balance workload management, cost efficiency, and data sovereignty, leveraging the strengths of both public and private clouds to achieve their IT objectives.
The three main cloud computing service models are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources such as virtual machines (VMs), storage, and networking. This service model allows for high scalability and flexibility, enabling businesses to scale their IT resources up or down based on demand.
Technically, IaaS providers manage the physical data centers, servers, and storage, while users are responsible for managing the operating systems, applications, and middleware.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers a cloud-based environment that provides developers with a framework and tools to build, test, deploy, and manage applications. PaaS removes the need for managing underlying infrastructure, allowing developers to focus on writing code and developing features.
Technically, PaaS includes middleware, development tools, database management systems, and runtime environments, all maintained by the provider. This service model supports the entire application lifecycle and typically includes services such as load balancing, application hosting, and version control.
Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis. SaaS applications are accessible via web browsers, removing the need for users to install or maintain software on their local devices.
Technically, SaaS providers manage everything from the infrastructure and middleware to the application data and security. Users benefit from automatic updates, scalability, and accessibility from any internet-connected device.
SaaS is ideal for many business applications, including email, customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP).
Infrastructure as a service (IAAS) is one of the most popular uses of the cloud. It is entirely safe when used properly. IaaS security does, however, need to be kept front and center at all times.
Bare metal computing is a form of computing where the user has direct control over the hardware. What this means in practice can differ according to the environment (and the user). Bare metal benefits have to be assessed in comparison to the alternatives. Here is a simple guide to what you need to know to assess them accurately.
A straightforward guide to the seven key PaaS security best practices you should implement. Why they are important to protect your business and its data.
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