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Introducing To Cloud Computing
http://www.reliablenetworks.co.uk/
Cloud computing comes into focus only when you think that IT always needs: a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new staff, or licensing new software. It encompasses any subscription services or pay-per-use which, in real time on the Internet, is expanding its existing capacity.
Although it is at an early stage, with a motley crew of providers large and small with a slew of services, it can host anything from real applications to storage services to spam filtering. Yes, infrastructure providers of utility style are part of the mix, but also the SaaS (Software as a Service). Now, for the most part, we must connect services individually, but its aggregators and integrators are already emerging.
InfoWorld talked to dozens of vendors, analysts and IT customers to tease out the various components of cloud computing. Based on these discussions, here is a rough breakdown of what it's all about:
SaaS - It's a single application available through the browser to thousands of customers using a multitenant architecture. On the client side, it means no upfront investment in servers or software licenses, on the supplier side, with one application to maintain, costs are low compared to traditional accommodation.
Utility computing - The idea is not new, but this form of cloud computing is a new life from companies which now offer storage and virtual servers that can access the application. Early adopters of business mainly use utility computing for supplemental, non-vital needs, but one day, they may replace parts of the data center.
Web services in the cloud - Closely related to SaaS and Internet service providers offer APIs that enable developers to exploit functionality over the Internet, rather than delivering full-fledged applications. They range from providers offering discrete business services to the full range of APIs offered by Google and even traditional services credit card processing.
Platform as a Service - Another SaaS variation, delivers development environments as a service. You build your own applications that run on the provider's infrastructure and are delivered to your users via the Internet from the provider's servers. Like Legos, these services are limited by the design of seller and capabilities, so you do not get complete freedom, but you do get predictability and pre-integration.
MSP (managed service providers) - a managed service is basically an application exposed to IT rather than for end users, such as a virus scanning service for e-mail or an application monitoring service.
Service commerce platforms - A hybrid of SaaS and MSP, offers a service hub that users interact with. They are more common in commercial environments, such as expense management systems that allow users to order travel services or secretariat of a common platform that then coordinates the delivery of services and pricing in the specifications defined by the user.
Internet integration - The integration of cloud services is in its infancy.
Today, with the cloud-based interconnection seldom in evidence, cloud computing might be more accurately described as "sky computing," with many isolated clouds of services which must be connected clients individually.
Eugene Coscodan is a SEO Strategist working at Reliable Networks. He is interested in Internet marketing, Internet technology, web development, and computer security. If you'd like to connect with him, contact Reliable Networks.
Article submitted Wednesday, November 30, 2011 & read 1 times.
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