What is Cloud Computing?

What is Cloud Computing?

Look, Cloud Computing is a technology that allows you to store and use your data (like photos, videos, documents) and programs over the internet. In simple terms, it's like an "online wardrobe" where you keep your belongings (data) and can access them from anywhere whenever you need them.

Types of Cloud Computing

1. Public Cloud:

   • Services are offered to everyone over the internet.
   • Examples: Google Drive, Dropbox.

2. Private Cloud:

   • It is built exclusively for a single company and is very secure.

3. Hybrid Cloud:

   • This is a mix of Public and Private Clouds.

4. Community Cloud:

   • It is used collaboratively by more than one company or organization.

Advantages:

• Access data from anywhere: You just need an internet connection.
• Safe Storage: Your data remains secure.
• Low-cost Maintenance: No significant expenditure on hardware and software.
• Easy Backup: It's easy to recover data if it gets lost.
• Cost Savings: Pay only for what you use.

Disadvantages:

• Internet is a must: You cannot access data without the internet.
• Risk of Hacking: There is a fear of data theft.
• Less Control: Your data is held by the service provider.

Where is it used?

1. Online Data Storage: Like Google Drive or OneDrive.
2. Backup and Recovery: For saving data and retrieving lost data.
3. Large Companies: For analyzing big data.
4. Education: For e-learning and online courses.
5. Medical Field: For storing patient data.
6. Entertainment: For online games and video streaming.

Its Services:

1. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service):

   • Provides infrastructure like hardware and networking.

2. PaaS (Platform as a Service):

   • Allows developers to create and manage applications.

3. SaaS (Software as a Service):

   • Allows using software directly over the internet.
   • Example: Gmail, MS Office Online.

4. FaaS (Functions as a Service):

   • Provides the ability to run code and calculations easily.

Server and Cloud Computing

Look, when you save a file on your computer, it is stored on your computer's hard drive. But that's not how it works in Cloud Computing.

• The real home of the Cloud:
  The cloud's data is stored elsewhere, in a place called a Server. These servers belong to big companies (like Google, Amazon, Microsoft).
  For example:

  • When you upload a file to Google Drive, it is stored on a Google server.
  • These servers are located in different countries around the world.

• How does a Server work?
  A server is like a powerful computer that stays on 24/7.
  When you access a file from your phone or laptop, the server sends that data to you over the internet.

Features of a Server:

1. Large Data Centers:
   These servers are housed in large data centers with high security and cooling systems to ensure they work properly.

2. Multiple Backups:
   Your files are stored on more than one server. If one server fails, another backup becomes active.

3. Access Everywhere:
   Whether you are in India or America, data can be accessed from the server from anywhere.

Cloud Computing is not possible without a Server

You can think of it like this:

• Cloud Computing = Internet + Server
• A server is where your data is stored "in the cloud."

So, when you use Google Drive, YouTube, or any other cloud service, you are actually sending or receiving data from a server located far away.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1: What is Cloud Computing?
Ans: It is a technology where data is stored and managed using the internet.

Q2: What are the types of Cloud Computing?
Ans: Public, Private, Hybrid, and Community Cloud.