What is cloud computing?
In general, cloud computing is a business technology benchmark that allows remote access to programs that store information and process data through the network. It also amplifies the execution possibilities of personal computers without the need to install additional applications.
Scalability, versatility and ubiquity are the main characteristics of cloud computing services. They have the capacity to adapt to the needs that the user requires at a certain moment, they allow the use of a wide range of resources according to their demands, they have a large storage capacity, they allow access to information from any place or device, be it a personal computer , smartphone, or any other mobile device.
The user of a cloud computing service can access it in three ways:
- Public cloud: the cloud operator provides the infrastructure and the service is provided to all users, who pay only for the resources they consume.
- Private cloud: the service is provided to a limited number of users using a private network, so that resources are not shared, they are Iaas products.
- Hybrid cloud: the user simultaneously contracts the services offered by a public and a private cloud, using them according to their needs.
- Multicloud: The information moves through several clouds, these are services that offer several simultaneous environments.
Cloud computing technology presents 3 dynamics:
- Iaas – Infrastructure as a service: solution in which resources are not bought, they are rented, without losing total control of operations. In general, the user acquires and configures his programs, the supplier provides the physical support, and is in charge of its maintenance.
- Saas – Software as a service: the user provides the software that is hosted on the provider’s servers, which is also responsible for hardware maintenance, storage, business management system and support.
- Paas – Platform as a service: intermediate modality, which provides greater control over the cloud than in Saas, without reaching total dominance as in Iaas. The provider provides the platform and the applications run on it. It maintains scalability according to the situation that arises. Generally used by programmers.
What are the advantages of cloud?
- It is scalable: at a fairly affordable cost, an SME can buy one license, while a multinational will buy 500 licences. And the two will share the same services.
- We stop depending on our physical job. By having the data on the server, any computer, smartphone or cyber cafe will be set up in our office.
- It saves on equipment, because we no longer have to worry about our equipment (whether or not it is obsolete) and when to change it. The supplier company will take care of this.
- We also save in efficiency in crashes and backup copies, since the supplier companies are really equipped to deal with possible contingencies.
- Quick implementation of software already tested by thousands of users on the planet.
- Great ability to customize applications and their appearance.
- Automatic updates that arise from the experience and use of millions of users and their requirements.
What are the disadvantages of cloud?
- We depend on our supplier, that it has a good policy and preserves the data, although periodic backups can be made to the hard drive of our computer.
- If our internet goes down, we’ll be in trouble! This is a clear disadvantage, but we can overcome this problem if we have devices that offer us an alternative means of connection, such as a Wi-Fi connection. There is also the possibility of working offline.
- Vulnerability of the privacy of our data, although if we think about it, it already exists when we use gmail, yahoo, etc. Access with passwords and security sectors with https protocol reduce the danger.