Instead of installing a suite of software for each computer, you'd only have to load one application. That application would allow workers to log into a Web-based service which hosts all the programs the user would need for his or her job. Remote machines owned by another company would run everything from e-mail to word processing to complex data analysis programs.
It's called cloud computing , and it could change the entire computer industry. In a cloud computing system, there's a significant workload shift.
Local computers no longer have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to running applications. The network of computers that make up the cloud handles them instead. Hardware and software demands on the user's side decrease. The only thing the user's computer needs to be able to run is the cloud computing system's interface software , which can be as simple as a Web browser, and the cloud's network takes care of the rest. There's a good chance you've already used some form of cloud computing.
If you have an e-mail account with a Web-based e-mail service like Hotmail, Yahoo! You can see PaaS in action with the Fastmetrics cloud phone service, which offers a cloud PBX phone system , hosted securely in the cloud. Another example is this server for free video conference calls , for anyone from anywhere, without the use of software. To understand the workings of a cloud system, it is easier to divide it into two sections: the front end and the back end.
They are connected to each other through a network, usually the Internet. The front end is the side of the computer user or client. Also the application essential to access the cloud system. It is not necessary that all cloud computing systems have the same user interface. On the back end of the cloud technology system, there are various computers, servers and data storage systems that make up the cloud.
A cloud computing system could potentially include any computer program, from data processing to video games. Generally, each application will have its own dedicated server.
Large companies often require hundreds of digital storage devices. Cloud computing systems need at least twice the number of storage devices to keep client information stored. This method of making copies of data as a backup is called redundancy. Read about 7 cloud computing security risks in detail, by clicking on the link highlighted. Tech Stocks. Career Advice. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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Your Practice. Popular Courses. Table of Contents Expand. What Is Cloud Computing? Understanding Cloud Computing. Types of Cloud Services. Deployment Models. Types of Cloud Computing. Advantages of Cloud Computing. Disadvantages of the Cloud. The World of Business. Key Takeaways Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet, including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software.
Cloud-based storage makes it possible to save files to a remote database and retrieve them on demand. Services can be both public and private—public services are provided online for a fee while private services are hosted on a network to specific clients.
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Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. Cloud security protects data and online assets stored in cloud computing servers on behalf of their client users. Understanding Software-as-a-Service SaaS SaaS or software-as-a-service uses cloud computing to provide users with access to a program via the Internet. Discover the pros and cons of SaaS.
Cloud Storage Cloud storage is a way for businesses and consumers to save data securely online so it can be easily shared and accessed anytime from any location.
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