What is Cloud Computing?

When talking about cloud computing the word 'cloud' can be thought as meaning 'internet'. So what does internet computing mean? It sounds exciting but really it just means that you are outsourcing your processing power and storage to third parties who happen to be connected to you over the internet. Not surprisingly the main players of the internet; Google, Microsoft, HP, AT&T are also the main providers of cloud computing.

Infrastructure as a Service

IaaS allows for computer infrastructure, typically a platform virtualisation environment to be sold as a service. So rather than having to purchase servers, software, data center space or network equipment, clients instead buy all those resources as a fully outsourced service. The service is scalable and can be sold based on the amount of resources consumed.

Accordng to HP, physical servers can be consolidated 13:1 for 90% fewer servers, 95% lower power and cooling expenses and 90% fewer software licenses realised. Using Storage Area Networks is a way to consolidate disk space.

Platform as a Service

PaaS is the delivery of an entire computing platform that is sold as a service. This is typically used for web based applications, and does away with the cost and complexity of having to purchase and setup the underlying hardware.

Software as a service

SaaS is basically a software program you can use on demand or as a subscription.