WHAT IS THE CLOUD? WHERE DID IT COME FROM?


If you're new to the concept of cloud computing, you've probably asked yourself what is the cloud? Many companies want to understand exactly what the cloud is, how it works, and where it came from before they sign up for cloud based services. The good news is, you aren't alone. Many people are searching for answers, and the cloud computing community has answered with a few simple explanations.

What is the Cloud?

Simply put, the term "cloud" is just an analogy. In literal terms, what we now know as the cloud is an off-site hub that contains massive computing resources shared between many different organizations. Essentially, the cloud is made up of banks and banks of computer servers which act as portals for sharing and storing information. What makes the cloud unique from your in-house servers is that they are connected in such a way that customers pay for access to a portion of the available space, and that space can be located on any server in the hub at any time. Rather than dedicated space for each customer, which would limit your ability to scale up or down, data is free to flow in the most efficient way among the group of servers. In addition, servers are able to host data from multiple customers with the help of high-end security protocols that protect each individual company from unwanted access to their data.

Where did the Cloud Come From?

The earliest references to the cloud are widely debated in the IT community, although many people credit a 2006 conference and Google with making the term popular. The idea is that all of the services and infrastructure that we depend on should live not on our personal devices, but rather outside of them in a "cloud". As a result, the cloud cannot be seen or felt, but we know it is out there, holding all of our data. In addition, the cloud can be accessed by any device with reliable Internet access, thereby reducing compatibility issues between major technology manufacturers, such as Apple and Microsoft. The metaphor of a cloud works effectively for this type of data storage because we can easily imagine a place somewhere "out there" where all of the data is highly concentrated while we take advantage of the silver linings. In fact, if you were to drive to the hub where your data is stored, you still wouldn't find "the cloud" so much as a bunch of mysterious black boxes.

For those who ask "what is the cloud?" the best explanation is that it is an off-site collection of processors that manage data on our behalf. It's an unknowable data center that concentrates computing power and makes more resources available to everyone. The concept itself may have had its roots in the late 1990s, but today it has become a full-fledged industry unto itself.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Outsourcing: an overview

Image
Outsourcing: an overview Outsourcing today simply involves using external entities to handle specific, specialized business functions so that organizations can focus on their core competencies. The idea of seeking outside support for areas that are not core to a business is many decades old. However, seeking support from external providers can make a lot of sense, especially in fields that involve considerable complexity. One example, as human resources becomes increasingly complex practice, especially in areas that involve often complex and arcane laws such as benefits and employment law, many smaller companies are increasingly outsourcing some or all of their HR tasks. IT is another example. Like human resources, IT covers a wide range of specialties, for which no one or two individuals can possibly hope to be fully versed in. As the CEO of a small- to medium-sized firm, or perhaps a line manager, why should you consider outsourcing all or part of the IT function? One immediate rea
Read more

So, what is this “Unified Communications” thing, anyhow?

Image
So, what is this “Unified Communications” thing, anyhow? Have you heard the term unified communications tossed around lately? It seems to be used a lot in IT, telecomm, and work collaboration circles. Unified communications is a newer concept that refers to a conceptual platform where multiple communications channels can join together to increase productivity and facilitate collaboration. Here’s one way to look at it. Imagine that you only own one car. And imagine it is a sporty two seater. And then imagine you decide to invite five of your friends, none of whom are able to drive, out to dinner. This means you would have to pick each one up separately and drive him or her to the restaurant. And of course, one of them lives down an old rough farm road, so you have to drive very slowly so you don’t damage the underside of your expensive little two seater. This scenario is pretty similar to the way we handle business communications today. We aren't able to just throw everyone together
Read more

MSPs save money And you get stuff that matters

Image
MSPs save money. And you get stuff that matters. Outsourcing has become a fairly common element in business processes today. What started off as a means to cut business costs and take advantage of cheaper resources based offshore has now become an essential part of running a business today. (Its definition doesn’t necessarily include offshore outsourcing, of course) This blog looks at two additional areas where IT outsourcing can dramatically improve revenues. In particular, outsourcing can avoid high-fixed costs when you are trying to meet peak demand periods or have 24/7 coverage available. Cost benefits Having an MSP manage your IT infrastructure completely offers tremendous cost savings vis-a-vis having an in-house IT team. When you have FT IT professionals on your payroll, you incur many other HR and training-related costs that come with employing full-time staff. These may include 401(k) expenses, health insurance, paid time-off, etc., which can be avoided by outsourcing your IT
Read more