LECTURE 1

INTRODUCTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING

The cloud isn’t just a fad anymore – it’s the future of computing for the next 20+ years.

Cloud computing is a buzzword that means different things to different people. For some, it's just another way of describing IT (information technology) "outsourcing"; others use it to mean any computing service provided over the Internet or a similar network; and some define it as any bought-in computer service you use that sits outside your firewall. 

If the term “cloud computing” sounds confusing, then you are not alone. Cloud computing sounds like a very fuzzy term, and like a literal cloud in the sky, you can't really put your finger on it. following points may help to understand WHY cloud computing is so hard to understand: 

First, cloud computing is an extremely broad term. It’s as broad as saying “desktop computing” (i.e. the PC), which encompasses everything from the microchip to the Windows operating system to the software. As we will learn in this notes, cloud computing encompasses all the same elements as the desktop.

Second, you cannot touch the cloud. Desktop computing is easy to understand because you can see, touch, and feel your PC. The cloud is real, but it is abstracted to the point where you cannot see it, so it is harder to imagine.

Third, the term is tainted by the “me too” marketing buzz. The term "cloud computing", for a variety of very good reasons, has become very popular, and there are plenty of new and established IT companies that want to jump on the bandwagon, often incorrectly labeling anything to do with remote computing as the "cloud". In order to understand it more easy, let us defer the formal definition for now and begin with a simple working definition. Here goes:

Cloud computing is “FACILITATION of IT(Information Technology) AS A SERVICE through INTERNET which use PAY-AS-YOU-GO Model”

What is "as a Service"?

In cloud terminology the phrase "as a service" is extensively used, which simply means that a given cloud product (whether Infrastructure, Platform, or Software) is offered in a way that it can be "rented" by consumers over the internet.

By rented we are implying that you pay only for whatever you use. it is often described as an "on demand" service because it is available whenever you need it.

What is "pay-as-you- go model"? 

Pay-as-you-go model is a payment method for cloud computing that charges based on usage. you only pay for what you use, and you can use as much as you want. The practice is similar to that of utility bills, using only resources that are needed.

SO WHAT IS CLOUD?

Cloud in Cloud Computing provides the means through which everything from computing power to computing infrastructure, applications, business processes, to personal collaboration tools can be delivered to us as a service whenever & whatever we need.

Technically we understand it as that,

Cloud is a set of hardware, storage, network, interfaces and services that enables the delivery of software, infrastructure & storage over the internet based on user demand.