GeekSpeak: Cloud Computing

Dawn QuinnMCDM

Kathy Gill, COM585-ANovember 14, 2012

The “cloud” is a metaphor for the amorphous space that is the Internet, which is often depicted with a cloud-shaped symbol.

Thus, cloud computing is the practice of Internet-based computing, where different services, (such as servers and apps) are regularly stored and accessed through the Internet.

What is cloud computing?

The concept of the cloud dates back to the 1950s, when mainframe computers became accessible via thin clients

The Internet was first referred to/depicted as “the cloud” in 1994

In the ‘90s, telecom companies began using VPN (virtual private network) services

After the dot-com bubble (1997-2000), Amazon played an integral part in development of cloud computing by modernizing their data centers. They launched Amazon Web Service (AWS) in 2006 to offer cloud computing to external customers

In 2008, Eucalyptus became the first open-source, AWS API-compatible platform for deploying private clouds. That same year, OpenNebula became the first open-source software for private and hybrid clouds

A brief history

The cloud, by xkcd:

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): Provides users with server, storage and networking software. Ex: Amazon Web Service

Platform as a service (PaaS): AKA middleware. Offers users virtualized servers and operating systems so that they can create and run apps. Ex: Google Apps

Software as a service (SaaS): This is the one that we interact with most. Accessible through web browsers, this is any application that is hosted on a remote server and accessed through the Internet. Ex: Netflix

Three types of cloud computing:

Benefits: or how I learned to quit worrying and love “the

cloud”

Just a few examples of how we use the cloud daily:

GmailFacebook/YouTubeWeb site hosting companiesGoogle DocsThe App Store for iPhoneDropbox

…And it’s only going to continue to grow as more businesses adapt to the cloud.

Just a few reasons cloud computing is smart for businesses of any size:

Cost-effectiveIncrease productivity / aligns with a mobile workforceMore capacity for storageLess downtimeDecreases overhead

Benefits for businesses

Reliability Security Effects on IT industry/jobs No current regulations or standards Support

Issues and concerns

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computinghttp://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/14/cloud-iaas-paas-saas/http://www.cbrdigital.com/2012/10/05/top-5-reasons-businesses-should-use-cloud-computing.html

Images: http://xkcd.com/908/http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-part-of-ongoing-series-of-posts.htmlhttp://www.calmresponse.com/business-in-the-cloud/http://cheezburger.com/277474048

References