Cloud Computing is a model that enables convenient, easy network storage access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources comprising servers, networks, storage, services and applications that facilitates provisioning and releasing without much efforts. This Cloud model constitutes five key characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models. Cloud computing converts capital expenditure to operating expenditure (Capex to Opex). Under operating expenditure, one need to pay for usage only i.e. "pay when you use" that provides economic relief to the buyer.
Key Characteristics
* Easy Access: Computing resources are automatically available without any human intervention.
* Broad network Access: Resources are available over network that could be accessed easily on client platforms such as personal computers and mobiles.
* Resource Pooling: Service providers pool resources to meet requirements of multiple users who share the same underlying resources.
* Rapid Elasticity: The beauty of resources lie in quick provisioning & releasing at any point of time, which mean infinite resources from user perspective.
* Measured Service: You end up paying to the extent of resources/capabilities utilization that is a quantifiable and transparent process.
Service Models
* Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS): Applications are accessed through client platform such as web browser. The management or control of underlying cloud infrastructure doesn't lie with user.
* Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provisioning for deployment of new application on the cloud. Platforms contain solution stacks with programming languages and tools supported by the provider. Customer/User has limited control over deployed applications but not on the underlying infrastructure.
* Cloud Infrastructure as Service (IaaS): Service provider give raw compute, storage, memory and network transfer resources for customized solutions. Customer/User has limited control over selected components without having control over underlying infrastructure.
Deployment Models
Such models could be private cloud, community cloud, public cloud and hybrid cloud.
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