The term Cloud Computing draws-in the idea of a large cloud that makes available services in the same way as our personal computer, but as a true cloud that travels the sky this new term also presents a freedom that we don’t possess nowadays. Our computer is no longer stuck “between four walls” or carried religiously in a suitcase. With Cloud Computing we start having all our files, programmes, available everywhere. The Internet becomes our computer.
Our programmes are made available as a service, which we don ́t need to install or upgrade, to just start using. The web pages become powerful tools of daily work and its access and maintenance is guaranteed by the service provider.
For the companies, the Cloud Computing broadens this concept, providing a whole development storage and computer related services platform. The Datacentre, the developing platform, all the ICT infrastructure of a company is no longer between walls but in the cloud. This paradigm allows reducing costs by rising the availability and quality of the services.
Cloud Computing has its roots well set in concepts and Technologies such as Virtualization and Digital Identity Management, technologies that have been developing and maturing in the past years. More than a reinvention or recycling of existing terms and concepts Cloud Computing presents an integration and articulation vision, allowing the emergence of solutions and services that benefit agility, tolerance of failure, availability, elasticity, security and cost reduction.
Cloud Computing is a model for making ICT services available in three areas:
- Software as a Service / SaaS
- Platform as a Service / PaaS
- Infrastructure as a Service / IaaS
In order to fulfil all the scenarios Cloud Comping could be deployed using one of these 3 deployment models: Public Cloud; Private Cloud; Mixed-model, using private infrastructure together with public and shared resources.
For a more detailed and completed definition on Cloud computing paradigm please read the NIST definition. In order to understand how Cloud Computing is already a reality or how it could start being used, you should also start by reading the Cloud Computing Uses Cases whitepaper.
18/02/2010
Paulo Calçada
