Small business owners and entrepreneurs are constantly hearing about cloud computing solutions and how it can potentially benefit their organizations. The truth is, you have probably been utilizing cloud computing for years already, without even realizing it. If you have Facebook, a Gmail account, or banking online, you are actually using the cloud.
In essence, cloud computing is having all the information you need for every aspect of your business at your fingerprints. Clouds are marked with self-service interfaces that enable users to pill out resources and get rid of them when not in use. In essence, cloud isn’t a technology, but a kind of approach in creating IT solutions that leverage the power of servers and data center virtualization. This works by combining several servers into big computing pools and dividing single servers to virtual machines that can be modified at will.
Cloud Storage: How does it work?
There are plenty of cloud storage systems available these days. There are some which focuses on storing digital photos or email messages. There are other cloud storage companies that are built for small operations while other firms are so huge that they store physical equipment in a warehouse, also called a data center.
At its basic level, cloud computing needs one data server that is connected to the Internet. A user saves copies of files online, and the server in turn records this data. When he wishes to retrieve that information, all he needs to do is access a web-based platform. As soon as the server receives this request, it immediately sends files back to the client and enables access to the server itself.
Cloud computing solutions generally rely on many data servers. Computers regularly need repair and maintenance, and it is crucial that the same data is saved on different machines. This is also termed as redundancy. This principle is important in ensuring that users get to access all the data they need anytime and at anywhere. Among the most popular firms that offer cloud storage include Google Docs, Picasa, Flickr, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoomail, Youtube, Myspace, Facebook, Xdrive, and many more.
Public Cloud versus Private Cloud
Public cloud is a cloud computing service that is available for virtually anyone with a credit card and network connection. They are usually shared infrastructures and pay as you go schemes. They are readily accessible and made up of multitenant virtual infrastructures that are managed through a self-service portal.
On the other hand, private cloud features the same delivery mode for public cloud but within the firewall for the security of the organization’s users. Private clouds will certainly give you most of the benefits of cloud computing but it is privately managed and access is limited by the owner. There are plenty of companies today that offer private or public cloud computing solutions.
I agree with as to what Cloud computing is. Your definition is right on the money. And it has been around for a long long time, they just recoined the term of what it is when you store information online. I might get off the beaten track here a bit. I would have like to see a bit more on what the Cloud is…IE like some of it’s problems.
here let me give a few example’s.
Though people having Everything in the Cloud i don’t believe is safe or sound in this days world of computing. maybe in the Future it might be but not yet. I personally won’t be uploading all my Pic’s and Personal or any Business information to some Cloud Server ever.
Reason being:
Server Systems do get hacked on a regular basis ( If a hacker really wants in he or she will get in. It’s in the News everyday. and over 50 to 60% of this is never reported by Business much less were does the Individual report these problems. Business’s that don’t report this , has said that due to this not being material they didn’t see a need to report it. Remember this is just 1′sand 0′s. Do the Server farms report this, “The Server Business being used” sure they do in some cases.
Cost effective for Business?
In most cases Business’s are finding that in-house is still the best and the most secure. though in some cases the info structure can be daunting to say the least. Both with IT and Hardware, which makes off site look good but not as profitable in the long term. Both in Security, and Access.
Big Government:
Government snooping of personal information, and no real laws to protect you. And this isn’t a Conspiracy theory either it is fact. The NSA is making data bases of every American, and will be able to tell even what you buy at the grocery, and where you are at any given moment. Sounds far fetched don’t it. But is the truth. They are building right now a new Facility to do this, it’s a 248 acre Server farm and a Super Computer to do just this very thing, they already have 4 other facility’s like this. You can Google this, if you don’t believe it. And you can go on and on. Just more Big Government and the Cloud.
Deleting accounts and Information on the net:
Just remember these accounts are on Severs no matter where you made that account it’s on a Server Data base. Any and all information, even though you have removed it is still there, sometimes for many years. ( I guess you can see that by these statements that i don’t use Social Networks of any sort ) E-mail is a good example or any of your Social networks. or anything to do with Google if i can help it. And the many hundreds of scraper company’s, getting your person information and selling it to who ever. ” these company’s even have bidding wars over your information” Much of it that you might have thought was deleted and or removed.
Do you know were your information is being kept:
You don’t know where your information is being physically kept or who really has access to it. Nor will you be able to really find out. Whether Private or Public Servers. Private being not on your personal premises. Even though that can be hacked if on a network, Private or not. Happens everyday.
Do you know who has access to it.
Other then yourself on Private home networks and Servers NO. City and State Government has data bases on it citizens. The greatest amount of that data is free for the taking. Most people don’t know this. And in some cases a fee is imposed on that information. scraper company’s get this data all the time. Much of this information may have even your Residence your Social Security no. even your phone. Just go online and Type your name into the cloud and see for yourself all the company’s that will give up your info for free or for fee. Ever wonder how that Marketer got your phone no out of the Millions, his company bought that information in calling lists that was scraped. and sold back and forth.
Server IT Staff, the Human variable:
It can take just take one wrong mistake in the Server IT area by someone and that information can be lost. It has been done before. ( You should always have a Physical backup of your information yourself. So why would you need a Cloud service if you need to have a copy of it yourself. ) I get a lot of the IT news feeds and letter’s. You should read some of the horror story’s i have read from IT departments. Again the Human Factor.
Government Interference:
There are many instances of this but the recent scandal, and all the information that has been uploaded onto those servers is no longer available to the people that have uploaded to those Servers. And this is Legal and or Private information ” Megaupload ” is a Prime example of this. And yes there are plenty of legal uploads to this site. Welcome to the Cloud.
Banking Online: is both dangerous and personally i don’t do it. True it is very Convenient, but puts you at risk and the plausibility is left up to you to prove it wasn’t you that spent the money out of that account if it is hacked. ” have been through this personally ” Took over six months to get all the problems straightened out and had to make new accounts, bank cards and such, much of the money we never got back and is just a loss. Yep this is still the cloud your working with.
Your identity:
Can be stolen and you might not know it till the Bills start rolling in,and it can cost you many years and many many thousands of dollars and ruin you Financially and Credit wise to. “All for a bit of Convenience ” Still the Burden of proof is on you. And most people don’t recover their Identity from it fully. The Damage is done. Plus in some cases large attorney fee’s goes with this. Having to file this with the authority’s in your area. yeah many times you have to file a police report. had to do this myself. Not a fun experience in any way.
This is all Cloud Computing and these are just a very few examples of the Cloud. And a very few of the problems. I think a little Inconvenience is just fine myself, keeps you from getting lazy. And is much much safer. besides i like my privacy, and i don’t do anything illegal. Have been in computing since the 80′s. oops kinda told my age a bit. And i do a lot of research on security.
There are many things you need to know and be aware of when using Cloud services whether Public or Private. If you need a lawyer and a microscope to review their Contracts, Eula’s, and Privacy statements, get both. Read them and understand them. Don’t just Blindly use them or you may pay the piper. And understand that in most of these they can make changes without notifying you as to what these changes are or in how it will affect you and your information on their servers you pay a fee on.
I like more in depth articles on what things are like the Net, Cloud computing and the like.