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The Beginners’ Guide To Cloud Computing

May 28, 2012
by Jonathan Watkins

If you’re reading this now then you no doubt spend a sufficient amount of time on your computer each day, which will more than likely mean you’ve seen the word “Cloud” pop up numerous times on your screen. You could even be using it right now without truly understanding what it means.

Now you may be a computer whiz who is more than familiar with the terminology and definition, but for those who aren’t here is Cloud computing in a nutshell.

The official definition provided from the National Institute of Standards and Technology reads:

“Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

If three or more of those words however, did not make sense to you then you’d be advised to read on. Ultimately, understanding the technical definition is not necessary for those wanting to adopt cloud computing, you just need to know what it basically does and then you can appreciate its uses.

Anywhere and anytime computing, is one way to view it. For anyone with a piece of Apple hardware, you may have noticed the cloud storing your software somewhere other than your device.

This means that by backing up your data and applications somewhere else, you can access it through the net from pretty much any internet capable device you can get your hands on.

So how does it work? Basically, the information, software or data you store on your computer will be automatically transferred and stored with the cloud. Essentially cloud computing delivers hosted services over the internet.

The service end of the cloud, such as Gmail, Yahoo or Facebook, consists of things you interact with and are stored in an alternative place. These services are not directly stored on your computer as you have to log into them through the internet. This software is running on the service end of a cloud.

The user end however, consists of the software and hardware that runs the interface you view on the front end. With the cloud now handling the running of the user end, the demands on the user’s side inevitably lightens.

For users opting for cloud computing services for web hosting, the cloud provides an option which proves a reliable way of web hosting. Its cost efficiency and scalability through fixed monthly plans where you define how much you want to use has made it a popular option for business looking for an alternative to their current web hosting providers.

Ultimately, the cloud’s processing potential is unlimited because of the power to add news servers. Cloud hosting functions on a number of servers as opposed to others which are limited to one, due to this it enables access to manifold servers. The advantage of web hosting for businesses will become clear as you set up your website without the stress of purchasing numerous servers.

Cloud computing is used by individuals, businesses and you may even be using it as you read. With the internet becoming a place where resources and services are shared, such as the social networking sites and email services mentioned earlier, most internet users are already using the cloud services without knowing.

About Author
Jonathan is a senior writer covering web hosting and tech news on FindCloudHost.com. Jonathan graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA (Hons) in Journalism and since then has been working for various websites, magazines and newspapers.

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