Basics of Cloud Computing

 Introduction

 Cloud Computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storages and computing power, without direct active management by the user. Large clouds often have functions distributed over multiple locations, each location being a data center. 

Usages of Cloud Computing:-

•     Fraud Detection & Prevention
•     Personalized Treatments
•     Online Games

Problem Statement

Before Cloud computing came into the field, each time when we needed a new business application we have to end up buying a new physical server. So, it may lead us to the following mentioned type of issues to be faced.

• Server Cost
• Energy Cost
• Workforce
• OS Cost

So, as of the above mentioned image; imagine that, "Application 1" has consuming only a fraction of the server capacity (1/4 of Server capacity used and 3/4 of server capacity is still free). Then we have to deploy another application called "Application 2" which requires a different version of the framework installed which is not compatible with the first server. So, we have to buy a new physical server instead.

By moving cloud you are improving security.

Virtualization

Hypervisors makes it possible to use more of a system's available resources and provide greater IT mobility since the guest VMs are independent of the host hardware.

Containers

Containers virtualizes the operating system.

• Abstraction at the operating system level.
• Multiple containers can run on the same machine.
• Can share the host operating system kernel.
• Container does't require its own operating system.
• The amount of disk space, RAM, processor time, and other server resources that are saved.
• Container packages your application code and it's dependencies together. 

Benefits of Cloud Computing

1. Reduce Costs
1. Cloud Reduces both Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Operational Expenditure (OpEx).
• All expenses incurred long-term benefits in the future lie under CapEx. It is the initial spending of money(whole together) on physical infrastructure, and then deducting that up-front expense over time. The up-front cost from CapEx has a value that reduces over time.
• OpEx is like a pay as you go service which you can deduct this expense in the same year you spend it. There is no upfront cost as you pay for a service or product as you use it. It is as the name suggests the expense of daily operation.
2. Organization no longer have to spend huge amount of money on below things.
• Physical servers
• Related It Infrastructure
• Specialized It Workforce
• Server Rooms or Data Centers
2. Pay as you go
• You'll pay for what you use (Cloud Resources are Metered).
3. Scalability
• Scalability can be able to UpScale and DownScale which never run out of resources.
4. Accessibility
• Can be accessed virtually from anywhere at anytime.
5. Business Continuity
6. Automatic Updates
7. Increased Collaboration
8. Self Service

Organizations faced with a large initial capital expenditure(CapEx) according to the above example when using and maintaining on premises servers.

Difference between CapEx and OpEx

Examples of Capital Expenditure (CapEx)

• Manufacturing plants, equipment, and machinery
• Computers and Hardware
• Building Improvements
• Vehicles

Examples of Operational Expenditure (OpEx)

• Interest paid on debt
• Property taxes
• Accounting and legal fees
• Wages and salaries
• Business travel
• Rent and utilities

Cloud Related Services

•    Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
•    Platform as a Service (PaaS)
•    Software as a Service (SaaS)
•    Containers as a Service (CaaS)
•    Function as a Service (FaaS) - (Server-Less Computing)
•    Private Cloud
•    Public Cloud
•    Hybrid Cloud

On Premises

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS Apps:- GMail, Google Drive,  Netflix, Amazon Prime, Dropbox, Office365

Usages of SaaS Apps:

• Customer Relationship Management
• Financial management
• Sales Management
• Human Resources Management
• Billing Management
• Entertainment

Benefits:-

• Very easy to get started
• Accessibility
• Automatic Updates
• Flexible usage-based pricing
• Reduced financial risk
• Affordability

Public, Hybrid and Private Cloud

Public cloud is cloud computing that's delivered via the internet and shared across organizations. Private cloud is cloud computing that is dedicated solely to your organization. Hybrid cloud is any environment that uses both public and private clouds.

Public Cloud

Can be located anywhere in the internet. Cloud Service Provider (Amazon or Microsoft) provides the infastructure (Multi-tenancy).

• Physical servers, storage, networking etc are procured and owned by the cloud service.
• No need to worry about setup and maintenance.
• Anyone(Both Individuals and Organisations) can use Public clouds.
• It is the most commonly used Cloud type.

      Eg:- Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS.

    Manage: the cloud services and resources using cloud provider web portal.

    Multi-tenancy: Multi Organisations share cloud resources.

    Pay-as-you-go: Like water or electricity bills.

Hybrid Cloud

Can be located inside organization's corporate n/w or anywhere in the internet. In here your organization provides hardware (Private Cloud) and Cloud Service provider works as the the Public Cloud (Single-tenancy + Multi-tenancy).

 

• Cloud bursting
• Combination of Private and Public cloud
• Private Cloud: Security sensitive & business-critical operations
• Public Cloud: High volume & lower security needs 

    Regular Demand: App continue to run in your own private cloud

    Spike in Demand: Burst through to the public cloud

Private Cloud

The Organization that owns the private cloud must purchase the cloud hardware (Single-tenancy).

• Located on-premises and it can be hosted by a third party service provider
• Resources are used by one business or organizations
• Private to a specific organization
• Easy to customize
• Used by Government Agencies and Financial institutes
• Highly Regulated business
• Tech companies that require complete control
• Large companies that require custom solutions

Pros and Cons of Public, Hybrid and Private Cloud

Risks of Cloud Computing

• Loss of Cloud Data and Services
• Data Security
• Compliance and Legal Security
• Cost Concerns

SLA's (Service Level Agreement) for Cloud Computing

 

A service-level agreement is commitment upon between a 

service provider and a client. Particular aspects of the service such as quality, availability, responsibilities, are agreed between the service provider and the service user.

There are several Local and International Regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The General Data Protection Regulation is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. The GDPR is an important component of EU privacy law and of human rights law, in particular Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a United States federal statute enacted by the 104th United States Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on August 21, 1996.

Comparison between reputed Public Cloud Services 

Comparison between reputed IOT Cloud Services 

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