Cloud Computing

Definition

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services—including storage, processing power, and applications—over the internet, allowing users to access and manage resources remotely. This technology has transformed how businesses and individuals operate by enabling scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency, which connects to various technological advancements and application scenarios.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cloud computing emerged in the early 2000s, evolving from traditional computing models to provide on-demand resources over the internet.
2. One of the primary motivations for adopting cloud computing is its ability to reduce costs by eliminating the need for extensive local hardware and maintenance.
3. Cloud computing supports both static and dynamic load balancing techniques, optimizing resource usage and performance across distributed systems.
4. Virtualization technologies are essential in cloud computing, allowing multiple virtual environments to run on a single physical server, maximizing resource efficiency.
5. High-performance computing in industry increasingly relies on cloud platforms to process large datasets quickly and efficiently, making advanced analytics more accessible.

Review Questions

• How has cloud computing influenced historical development and motivations for technological advancement?
  • Cloud computing has fundamentally shifted how businesses approach technology, leading to increased accessibility and affordability of computing resources. Historically, companies faced significant capital expenditures for infrastructure, which limited innovation. By providing scalable solutions on a pay-as-you-go basis, cloud computing has motivated organizations to embrace new technologies and streamline operations, thereby promoting faster technological advancements.
• Discuss the relationship between cloud computing and load balancing techniques in distributed systems.
  • Cloud computing environments rely heavily on load balancing techniques to distribute workloads efficiently across servers. Static load balancing involves pre-allocated resources based on expected demand, while dynamic load balancing adjusts allocations in real-time based on current system performance and resource utilization. This flexibility ensures optimal performance, resource efficiency, and improved user experiences in cloud-based applications.
• Evaluate the impact of virtualization technologies on the effectiveness of cloud computing services in high-performance computing applications.
  • Virtualization technologies play a critical role in enhancing the effectiveness of cloud computing services for high-performance computing applications. By allowing multiple virtual machines to operate on a single physical server, virtualization maximizes hardware utilization and supports scalable resource allocation. This is particularly valuable in industries requiring substantial computational power for tasks like data analysis and simulation, as it enables seamless access to high-performance resources without significant upfront investment.

Related terms

SaaS (Software as a Service): A cloud computing model that provides software applications over the internet on a subscription basis, allowing users to access the software without needing to install or maintain it locally.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): A cloud computing service model that offers virtualized computing resources over the internet, enabling users to rent infrastructure such as servers and storage instead of investing in physical hardware.

Public Cloud: A cloud environment where services and infrastructure are hosted off-site by a third-party provider and shared among multiple organizations, making it cost-effective and scalable.