Cloud computing

Cloud computing metaphor: For a user, the network elements representing the provider-rendered services are
invisible, as if obscured by a cloud.
Cloud computing is a term used to refer to a model of network computing where a program
or application runs on a connected server or servers rather than on a local computing device
such as a PC, tablet or smartphone. Like the traditional client-server model or older mainframe
computing,
[1]
a user connects with a server to perform a task. The difference with cloud
computing is that the computing process may run on one or many connected computers at the
same time, utilizing the concept of virtualization. With virtualization, one or more physical
servers can be configured and partitioned into multiple independent "virtual" servers, all
functioning independently and appearing to the user to be a single physical device. Such virtual
servers are in essence disassociated from their physical server, and with this added flexibility,
they can be moved around and scaled up or down on the fly without affecting the end user. The
computing resources have become "granular", which provides end user and operator benefits
including on-demand self-service, broad access across multiple devices, resource pooling,
rapid elasticity and service metering capability.
[2]

In more detail, cloud computing refers to a computing hardware machine or group of computing
hardware machines commonly referred as a server or servers connected through a communication
network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Any
individual user who has permission to access the server can use the server's processing power to run an
application, store data, or perform any other computing task. Therefore, instead of using a personal
computer every time to run a native application, the individual can now run the application from
anywhere in the world, as the server provides the processing power to the application and the server is
also connected to a network via the Internet or other connection platforms to be accessed
from anywhere.
[3]
All this has become possible due to increased computer processing power available to
humankind with decreased cost as stated in Moore's law.
In common usage the term "the cloud" has become a shorthand way to refer to cloud computing
infrastructure.
[4]
The term came from the cloud symbol that network engineers used on network
diagrams to represent the unknown (to them) segments of a network.
[5]
Marketers have further
popularized the phrase "in the cloud" to refer to software, platforms and infrastructure that are sold "as
a service", i.e. remotely through the Internet. Typically, the seller has actual energy-consuming servers
which host products and services from a remote location, so end-users don't have to; they can simply
log on to the network without installing anything. The major models of cloud computing service are
known as software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service. These cloud
services may be offered in a public, private or hybrid network.
[6]
Google ,Amazon, IBM, Oracle
Cloud, Rackspace, Salesforce, Zoho and Microsoft are some well-known cloud vendors.
[7]

Advantages
Cloud computing relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale, similar to
a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network.
[8]
At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader
concept of converged infrastructure and shared services.
The cloud also focuses on maximizing the effectiveness of the shared resources. Cloud resources are
usually not only shared by multiple users but are also dynamically reallocated per demand. This can
work for allocating resources to users. For example, a cloud computer facility that serves European users
during European business hours with a specific application (e.g., email) may reallocate the same
resources to serve North American users during North America's business hours with a different
application (e.g., a web server). This approach should maximize the use of computing power thus
reducing environmental damage as well since less power, air conditioning, rack space, etc. are required
for a variety of functions. With cloud computing, multiple users can access a single server to retrieve and
update their data without purchasing licenses for different applications.
The term "moving to cloud" also refers to an organization moving away from a traditional CAPEX model
(buy the dedicated hardware and depreciate it over a period of time) to the OPEX model (use a shared
cloud infrastructure and pay as one uses it).
Proponents claim that cloud computing allows companies to avoid upfront infrastructure costs, and
focus on projects that differentiate their businesses instead of infrastructure.
[9]
Proponents also claim
that cloud computing allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with improved
manageability and less maintenance, and enables IT to more rapidly adjust resources to meet
fluctuating and unpredictable business demand.
[9][10][11]
Cloud providers typically use a "pay as you go"
model. This can lead to unexpectedly high charges if administrators do not adapt to the cloud pricing
model.
[12]


Characteristics
Cloud computing exhibits the following key characteristics:
Agility improves with users' ability to re-provision technological infrastructure resources.
Application programming interface (API) accessibility to software that enables machines to interact
with cloud software in the same way that a traditional user interface (e.g., a computer desktop)
facilitates interaction between humans and computers. Cloud computing systems typically use
Representational State Transfer (REST)-based APIs.
Cost: cloud providers claim that computing costs reduce. A public-cloud delivery model converts
capital expenditure to operational expenditure.
[44]
This purportedly lowers barriers to entry, as
infrastructure is typically provided by a third party and does not need to be purchased for one-time
or infrequent intensive computing tasks. Pricing on a utility computing basis is fine-grained, with
usage-based options and fewer IT skills are required for implementation (in-house).
[45]
The e-FISCAL
project's state-of-the-art repository
[46]
contains several articles looking into cost aspects in more
detail, most of them concluding that costs savings depend on the type of activities supported and
the type of infrastructure available in-house.
Device and location independence
[47]
enable users to access systems using a web browser
regardless of their location or what device they use (e.g., PC, mobile phone). As infrastructure is off-
site (typically provided by a third-party) and accessed via the Internet, users can connect from
anywhere.
[45]

Maintenance of cloud computing applications is easier, because they do not need to be installed on
each user's computer and can be accessed from different places.
Multitenancy enables sharing of resources and costs across a large pool of users thus allowing for:
centralization of infrastructure in locations with lower costs (such as real estate, electricity,
etc.)
peak-load capacity increases (users need not engineer for highest possible load-levels)
utilization and efficiency improvements for systems that are often only 1020% utilized.
[18][48]

Performance is monitored, and consistent and loosely coupled architectures are constructed
using web services as the system interface.
[45][49][50]

Productivity may be increased when multiple users can work on the same data simultaneously,
rather than waiting for it to be saved and emailed. Time may be saved as information does not need
to be re-entered when fields are matched, nor do users need to install application software
upgrades to their computer.
[51]

Reliability improves with the use of multiple redundant sites, which makes well-designed cloud
computing suitable for business continuity and disaster recovery.
[52]

Scalability and elasticity via dynamic ("on-demand") provisioning of resources on a fine-grained,
self-service basis in near real-time
[53][54]
(Note, the VM startup time varies by VM type, location, and
cloud providers
[53]
), without users having to engineer for peak loads.
[55][56][57]

Security can improve due to centralization of data, increased security-focused resources, etc., but
concerns can persist about loss of control over certain sensitive data, and the lack of security for
stored kernels.
[58]
Security is often as good as or better than other traditional systems, in part
because providers are able to devote resources to solving security issues that many customers
cannot afford to tackle.
[59]
However, the complexity of security is greatly increased when data is
distributed over a wider area or over a greater number of devices, as well as in multi-tenant systems
shared by unrelated users. In addition, user access to security audit logs may be difficult or
impossible. Private cloud installations are in part motivated by users' desire to retain control over
the infrastructure and avoid losing control of information security.
Virtualization technology allows sharing of servers and storage devices and increased utilization.
Applications can be easily migrated from one physical server to another.

10 BENEFITS OF CLOUD COMPUTING
1. Achieve economies of scale increase volume output or productivity with fewer people. Your
cost per unit, project or product plummets.
2. Reduce spending on technology infrastructure. Maintain easy access to your information with
minimal upfront spending. Pay as you go (weekly, quarterly or yearly), based on demand.
3. Globalize your workforce on the cheap. People worldwide can access the cloud, provided they
have an Internet connection.
4. Streamline processes. Get more work done in less time with less people.
5. Reduce capital costs. Theres no need to spend big money on hardware, software or licensing
fees.
6. Improve accessibility. You have access anytime, anywhere, making your life so much easier!
7. Monitor projects more effectively. Stay within budget and ahead of completion cycle times.
8. Less personnel training is needed. It takes fewer people to do more work on a cloud, with a
minimal learning curve on hardware and software issues.
9. Minimize licensing new software. Stretch and grow without the need to buy expensive
software licenses or programs.
10. Improve flexibility. You can change direction without serious people or financial issues at
stake.



Risks of cloud computing
Before considering cloud computing technology, it is important to understand the risks involved when
moving your business into the cloud. You should carry out a risk assessment process before any control
is handed over to a service provider..
The Australian Government has published a comprehensive guide on cloud computing security
considerations. Although this is aimed at government agencies, the guidelines and information are
relevant to businesses.
You should consider the following issues:
Privacy agreement and service level agreement
You will need to have suitable agreements in place with your service providers before services
commence. This will safeguard you against certain risks and also outline the responsibilities of each
party in the form of a service level agreement (SLA). You should read the SLA and ensure that you
understand what you are agreeing to before you sign. Make sure that you understand the
responsibilities of the service provider, as well as your own obligations.
Security and data protection
You must consider how your data will be stored and secured when outsourcing to a third party. This
should be outlined in the agreement with your service provider, and must address mitigations to
governance and security risks. It must cover who has access to the data and the security measures in
place to protect your data.
Location of data
Cloud computing service providers are often located outside Australia. Before committing, you should
investigate where your data is being stored and which privacy and security laws will apply to the data.
Legislation and regulation
You will need to be aware of Australian legislative and regulatory requirements when storing personal
data (e.g. the Privacy Act 1988 and the Archives Act 1983 will apply). If the data is being stored outside
of Australia (e.g. if your business uses an overseas service provider), you will also need to be aware of
the legislation and regulation requirements in that geographic location.





Technology overload
From Blackberries and cell phones to iPods and MP3 players, were living in a world defined by
new technology. While these sophisticated devices make our lives easier, they also add an
unnecessary burden to our already pressure-packed schedules.
With instant accessibility, the flexibility to work anywhere, anytime and an avalanche of
information arriving daily in our inboxes, its easy to let our jobs dominate our personal lives.
Technology overload is a real and growing problem and the only way to deal with it is to
develop good work habits.
Here are some suggestions to help you take control of your technology:
Set boundaries: Dont let work take up all of your time. Remember that your Blackberry and
cell phone have off buttons! Turn them off when youre at a meeting, on lunch, visiting
friends or spending time with your family. And leave your gadgets and laptop at home when
you go on vacation. You need some personal downtime to rest, recover and rejuvenate.
Set a schedule for checking e-mail: Constantly checking e-mail can interfere with your
concentration and reduce productivity. Most people dont expect an instant response to
their messages, anyway. Set a reasonable timeframe for responding to e-mail and let people
know when they can expect a response from you. Dont check e-mail when youre not at
work. Learn more about avoiding e-mail overload.
Be considerate: Talking on your cell phone in public places can be irritating for others. Try to
limit your calls to situations where you cant be overheard. And dont steal glances at your
Blackberry or send text messages when youre at a meeting or enjoying personal time with
family or friends. You cant be fully engaged in an activity if youre always distracted by your
electronic gadgets.
Use your devices safely: Using hand-held cell phones and Blackberries while driving is very
distracting and can cause accidents. When youre on the road, use hands-free devices or
have a passenger place a call or send a message for you (but remember that the
conversation itself is a distraction). Even better, put your electronic devices away until you
arrive at your destination.
Theres a right time for face-to-face interactions: If youre spending a lot of time sending e-
mails back and forth on an issue, it may be more appropriate to arrange a conference call or
a meeting with your colleagues. Youll deal with the issue faster and the personal interaction
can be a pleasant break in a hectic day.
Dont be a victim of feature fatigue: Electronic devices are becoming so complicated these
days that you need an engineering degree to operate some of them. If youre purchasing an
electronic device, dont buy more features than you really need. Do your homework and
research the options before making a purchase. Some stores will let you test out a device
before buying, so you can quickly find out if the gadget is going to complicate or simplify
your life.


















Cloud Computing
And
Technology Overload





SUBMITTED TO:
MRS. MARISCEL DE GUZMAN
INSTRUCTOR



SUBMITTED BY:
MHARIEL ANN M. DOCTOLERO
BSCE 2A





JUNE 25, 2014