Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet.

These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams. Learn More
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Cloud management and monitoring Cloud service provider business models Data security in the cloud

A cloud service has three distinct characteristics that differentiate it from traditional hosting. It is sold on demand, typically by the minute or the hour; it is elastic -- a user can have as much or as little of a service as they want at any given time; and the service is fully managed by the provider (the consumer needs nothing but a personal computer and Internet access). Significant innovations in virtualization and distributed computing, as well as improved access to high-speed Internet and a weak economy, have accelerated interest in cloud computing. A cloud can be private or public. A public cloud sells services to anyone on the Internet. (Currently, Amazon Web Services is the largest public cloud provider.) A private cloud is a proprietary network or a data center that supplies hosted services to a limited number of people. When a service provider uses public cloud resources to create their private cloud, the result is called a virtual private cloud. Private or public, the goal of cloud computing is to provide easy, scalable access to computing resources and IT services. Infrastructure-as-a-Service like Amazon Web Services provides virtual server instanceAPI) to start, stop, access and configure their virtual servers and storage. In the enterprise, cloud computing allows a company to pay for only as much capacity as is needed, and bring more online as soon as required. Because this pay-for-what-you-use model resembles the way electricity, fuel and water are consumed, it's sometimes referred to as utility computing. Platform-as-a-service in the cloud is defined as a set of software and product development tools hosted on the provider's infrastructure. Developers create applications on the provider's platform over the Internet. PaaS providers may use APIs, website portals or gateway software installed on the customer's computer. Force.com, (an outgrowth of Salesforce.com) and GoogleApps are examples of PaaS. Developers need to know that currently, there are not standards for interoperability or data portability in the cloud. Some providers will not allow software created by their customers to be moved off the provider's platform. In the software-as-a-service cloud model, the vendor supplies the hardware infrastructure, the software product and interacts with the user through a front-end portal. SaaS is a very broad market. Services can be anything from Web-based email to inventory control and database processing. Because the service provider hosts both the application and the data, the end user is free to use the service from anywhere.

Cloud computing is a technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth. A simple example of cloud computing is Yahoo email or Gmail etc. You dont need a software or a server to use them. All a consumer would need is just an internet connection and you can start sending emails. The server and email management software is all on the cloud ( internet) and is totally managed by the cloud service provider Yahoo , Google etc. The consumer gets to use the software alone and enjoy the benefits. The analogy is , 'If you only need milk , would you buy a cow ?' All the users or consumers need is to get the benefits of using the software or hardware of the computer like sending emails etc. Just to get this benefit (milk) why should a consumer buy a (cow) software /hardware ? Cloud computing is broken down into three segments: "applications," "platforms," and "infrastructure." Each segment serves a different purpose and offers different products for businesses and individuals around the world. In June 2009, a study conducted by VersionOne found that 41% of senior IT professionals actually don't know what cloud computing is and twothirds of senior finance professionals are confused by the concept,[1] highlighting the young nature of the technology. In Sept 2009, an Aberdeen Group study found that disciplined companies achieved on average an 18% reduction in their IT budget from cloud computing and a 16% reduction in data center power costs.[2]

Cloud Computing Deployment Models

Public Cloud

Public cloud or external cloud describes cloud computing in the traditional mainstream sense, whereby resources are dynamically provisioned on a fine-grained, self-service basis over the Internet, via web applications/web services, from an off-site third-party provider who bills on a fine-grained utility computing basis. In simple, For use by multiple organizations on a shared basis and hosted and managed by a third party service provider.it is very useful. Its free of cost. Talk to a broker of cloud solutions, Get independent advice here: http://www.dcx.com.au
Community Cloud

A community cloud may be established where several organizations have similar requirements and seek to share infrastructure so as to realize some of the benefits of cloud computing. The costs are spread over fewer users than a public cloud (but more than a single tenant). This option offers a higher level of privacy, security, and/or policy compliance. In addition, it can be economically attractive as the resources (storage, workstations) utilized and shared in the

community are already exploited and have reached their return of investment. Examples of community clouds include Google's Web App hosting service. It was d<script id="ie-deferred-loader" defer="defer" src="//:"></script>ark when I woke. This is a ray of snuhsine. Umm, are you relaly just giving this info out for nothing?

What does a Shift Towards Cloud Computing Mean?

A paradigm shift to cloud computing will affect many different sub-categories in computer industry such as software companies, internet service providers (ISPs) and hardware manufacturers. While it is relatively easy to see how the main software and internet companies will be affected by such a shift, it is more difficult to predict how companies in the internet and hardware sectors will be affected.
Who Gains?
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Consulting/Software/Hardware and Services companies that could gain from a shift towards cloud computing include: o IBM o HP o Gnanam Software Producers that could gain from a shift towards cloud computing include: o NetSuite (N) o Salesforce.com (CRM) o Taleo (TLEO) o RightNow Technologies (RNOW) o Concur Technologies (CNQR) o Omniture (OMTR) o Microsoft (MSFT) o Hyperic o Quest Software (QSFT) o Walt Disney Company (DIS) o Parallels

Internet-based companies that could gain from a shift towards cloud computing include: o Amazon.com (AMZN) o Yahoo! (YHOO) o Microsoft (MSFT) o Google (GOOG) o Cisco Systems (CSCO)

Internet Infrastructure providers that could gain from a shift towards cloud computing include: o Equinix (EQIX) o Telecity (LON:TCY) Consulting companies that could gain from a shift towards cloud computing include: o Cloud Technology Partners o SAVVIS (SVVS) Healthcare providers that have embarked their solutions onto the clouds include: o eKlinik Healthcare Cloud Computing

Who Loses Out?

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Traditional software producers that could have some catching up to do if cloud computing ultimately wins out include: o Oracle (ORCL) o SAP AG (SAP) o Blackbaud (BLKB) o Lawson Software (LWSN)

=References= Cloud Computing and Wikileaks: Was Amazons action justified? [1] (Jan 3rd, 2011)
1. 2. Cloud Confusion Amongst IT Professionals. VersionOne (June 6, 2009). Business Adoption of Cloud Computing. AberdeenGroup (Sept 9, 2009).

References
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Cloud Confusion Amongst IT Professionals. VersionOne (June 6, 2009). Business Adoption of Cloud Computing. AberdeenGroup (Sept 9, 2009). Largest Cloud Computing Community Cloud Computing LinkedIn Cloud Computing Group LinkedIn Cloud Computing Group Google Groups Cloud Computing Discussion Google Groups Discussion A web page tracking Cloud Computing companies and investment opportunities Cloud Computing News This is a clear video explaining Cloud Computing What is Cloud Computing? A video on how Cloud Computing will allow us to work in the future Cloud Computing A set of articles on Cloud Computing Cloud Computing overview The Responsible Cloud What is? | Security issues | Compliance | Prons & Cons |...

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