Cloud Computing: Understanding the Technology before Getting “Clouded”

Abstract

AbstractThe IT Industry and the wider media are abuzz with the phrase “cloud computing” and most of us have no idea what this latest terminology means. This paper starts by addressing the question – “what is cloud computing, and provides an understanding of the technology?” Cloud computing is related to technologies that has been around for ages, however, what can be done differently with the same technology when integrated with Internet is cloud computing.Individuals who might be considering cloud computing services for personal use will also benefit by the information provided. Web sites like Flickr, FaceBook, YouTube and others are used to store and share personal photos, music and videos for free. Easy as: 1). Register, 2). Upload, 3). Share. Free and easy, there has to be a downside, and there is awareness regarding this.There is information regarding cloud computing for businesses! Businesses, who wish to get on the “flight to the clouds” like their peers to keep their heads above the “cloud” and competition. With cloud service providers, businesses can tap into the IT services that they need, when they need, for as long as they need; without investing in any IT infrastructure. The result is a far more agile and cost-effective IT services and this paper looks at how and why.After looking at the good of cloud computing, the bad, and the ugly is revealed. Not all our experiences on the Internet have been totally positive. A range of security and trust issues exist. Individuals and businesses ask is “how secured are their information once it is with the cloud service providers?” There is analysis on the ownership of data and information stored with the cloud service providers and taxonomy of data that you post on social networking web sites.Finally, anecdotes about cloud computing that support our endeavour to compute in the cloud. Cloud computing is not a hype, it is a reality. Cloud computing is not a fad, it is here to stay. The question is no longer “will cloud computing happen?” but “how you are going to exploit this technology?”Keywordscloud computingvirtual computingcluster computingdistributed computingpervasive computing