The cloud in the net?

Well... I think I want to start writing an article for in this blog about cloud computing. Why I choose this topic? These words become so popular in many IT's web news, magazine and etc. I bet almost all of iphone users ever have heard about iCloud but they do not know it is really meant. Do we really understand what is cloud computing is all about? Does it a kind of hardware? applications on smartphone ? Well this blog I will share what I understand about cloud computing after have done some research and reading thru' the net and an academic paper research (chewahhhh...). I promise I am not going to write about it in so much technical or a rocket science words here... I will explain to those who like to read this blog in a very simple words so that people like us can understand. Good luck !.

This topic triggered me an interest recently when I first heard (read about it) it through my ipad apps i.e. Flipboard (http://flipboard.com/ ). At that time I just read it at glance on the highlight and never bother the details of all about. For me, it is just another insignificant news about new apps available for ipad or iphone user.

Later, in MIS (management information system) MBA's class, cloud computing became words of the day after Dayah first time said intentionally about it in the class. I would say almost everybody in the class asking themselves what is cloud computing. Same happened to me, these two words keep bugging in my mind but I just cant explain to myself what it is really meant.

Thus, before I proceed, let watch this video (source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJncFirhjPg); credit to the uploader.

I think it is better to explain cloud computing by answering question. Let's use 5W1H method and in simple words.

1.What is cloud computing?

• Whether we realise or not, we have already used some form of cloud computing. Most of us nowadays have at least an e-mail account with a Web-based e-mail service like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or Gmail, then we have had some experience with cloud computing. Instead of running an e-mail program on our computer which we need to install a software, we log in to a Web e-mail account remotely. The software and storage for our account doesn't exist on your computer -- it's on the service's computer cloud.

• The delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network (typically the Internet).

2.What the concept and principles of cloud computing?

• Cloud computing provides computation, software, data access, and storage services that do not require end-user knowledge of the physical location and configuration of the system that delivers the services. Parallel to this concept can be drawn with the electricity grid, wherein end-users consume power without needing to understand the component devices or infrastructure required to provide the service.(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing)

• Clients would be able to access their applications and data from anywhere at any time. They could access the cloud computing system using any computer linked to the Internet. Data wouldn't be confined to a hard drive on one user's computer or even a corporation's internal network

• These services are broadly divided into three categories: 
• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), 

• SaaS refers to software that is delivered over the Internet as a service on demand. It is the application layer of the cloud. SaaS differs from the traditional method of purchasing software on CD-ROM or downloadable file to be installed locally on the user's computer. SaaS vendors develop and operate software applications for customers to use, but the software is usually run all or in part on the vendor’s hardware – a cloud hosted environment. It is a new software distribution model, one that is inevitably the way all software will be delivered in the future. Sales Force is a prime example of a SaaS offering.

• Example: Flickr, Facebook, Gmail

• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) 

• PaaS (also called cloud platform services) is a computing platform and/or solution stack that consumes cloud resources and sustains cloud applications. It is used by developers for the deployment of applications without the cost and complexity of buying and operating the underlying layers that support it. It is an ideal solution for programmers who traditionally have to purchase their own hardware and software to develop, test, and host their applications. PaaS abstracts the infrastructure layer from applications and simplifies collaboration by offering a unified user interface where tracking and testing can be done collectively by the members of the development team. Google AppEngine is one of the most well known PaaS services.  

•  Example: Google AppEngine, Force.com, Engine Yard, Java

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

• With IaaS, a company’s computing requirements are provided by an outside vendor thereby lowering the company’s CapEx (that is, the money it would have spent purchasing servers, networking equipment, and software) and OpEx (money spent on data center space, maintenance, and management). IaaS makes it possible for startups and small businesses to access IT without upfront investment. It allows a company run more effectively requiring less administration while offering higher levels of performance and reliability. With Winky’s IaaS, IT infrastructure is created inside our state-of-the-art One Wilshire data center where it is hosted on redundant, top of the line equipment and connected to Tier-1 providers. With instant access to cloud resources, it is simply a better way of delivering IT.

• Example: Winky networks

3.How it will benefit us?

It could bring hardware costs down. 

Cloud computing systems would reduce the need for advanced hardware on the client side. We wouldn't need to buy the fastest computer with the most memory, because the cloud system would take care of those needs for us. Instead, we could buy an inexpensive computer terminal. The terminal could include a monitor, input devices like a keyboard and mouse and just enough processing power to run the middleware necessary to connect to the cloud system. 

We wouldn't need a large hard drive because we'd store all our information on a remote computer. In simple words, cloud computing benefit us in terms of less infrastructure costs, maintanance cost, utility cost and of course electricity cost.

4. What is main concern in cloud computing?

• The biggest concerns about cloud computing are security and privacy. 
• There are issues being discussed on how reliable the cloud computing service provider in protecting their clients data.

I think I should put a stop here as this writing already long enough to read... hehehe... I am very happy to share further with you guys about this topic depends on your response and feedback. Perhaps, there will another episode of explaination in this blog to further elaborate about cloud computing... Thank you.