Introduction to Cloud Computing

Cloud computing refers to the use of computing services—both hardware and software—delivered over the internet. It follows a virtualization model and charges users based on their usage, known as the pay-per-use model.

For instance, if you want to demonstrate your product using 100+ machines but don’t own that many, cloud computing allows you to temporarily rent that computing power without having to buy hardware.

Whether it’s storage or computing power, cloud computing is all about providing on-demand access to resources.

☁️ What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is a technology that allows users to access computing resources remotely—from applications to servers—without managing physical infrastructure.

🏢 Cloud Service Providers

Some well-known cloud service providers include:

Google Cloud

Amazon Web Services (AWS) – The industry leader

Microsoft Azure

Citrix

Netmagic

Red Hat

Rackspace

🔧 Cloud Service Models

Cloud services are mainly offered through three models:

Software as a Service (SaaS) – For End Users

Platform as a Service (PaaS) – For Developers

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – For IT Admins and Architects

1️⃣ Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS provides ready-to-use applications over the internet.

These applications are centrally hosted, and multiple users can access them via browsers.

Common SaaS examples: Google Workspace, Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365.

Use cases: Billing systems, CRM, project management, and communication tools.

2️⃣ Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS offers a cloud platform with tools and services developers need to build applications.

Services include databases, middleware, dev tools, and more.

Access is usually through a web interface or APIs.

Two perspectives in PaaS:

Producer: Offers the OS, software, and tools as a service.

Consumer: Uses the tools via APIs to build and deploy apps.

3️⃣ Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides virtualized infrastructure (servers, storage, and networking) via the cloud.

It’s also called Hardware as a Service (HaaS).

Ideal for businesses that want to avoid managing their own hardware.

Examples: AWS EC2, Microsoft Azure VM, Google Compute Engine.

💻 How to Access the Cloud?

There are three main ways to interact with cloud services:

Web UI – Simple and user-friendly dashboard

Command Line Interface (CLI) – For scripting and automation

APIs – For developers to integrate cloud functionality into apps

🌐 Types of Cloud Deployment

Cloud environments are categorized into three types:

a. Public Cloud

Operated by third-party vendors like AWS or Azure.

Resources are shared among multiple users (multi-tenancy).

Ideal for scalability and cost-efficiency.

No control over physical infrastructure, but high flexibility.

b. Private Cloud

Built exclusively for a single organization.

Offers full control over data, security, and compliance.

Hosted either on-premises or in a dedicated data center.

Used by large enterprises and institutions needing strict governance.

c. Hybrid Cloud

Combines both public and private cloud.

Provides flexibility by allowing data and apps to move between both environments.

Useful for managing sudden surges in demand or sensitive data handling.

Hybrid models can be offered by individual vendors or as integrated solutions from multiple providers.

🔍 Key Features of Cloud Computing

Here are the defining characteristics that make cloud computing effective:

On-demand self-service – Use resources only when needed, and pay accordingly.

Reliability – High uptime and dependable service from top providers.

Virtualization – Flexible, virtual environments for running apps.

Scalability and Elasticity – Scale up/down resources automatically or manually.

Performance – Easily configure to meet performance goals.

Security – Multi-layered security including firewalls, encryption, IP restrictions, and port access control.

Maintenance & Monitoring – Managed entirely by the cloud provider; users are free from system maintenance tasks.