Cloud Computing Architectures Explained
If you have a computer, smartphone, TV or radio, then the chances are you will have heard ‘the cloud’ mentioned a lot and have a vague understanding of what it is. Unfortunately, like most useful things, people don’t really care how it works, just that it does. If you are like most individuals, there has come a point where you are heard the phrase cloud computer architecture being thrown about, but have no idea what it is. If this is the case, then read on.
When you are using the cloud, you are basically using internet locations to control storage and the running of certain systems, without the need for a specific access point as you would with physical storage. It is an on demand scalable service where users share a pool of tools for a lot less than buying them as an individual, making it cheaper to get the most out of your system.
Cloud computer architecture is basically the design for creating a user based service with different levels of control available to the user. The end user will be the cloud consumer and the source is the provider. It is the broker of the cloud that will manage the interim service that the user opts to have automated. This allows for connection and transportation of the chosen services. An auditor is the person/team that will review the cloud provider’s security levels.
Cloud application architectures are a way of configuring components by arranging them in a way that best meets the user. The service user will decide which of the offered services best meet their needs. Many use the service to store and back up their existing data and add to it without the need for physical storage.
Small businesses tend to use the cloud as a service allowing them to select which applications they need, as well as configuring them to best suit them. The apps are run from the cloud operating system letting smaller companies offer their customers a better service without huge financial outlay. As it can also be used to scale, it’s a great option for expanding when you need extra storage, upgrades, and even for downscaling should you hit a quiet period so no longer require the previous amount.
If necessary, more than one cloud provider is able to supply one customer which will not affect their service at all. All the customer will be aware of is that they have the storage and service they need on an on-going basis. For this reason, everything stored is encoded so that it cannot be hacked. Thanks to its flexibility cloud application architectures are able to run on a continuous basis, which is imperative for many businesses with websites that rely on uptime for transactions to take place around the clock.
Financial institutions and those of a sensitive nature tend to opt for a private cloud where only they use the storage allocated rather than it being a shared platform. This gives them additional peace of mind and more control over their information. Although the cloud application architectures of private clouds do not offer the same flexibility it is an option for those that are still concerned with security and is more reliable than physical storage.