Understanding Cloud Computing

Filed in archive Information About on November 9, 2009

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Every once in a while I like to define a commonly used tech terms that you rarely hear explained. Today we'll talk about cloud computing. Its one of those terms you hear used by techies but without any substantial context clues.

When we refer to anything as a "cloud" it really just means the internet. The internet, particularly wireless, seems like an intangible element that allows us to interact through invisible streams of information. Cloud is the word that makes this concept concrete. You'll notice often that a cloud is the actually image used in diagrams of internet providers and services, so the idea has been around even longer than the term.

Cloud computing specifically refers to applications and services offered online. Some examples of the kinds of programs that fall into cloud computing you might recognize: Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, Managed Service Providers, etc.

So why do companies use cloud computing? Well there's less info-structure when they buy services from a third party, as everything remains accessible online. These are also the kinds of services that make work from home, or mobile employment possible. These services are usually billed like utilities, at some kind of rate of consumption.

One of my favorite examples is "cloud hosting" where you only pay for how much bandwidth you're using (obviously this makes it cheaper for most people), but you also exist in the cloud so if you suddenly have a traffic heavy day, your site won't go down.

What's your favorite example of a cloud computing service?