What is cloud computing?
Table of Content:
This short video provides a quick introduction to cloud computing.
What is Cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet. Computing services include common IT infrastructure such as virtual machines, storage, databases, and networking. Cloud services also expand the traditional IT offerings to include things like Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI).
Because cloud computing uses the internet to deliver these services, it doesn’t have to be constrained by physical infrastructure the same way that a traditional datacenter is. That means if you need to increase your IT infrastructure rapidly, you don’t have to wait to build a new datacenter—you can use the cloud to rapidly expand your IT footprint.
On-premises vs Cloud Computing
Here's a table comparing On-premises vs Cloud Computing across various factors:
| Factor | On-premises | Cloud Computing |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Ownership | Organization owns and maintains the hardware and software. | Cloud provider owns and manages the infrastructure. |
| Control | Full control over all hardware, software, and networking. | Varies by model: IaaS (infrastructure), PaaS (platform), SaaS (software). |
| Cost | High upfront capital expenditure (CapEx) for hardware, software, and setup. | Lower upfront costs with pay-as-you-go (OpEx) for resources. |
| Scalability | Limited by available physical resources; requires new hardware for scaling. | Virtually unlimited; can scale up or down on demand. |
| Maintenance | Organization is responsible for maintenance and updates. | Cloud provider handles infrastructure maintenance and updates. |
| Security | Full responsibility for security; direct control over all security measures. | Shared responsibility: provider secures infrastructure, client secures data and access. |
| Compliance | Easier to manage industry-specific compliance with full control. | Some services offer compliance, but maintaining full compliance requires careful configuration. |
| Performance | Can be optimized for specific applications with custom hardware. | Dependent on network bandwidth and provider’s infrastructure. |
| Upgrades | Requires manual upgrades of hardware and software. | Provider typically handles automatic upgrades and patches. |
| Initial Setup Time | Longer setup due to procurement, installation, and configuration of hardware and software. | Quick setup with immediate access to resources through the cloud. |
This table summarizes key differences between traditional on-premises infrastructure and cloud computing solutions, helping organizations choose the best model based on their needs.