Cloud Computing Guide, Everything You Need to Know

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of on-demand computing resources over the internet, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence.

These resources can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service-provider interaction.

In cloud computing, users can access computing resources from anywhere in the world through the internet. The cloud service provider manages and maintains the underlying infrastructure and software, freeing up users from the burden of maintaining their own hardware and software resources.

Cloud computing offers several benefits to organizations, including cost savings, scalability, flexibility, reliability, and security. It enables organizations to focus on their core business activities and strategic goals while leaving the technical details to the cloud service provider.

There are three primary types of computing services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each type of service provides different levels of abstraction and management for the user.

Types Of Cloud Computing

There are three primary types of computing services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). These three types of cloud computing services provide different levels of abstraction and management for the user, as described below:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):

IaaS provides users with access to computing resources, such as virtual machines, servers, storage, and networking infrastructure, over the internet. Users can configure, manage, and control these resources according to their needs.

Examples of IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Platform as a Service (PaaS):

PaaS provides a platform or environment for developers to build, deploy, and manage their applications. It includes tools, middleware, and other services necessary for application development and deployment. PaaS providers manage the underlying infrastructure, and users only need to focus on their application code. Examples of PaaS providers include Heroku, Google App Engine, and Microsoft Azure.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS provides users with access to software applications over the internet, which are typically hosted and managed by a third-party provider. Users can access these applications through a web browser or a mobile app, without needing to install or maintain any software locally. Examples of SaaS applications include Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office 365.

In addition to these primary types of computing services, there are also other types of cloud services such as Functions as a Service (FaaS) or Serverless Computing, which enables users to run their code on demand without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.

However, these are considered to be subcategories of the primary types of cloud services mentioned above.

MUST READ: M-PESA Mshwari Loan Guide, How to Apply In Kenya

Top 10 Advantages Of Cloud Computing

There are many advantages to using cloud computing, including the following:

1. Cost Savings: Cloud computing can significantly reduce the cost of hardware, software, and IT infrastructure, as users only pay for the resources they use and can avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining hardware.
2. Scalability: Cloud computing allows users to quickly and easily scale their computing resources up or down according to their needs, without the need to purchase or provision additional hardware.
3. Flexibility: Cloud computing enables users to work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection, allowing for remote work, collaboration, and access to resources from anywhere in the world.
4. Reliability: Cloud computing providers typically offer high levels of reliability and uptime, as they have redundant systems and backup mechanisms to ensure that services are always available.
5. Security: Cloud computing providers typically have robust security measures in place to protect user data and applications, including encryption, access controls, and monitoring.
6. Disaster Recovery: This can help businesses recover from disasters more quickly, as data is backed up and stored in multiple locations, reducing the risk of data loss.
7. Automatic Updates: Cloud computing providers handle updates and upgrades to software and infrastructure automatically, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches.
8. Environmentally Friendly: This can help reduce the carbon footprint of businesses, as it reduces the need for hardware and data centers that consume large amounts of energy.
9. Increased Collaboration: Computing enables teams to collaborate more effectively, as data and applications can be shared and accessed easily from anywhere, improving communication and productivity.
10. Competitive Advantage: This can provide businesses with a competitive advantage, as it allows them to innovate and respond more quickly to market changes, reducing the time to market for new products and services.

What is IBM cloud computing?

IBM cloud computing is a cloud-based service offered by IBM that provides a wide range of cloud computing services and solutions to help businesses and organizations manage their data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud.

IBM cloud computing solutions are designed to provide flexibility, scalability, and security to meet the unique needs of each client.

IBM offers several cloud computing services, including:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This service provides virtualized computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, which can be provisioned and managed through a web interface or API.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): This service provides a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications using tools and services provided by IBM.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): This service provides access to a range of software applications, such as email, collaboration tools, and analytics software, which are hosted and managed by IBM.
4. Hybrid Cloud: IBM offers a hybrid cloud solution, which allows clients to connect their on-premises infrastructure to the cloud to create a hybrid environment that can meet their unique needs.
5. AI and Analytics: IBM cloud computing also offers a range of AI and analytics services, including Watson AI services, which can help clients gain insights from their data and improve decision-making.

Overall, IBM cloud computing is a comprehensive cloud-based service that offers a range of solutions to help businesses and organizations manage their data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud.

What is AWS Cloud Computing?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon.com. AWS offers a wide range of cloud computing services that allow businesses and individuals to access computing resources, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking, over the internet. AWS services are available on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning users only pay for the resources they use, without needing to invest in costly hardware or infrastructure.

AWS provides several different types of cloud computing services, including:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This service provides virtualized computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, which can be provisioned and managed through a web interface or API.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): This service provides a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications using tools and services provided by AWS.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): This service provides access to a range of software applications, such as email, collaboration tools, and analytics software, which are hosted and managed by AWS.
4. Serverless Computing: AWS provides a serverless computing service called AWS Lambda, which allows users to run their code without needing to manage servers or infrastructure.
5. AI and Analytics: AWS offers a range of AI and analytics services, including machine learning and data analytics tools, to help users gain insights from their data and improve decision-making.

AWS also provides a range of tools and services to help users manage and monitor their cloud computing resources, including the AWS Management Console, which provides a web-based interface for managing AWS services, and AWS CloudFormation, which allows users to create and manage templates for their AWS resources.

Overall, AWS cloud computing is a comprehensive cloud-based service that offers a range of solutions to help businesses and individuals access computing resources over the internet, without needing to invest in costly hardware or infrastructure.

'Want to send us a story? WhatsApp us on +254729 334 564 or Submit to NAIROBIminiBLOGGERS via our Email nairobiminiblogger@gmail.com'