CHAPTER THREE

CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud Computing provides us a means by which we can access the applications as utilities, over
the Internet. It allows us to create, configure, and customize applications online.

What is Cloud?

The term Cloud refers to a Network or Internet. In other words, we can say that Cloud is
something, which is present at remote location. Cloud can provide services over network, i.e., on
public networks or on private networks, i.e., WAN, LAN or VPN. Applications such as e-mail,
web conferencing, customer relationship management (CRM), all run in cloud.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing refers to manipulating, configuring, and accessing the applications online. It
offers online data storage, infrastructure and application.
Basic Concepts

There are certain services and models working behind the scene making the cloud
computing feasible and accessible to end users. Following are the working models
for cloud computing:

Deployment Models
Service Models

DEPLOYMENT MODELS

Deployment models define the type of access to the cloud, i.e., how the cloud is
located? Cloud can have any of the four types of access: Public, Private, Hybrid
and Community.

PUBLIC CLOUD

The Public Cloud allows systems and services to be easily accessible to the general
public. Public cloud may be less secure because of its openness, e.g., e-mail.
PRIVATE CLOUD
The Private Cloud allows systems and services to be accessible within an
organization. It offers increased security because of its private nature.

COMMUNITY CLOUD
The Community Cloud allows systems and services to be accessible by group of
organizations.

HYBRID CLOUD

The Hybrid Cloud is mixture of public and private cloud. However, the critical
activities are performed using

private cloud while the non-critical activities are performed using public cloud

SERVICE MODELS

Service Models are the reference models on which the Cloud Computing is based.
These can be categorized into three basic service models as listed below:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

There are many other service models all of which can take the form like XaaS, i.e.,
Anything as a Service. This can be Network as a Service, Business as a Service,
Identity as a Service, Database as a

Service or Strategy as a Service.

The Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the most basic level of service. Each of the
service models make use of the underlying service model, i.e., each inherits the
security and management mechanism from the underlying model, as shown in the
following diagram:
INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE (IAAS)

IaaS provides access to fundamental resources such as physical machines, virtual

machines, virtual storage, etc.

PLATFORM AS A SERVIC E (PAAS)

PaaS provides the runtime environment for applications, development &

deployment tools, etc.

SOFTWARE AS A SERVIC E (SAAS)

SaaS model allows to use software applications as a service to end users.

Challenges of cloud computing

Security and Privacy

Security and Privacy of information is the biggest challenge to cloud computing. Security and
privacy issues can be overcome by employing encryption, security hardware and security
applications.
Portability

This is another challenge to cloud computing that applications should easily be migrated from
one cloud provider to another. There must not be vendor lock-in. However, it is not yet made
possible because each of the cloud provider uses different standard languages for their platforms.

Interoperability

It means the application on one platform should be able to incorporate services from the other
platforms. It is made possible via web services, but developing such web services is very
complex.

Computing Performance

Data intensive applications on cloud requires high network bandwidth, which results in high
cost. Low bandwidth does not meet the desired computing performance of cloud application.

Reliability and Availability

It is necessary for cloud systems to be reliable and robust because most of the businesses are now
becoming dependent on services provided by third-party.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Benefits of cloud computing for all organizations considering adopting a cloud-based system.

Accessibility anywhere, with any device

each branch or office across various states or countries. The improved accessibility doesn’t just
impact employees; clients and customers can also log in to an account and access their
information as well. This ensures everyone has up-to-date information whether they’re at the
office or on the go.

Ability to get rid of most or all hardware and software

With cloud computing, you’re no longer required to have your own server, cables, network
switches, backup generators, redundant routers, and so on. Depending on the cloud provider you
choose, they can manage all of this for a monthly fee. Reducing expenses is essential in any
business model and every cloud-based platform benefits from this factor alone.

Centralized data security

When you use cloud computing, data backups are centralized in the cloud providers' data centers,
removing the need for individual users or teams to maintain their own backups onsite or offsite.
This lowers the risk of data loss should any one backup fail or be destroyed by a disaster. Cloud
providers can restore the data from another copy maintained in their cloud storage, which is
continuously updated with every piece of data added.

Teams can take advantage of cloud security technologies such as data encryption and two-factor
authentication for greater privacy than they'd have when relying on their own equipment or
servers at home or in the office. Oracle uses a security-first cloud architecture with automated
protection built in.

Higher performance and availability

By using cloud computing resources together simultaneously, you reap greater performance
gains than by having your own dedicated server hardware. Cloud computing increases
input/output operations per second (IOPS). Oracle cloud delivers as much as 20X the IOPS of
Amazon Web Services.

Cloud services also offer high availability with no downtime because they’re distributed across
multiple cloud facilities. Cloud providers are responsible for updating cloud systems and fixing
bugs and security issues in cloud software, which is transparent to end users.
Quick application deployment

Unpredictable business needs often require cloud computing resources on short notice. You can
improve your cloud application development by quickly deploying cloud applications because
they are readily available without the need to procure additional hardware or wait for IT staff to
set up servers.

In addition, you can choose from a broad range of services that support different types of cloud
infrastructure technologies.

Instant business insights

Cloud-based platforms provide a unique opportunity to access data as soon as it’s collected. This
facilitates better decision-making as well as insight into what the future may hold for your
organization based on predictions from historical data.

Business continuity

In the event of disaster or unforeseen circumstances, do you have an effective backup plan? If
not, relying on cloud computing services can benefit your organization. Cloud computing uses
infinite data storage space and systems that can be activated remotely if necessary to ensure
business continuity.

Price-performance and cost savings

Although an initial financial investment is required to implement a cloud strategy, organizations

save substantial amounts in the long run because they don’t have to maintain expensive hardware
or local data centers. Also, since there are no upfront costs to use cloud-based systems,
businesses can test them out before investing in them at their own pace. Oracle provides price-
performance and flexible sizing.

Virtualized computing
Cloud computing is perfect for virtualized computer environments because cloud resources can
be allocated instantly to support significant increases in demand so you never experience
downtime again. With cloud computing, your business can expand its capabilities almost
effortlessly to meet growing demands without increasing staff or capital expenditures.

Cloud computing is greener

Cloud computing is a greener technology than traditional IT solutions. By moving to the cloud,
businesses can reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint by up to 90%. Rather than
having in-house servers and software, businesses can use cloud-based services to access the same
applications and data from any computer or device with an internet connection. This eliminates
the need for businesses to purchase and maintain their own IT infrastructure
Benefits of cloud computing

Advantages of cloud computing

Disadvantage of cloud computing

Limitations of cloud computing

Of course, like any technology, there are pros and cons to cloud computing.

For example, one of the most common drawbacks of cloud computing is that it relies on an
internet connection. Traditional computing uses a hardwired connection to access data on servers
or storage devices. With cloud computing, a bad connection could keep you from accessing the
information or applications you need.

Even top cloud service providers can experience downtime due to a natural disaster or slower
performance caused by an unforeseen technical issue that might impact connectivity. You could
be blocked from accessing cloud services until the problem is resolved.

Other disadvantages of cloud computing include:

risk of vendor lock-in

less control over underlying cloud infrastructure

concerns about security risks like data privacy and online threats

integration complexity with existing systems

unforeseen costs and unexpected expenses

Common risks are:

 data loss or theft

 data leakage

 account or service hijacking

 insecure interfaces and APIs

 denial of service attacks

 technology vulnerabilities, especially in shared environments