What is the cloud?
Everything you need to know about the Cloud: definition, comparison, actors, usefulness
Cloud is an English term meaning Cloud. In computing, it refers to a set of online remote storage systems.
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In other words, it is a system that allows you to store your data on remote computers (called servers) that can only be accessed through the Internet.
It represents the new trend in data storage.
The cloud is also called cloud computing, you can also find the terms synonymous with cloud computing, cloud computing or cloud computing.
Overall, cloud computing remains a set of solutions that allow different services to be delivered on demand over the Internet.
Through this system, all your data is stored on a remote server rather than on your computer's hard drive. Today, it is used by both companies and individuals.
However, there are many different types of cloud computing, and choosing a cloud according to your needs is not always easy.
How does the cloud work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of that storage system? What are the different types of cloud computing?
These are all questions to which it is important to give adequate answers. Find out here what you need to know about the cloud.
How Cloud Computing Works
The cloud is still a delivery system.
It is simply a set of equipment made up of servers in which customer data is stored and the connectivity (cable or fiber optic) through which customers have access to it.
It remains the property of a service provider who sells cloud services to customers with different geographic locations.
This remote server is a large, high performance computer (multiple processors and lots of RAM), secure, with a powerful operating system, applications and programs that are updated regularly.
It is rarely attacked by a computer virus. It offers various services to all customers who connect to it through the Internet or private connection networks.
In its configuration, the provider offers an automation option that allows the client to manage the server and the network according to their needs.
Therefore, users of this service are not required to follow a guideline proposed by the cloud. They remain independent and work as if the data were stored on their own hard disk.
The cloud user does not know the geographic location of the datacenters where their data is stored.
The different types of cloud computing
There are different types of nails on the market that specifically meet your needs. Whether you need to simplify your tasks or manage your operations more efficiently, you have a wide range of nails to choose from - here are some of them!
The public cloud
This is an infrastructure that allows your data to be stored online on servers that also remain accessible to other users.
This number of users is limited. The price in a public cloud varies according to the amount of data stored on the server. You pay as much as you store or use the data. This type of cloud offers its users an almost infinite amount of data.
The Private Cloud
As its name suggests, it remains the property of one entity. It's the type of cloud best suited for enterprises that want to have full control over their data, software and applications that are stored on their own servers.
These servers can be hosted in different locations than the company's. However, the servers can also be managed by an external service provider.
This type of cloud allows the client to have direct access to them. The installation of this type of server requires significant financial and logistical resources. This high performance and secure cloud remains completely under the user's control.
The Hybrid Cloud
Some companies have started using this type of cloud. In fact, the hybrid cloud is the combination of private and public cloud. It remains a prerogative of large enterprises with specific needs.
In fact, in the management of their various operations, they have two types of data (confidential and non-confidential data). Sensitive data remains stored in the private cloud and other data remains in the public cloud where everyone can access it.
It is possible to differentiate the different types of nails according to the type of coat used. Thus, we distinguish..:
SaaS (Software as a Service): Software in SaaS mode is software hosted and run in the cloud. It benefits from the power of remote servers to run your programs and applications without affecting your computer resources.
SaaS software can be accessed from anywhere (not just your company's premises, for example), making it especially convenient for remote workers or multinational companies with offices around the world.
A webmail is a simple example of SaaS software: instead of installing email software (e.g. Outlook, Thunderbird) on your digital devices, you access your emails directly over the Internet.
La Paas (Platform as a Service): platform as a service like Google Azure, Google Cloud or AWS (Amazon service).
Iaas (Infrastructure as a Service)
Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing
Using the cloud has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of the cloud are..:
Accessibility
It offers you, thanks to a support and an Internet connection, total accessibility to your applications and storage services.
All you need is an Internet connection to access your data or software, which makes the cloud especially suitable for the professional environment and teleworking.
FlexibilityThe cloud adapts to your needs as they grow.
You control the storage space or computing power you need: for example, an individual does not need to pay for 100 TB of disk space when his data is only a few GB.
Once you've reached your disk space quota, it's very easy to upgrade to the next higher formula for more storage space. You only pay for what you need and can easily adjust your subscription according to your needs.
Lack of initial funding
It is not necessary to make a large investment, either in hardware or software, to implement this type of storage solution.
This remains the responsibility of the supplier. You only pay a monthly subscription fee. This is a useful way to better manage your budget because you only pay for what you use during that period.
The disadvantages of the cloud are:
Reliability and location of the cloud
When the cloud is not hosted in the best conditions, the security of your data is not guaranteed.
Therefore, you should inform yourself about the encryption measures for your data and the security measures guaranteed by your cloud provider.
The need for an Internet connection
To access the cloud, you need an Internet connection to access your data and applications.
If you do not do so, you will not be able to access your data.
Some examples of the use of cloud computing for individuals and enterprises
Enterprises and individuals use cloud computing according to well-defined needs. Here are some areas of cloud usage:
Communication
It offers its users a communication option through messaging applications and audio and video calls. All your conversations remain stored on the remote server.
Data storageMost of your files (pictures, videos, audio files, etc.) are stored on servers. They can be accessed from any computer medium (laptop or mobile device). In addition, you only pay for the space the files take up.
It is used especially for data backup. Many backup software programs offer automatic backups to the cloud.
However, the cloud is not the only solution for transferring large files, as there are free alternative solutions for sending large files to one or more recipients.
The development and use of applications
Thanks to cloud computing, you can develop and use web, mobile and other applications.
You may unknowingly use several cloud-based applications, such as music applications like Spotify or Deezer (music is not stored directly on your digital devices but in the cloud) or video streaming applications like Netflix or OCS.
Video games in the cloud. Video games have also started their cloud revolution.
Indeed, to comfortably play the latest generation of video games, you need a powerful computer with a recent graphics card, lots of memory and a powerful processor.
This computer equipment has a high cost and will have to be renewed regularly in order to play the latest video games.
The advantage of cloud computing in the field of video games is obvious: there is no need to have a powerful machine to play the latest games that use a lot of machine resources.
Simply subscribe to a cloud game provider (such as the French startup Shadow or the future Google platform, Stadia) and you can play from any screen (computer, PC, tablet) with the highest quality taking advantage of virtualization and the power of the provider's machines in the cloud, with a scalable configuration.
The main players in cloud computing
Finding reliable actors is not an easy task. However, there are some important players in this growing cloud computing market.
Here I will mainly focus on cloud storage solutions (especially suitable for file sharing) that are of most interest to the general public.
Google Drive
The cloud services solution developed by Google is called Google Cloud. Google Drive is their cloud storage solution.
Like many of its competitors, it offers free entry (15GB of data). If you want more storage space, you will have to pay a monthly subscription.
It is a complete professional solution in the cloud that offers communication tools (professional messaging through Gmail, teleconferencing and videoconferencing system, team messaging, shared calendars), data storage, work document management, audit trails, etc.
Dropbox is one of the pioneers in cloud data storage. It is a well known and widely used solution for individuals and professionals. Like its competitors, it has free and paid basic subscription packages.
This is Microsoft's cloud storage solution (free for its basic formula, paying for more storage space).
As usual, Microsoft has taken advantage of the intensive use of its latest operating system, Windows 10, to force users to use its online storage solution. Follow my tutorial to remove the OneDrive if you want to get rid of it.
iCloud
Today, the Apple cloud (iCloud) is one of the best clouds. Users of Mac products (Mac OS, iPhone and iPad under iOS) have access to this cloud for the management of their data (data storage but also data recovery). This storage system is very powerful.
Amazon Web Services
The e-commerce giant also has a cloud called Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Launched in 2006, this cloud offers many services to its users. Similarly, you can benefit from both a public and private cloud.
Also, Acronis is one of the major players in the backup industry (see my article on backing up Windows 10 with Acronis True Image software).
In addition, Acronis has hybrid cloud solutions that are particularly suitable for enterprise data backup.
This renowned player in online storage is distinguished by the ability to purchase a lifetime license for its secure cloud.
This way, you only pay once for all your storage space and avoid the much less profitable monthly subscription formulas. Discover the pCloud offers
Criteria for choosing an account
In order to choose the right clouds, certain criteria must be taken into account:
Compatibility
Not all nails work in the same system. Your choice should be consistent or compatible with the supports you are using. For example, vendors such as Apple's iCloud only work with Mac tools.
The interface
It should remain simple and easy to use.
In addition, access can be made from any device (computer or mobile) and should not require the installation of a particular application.
Storage space
This is also an important criterion to take into account. If you take the free online storage option, you have between 2 GB and 30 GB, depending on the provider.
However, if you choose the paid online storage option, you have between 50 GB and 1 TB of space. It should be noted that some providers limit the size of the files that are sent.
Prices
This element should not be neglected.
There is nothing to pay for free online storage options. But, from a limit, storage space becomes payment.
You benefit from an annual or monthly fee. Before making this choice, you can use a cloud comparison.
Security options
Your data should be as secure as possible.
It can be synchronized with all your devices. Today, this system remains the efficient way by which your data remains safe and can be recovered when the support is lost.
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