How does the Cloud work?

Nowadays, Cloud is a major trend for businesses and end-users. Despite that the Cloud is still unclear for most people, many of us actively use cloud solutions on a day-to-day basis. You use Cloud when check your Instagram account, logging in to online banking, or watching the new episode of the favorite series on YouTube. So, what is behind this sorcery?

What is the Cloud?

“The cloud” refers to the servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases that run on those servers. At its heart, cloud computing involves using the Internet to outsource tasks you might traditionally perform on a personal computer – anything from handling simple storage to complex development and processing – to a vast and powerful remote network of interconnected machines. Cloud servers are located in data centers all over the world. By using cloud computing, users and companies don’t have to manage physical servers themselves or run software applications on their machines.

The Cloud enables users to access the same files and applications from almost any device. That’s why you can log into your social media account using a new phone instead of an old one and still find all your timeline, photos, videos, and conversation history in place. It works the same way with cloud email providers like Gmail or Microsoft Office 365 and cloud storage providers like Dropbox or Google Drive.

         For businesses, switching to cloud computing removes some IT-related costs, such as investing in expensive hardware. This is especially beneficial for small businesses that may not have been able to afford their internal infrastructure but can outsource their infrastructure needs affordably via the Cloud. The Cloud can also make it easier for companies to operate internationally because employees and customers can access the same files and applications from any location.

         Here are three essential acronyms to remember: SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service). Though as-a-service types are developing rapidly, these types remain the main ones in cloud computing.

• SaaSallows end-users to use software over the Internet,
• PaaS is an online space designed for developers where they can create online applications for specific sets of users
• IaaS is a service for big players like Amazon and Google where they rent out immense computing infrastructure to other companies.

Cloud storage and cloud computing.

You might wonder where your data is. Remember two words – data center. Clients send files to a data server maintained by a cloud provider instead of (or as well as) storing it on their hard drives. Anything you’ve uploaded to the Cloud, or that you run from the Cloud exists on dedicated servers and storage volumes housed in vast warehouses, often situated on campuses full of such warehouses. Data centers are owned by cloud service providers, who are responsible for keeping the servers up and running.

Is it safe to store my sensitive data?

Keeping clients’ data safe is the top priority for cloud providers who care about their business reputation. On top of this Cloud, has many security advantages over a traditional system.

• It reduces the chances of data getting damaged, lost, or stolen. With a hard drive, files can be lost or deleted. But in the Cloud, they are saved even if a device is broken.
• With the Cloud, you get access to the best data centers and highly skilled IT professionals, who constantly update the systems and try to prevent any breaches.
• Cloud systems use authentication processes like usernames and passwords to limit access and data encryption to protect stolen or intercepted data.
• Cloud providers store backups in multiple locations to eliminate risks.

Why is it called ‘the cloud’?

“The cloud” started off as a tech industry slang term. In the early days of the Internet, technical diagrams often represented the servers and networking infrastructure as a cloud. As more computing processes moved to the servers-and-infrastructure part of the Internet, people began to talk about moving to “the cloud” as a shorthand way of expressing where the computing processes were taking place.

As you can see, Cloud has many advantages and that’s why the number of companies utilizing cloud solutions is constantly increasing. To get the most of available cloud technologies all you need is to collaborate with a professional cloud service provider. Check out Molnii services and contact us for more details.