Cloud Computing
Introduction to Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing means using computing resources over the internet instead of managing physical servers and data centers.
Instead of buying servers, installing software, and maintaining hardware, companies can rent resources on demand from cloud providers.
Goal of This Lesson
By the end of this article, you will understand:
- What cloud computing is
- Why cloud computing was introduced
- How cloud changed the way applications are built and deployed
Simple Definition
Cloud computing means using servers, storage, databases, and software over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Life Before Cloud Computing
Before cloud, companies had to manage everything themselves.
- Buy physical servers
- Rent data center space
- Install operating systems manually
- Handle backups, security, and maintenance
- Plan for peak traffic in advance
Caution
Companies often bought extra servers just in case traffic increased. Most of the time, those servers stayed unused.
A Small Story: Why Cloud Was Needed
Imagine a startup launching a new website.
In the beginning:
- Very few users
- One small server was enough
- Costs were low
One day, a marketing campaign went viral.
Suddenly:
- Thousands of users visited at the same time
- The server became slow
- Pages stopped loading
- The website crashed
The team realized:
- Buying new servers would take weeks
- Lost users would never come back
Turning Point
The problem was not the idea. The problem was inflexible infrastructure.
How Cloud Solved This Problem
Cloud computing allows:
- Instant server creation
- Automatic scaling
- Pay only for what you use
- Global availability
With cloud:
- Servers can be launched in minutes
- Resources scale automatically
- No upfront hardware cost
Pro Tip
Cloud turns infrastructure from a long-term investment into an on-demand service.
Core Components of Cloud Computing
1. Compute
Used to run applications and code.
Examples:
- Virtual servers
- Containers
- Serverless functions
2. Storage
Used to store files, images, videos, and backups.
Examples:
- Object storage
- Block storage
- File storage
3. Database
Used to store structured and unstructured data.
Examples:
- SQL databases
- NoSQL databases
4. Networking
Connects all cloud resources securely.
Examples:
- Virtual networks
- Firewalls
- Load balancers
Real World Scenario
A web application uses compute to run code, storage for images, a database for orders, and networking to connect everything.
Types of Cloud Computing
Public Cloud
- Resources shared across multiple customers
- Highly scalable
- Cost-effective
Private Cloud
- Dedicated infrastructure for one organization
- More control
- Higher cost
Hybrid Cloud
- Combination of public and private cloud
- Flexible and balanced approach
Important
Most modern companies use public or hybrid cloud models.
Service Models in Cloud
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Provides virtual servers and networking
- User manages OS and applications
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Provides runtime environment
- User focuses on code
Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Fully managed software
- User just uses the application
Goal Achieved
Understanding these models helps you choose the right cloud service for your needs.
Why Cloud Computing Is Important Today
Cloud enables:
- Faster innovation
- Global reach
- High availability
- Cost optimization
- Better security
Learning Insight
Cloud computing is the foundation of modern IT and software development.
Exercise
- Think about an application you use daily.
Identify:
- Compute
- Storage
- Database
- Networking
- Decide whether it fits IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS