1. On-Demand Self-Service
With cloud computing, you can provision computing services, like server time and network storage, automatically. You won’t need to interact with the service provider. Cloud customers can access their cloud accounts through a web self-service portal to view their cloud services, monitor their usage, and provision and de-provision services.
2. Broad Network Access
Another essential cloud computing characteristic is broad network access. You can access cloud services over the network and on portable devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. A public cloud uses the internet; a private cloud uses a local area network. Latency and bandwidth both play a major role in cloud computing and broad network access, as they affect the quality of service.
3. Resource Pooling
With resource pooling, multiple customers can share physical resources using a multi-tenant model. This model assigns and reassigns physical and virtual resources based on demand. Multi-tenancy allows customers to share the same applications or infrastructure while maintaining privacy and security. Though customers won't know the exact location of their resources, they may be able to specify the location at a higher level of abstraction, such as a country, state, or data center. Memory, processing, and bandwidth are among the resources that customers can pool.
4. Rapid Elasticity
Cloud services can be elastically provisioned and released, sometimes automatically, so customers can scale quickly based on demand. The capabilities available for provisioning are practically unlimited. Customers can engage with these capabilities at any time in any quantity. Customers can also scale cloud use, capacity, and cost without extra contracts or fees. With rapid elasticity, you won’t need to buy computer hardware. Instead, can use the cloud provider's cloud computing resources.
5. Measured Service
In cloud systems, a metering capability optimizes resource usage at a level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service. For example, you can use a measured service for storage, processing, bandwidth, and users. Payment is based on actual consumption by the customer via a pay-for-what-you-use model. Monitoring, controlling, and reporting resource use creates a transparent experience for both consumers and providers of the service.
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Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the article about cloud computing:
1. On-Demand Self-Service:
- Definition: This refers to the capability of provisioning computing services automatically without the need for direct interaction with the service provider.
- Key Points:
- Services like server time and network storage can be provisioned without manual intervention.
- Access to cloud accounts is facilitated through a web self-service portal.
- Users can monitor usage, view services, and provision/de-provision services independently.
2. Broad Network Access:
- Definition: Cloud services can be accessed over a network and on various devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
- Key Points:
- Differentiates between public cloud (internet-based) and private cloud (local area network-based).
- Latency and bandwidth considerations are crucial for ensuring quality service.
3. Resource Pooling:
- Definition: Multiple customers share physical resources using a multi-tenant model with the ability to assign and reassign resources based on demand.
- Key Points:
- Multi-tenancy enables sharing applications or infrastructure while maintaining privacy and security.
- Customers may not know the exact location but can specify it at a higher level (e.g., country, state, data center).
- Resources like memory, processing, and bandwidth are pooled.
4. Rapid Elasticity:
- Definition: Cloud services can be quickly provisioned and released, allowing customers to scale based on demand, often automatically.
- Key Points:
- Capabilities for provisioning are practically unlimited.
- Scaling can occur at any time and in any quantity without the need for additional contracts or fees.
- Eliminates the need to invest in physical hardware.
5. Measured Service:
- Definition: A metering capability optimizes resource usage, and payment is based on actual consumption by the customer through a pay-for-what-you-use model.
- Key Points:
- Metering is applied to storage, processing, bandwidth, and users.
- Transparent experience for consumers and providers through monitoring, controlling, and reporting resource usage.
- Payment aligns with actual consumption, fostering cost efficiency.
These concepts collectively define the fundamental characteristics of cloud computing, providing users with a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective approach to accessing and managing computing resources.
