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Cloud computing: What is cloud computing and what is it for?

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The cloud computing is a server or several servers that allows us to connect through the Internet to offer different services or offer services. This, is widely used today, by many companies and people, more and more adopt it.

There are many pages or websites that use the cloud computing, but perhaps due to lack of knowledge of this topic we do not know or recognize them , but for this and other things, we put together this post.

Today, we will show you a clear and simple concept about the cloud computing, where we will explain what it is, its characteristics and other things that will allow you to clearly understand this world. Here you will find why it would be useful or not to use it, and that criticism will be given by you after reading what we leave next.

What is cloud computing and what are its characteristics?

Transferir archivos desde la nube

Cloud computing is one of the computer services supplies , which offers us the opportunity to organize and distribute resources in the most flexible way and with economic scales.

Some of the services offered are: good storage, database , networks , software , and intelligent analysis, all through an Internet network that connects to a server known as the cloud .

You need several servers with an Internet connection, which is responsible for addressing all the needs that the client or user may have, one of the most common is access to information and manipulation of it.

Although is now used mostly for mobile devices , it is a service that can be accessed from any device, whether mobile or fixed, located anywhere. Although the amount of services offered or not depends on the provider or the type of user we have paid or obtained.

But what is the cloud computing and how does it work?

In itself the cloud computing, allows us to store documents and files , and works through a useful system that allows the sharing and transfer of packages .

It is divided into two parts: Front end and Back end, which aims to make the system work properly by connecting to the Internet:

  • The Front end , is the one we have in our computer or some cases in the end user’s computer network, which gives us access to the cloud. This is very common in the case of emails, that works as if it were an Internet browser , something like Google Chrome, although it is not always so, since you need an App that serves as an complement to its function, which is to give access .
  • The Back end , is directly dedicated to servers and data storage systems, although generally The App has its own server, which controls the sending and receiving of packages so that everything works correctly .

This server is guided by a series or list of protocols and software known as middleware, allowing computers to communicate with each other.

Being fundamental feature in some cases backup copies, so that when we lose the files we can always access a recovery of them.

Types of clouds how are they classified?

Cloud computing services can be classified into three, each with different functions and features, such we explain it below:

  • Private: This is the cloud, which offers us computer services through the Internet, but from a private network, widely used by users who limit the public to view its contents. This is known by a cloud with corporate services, or also internal cloud.
  • Public: This is a service offered through a public network, therefore the server is mostly , provided by external providers through the Internet, and we can find it available worldwide.
  • Hybrid: Well as the name says, It is composed with public and private characteristics, which allows a dynamic between the clouds, all depending on our needs and the costs that are presented to us. In case this is one of the most used cloud services in the world , and all because of its high flexibility in acquiring an external space.

What kinds of services can be offered in the cloud?

The cloud can offer us different types of services , which is why they are so important for many people. We’ll show you next:

Software as a Service (SaaS)

It is a hosting service on provider servers, where we as clients can access them through any browser, some provider offers support and availability services. This group includes the best known as Google Apps and others.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

It is a type of service offered by a provider, through remote access. One of the most used is the iCloud, where we (users) can create an account and manage our resources in our own way, all that infrastructure is provided by the provider.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This is a service provider that provides a number of software and Internet App. Whose cycle is to subscribe, access through the web or the APIs of the same provider.

What uses can be given to cloud computing?

usos de la nube

If we are using the cloud computing service, to protect our documents, you need to know that even if you do not program it or do it manually, it does so automatically after acquiring it.

But this is not the only use that can be given, there are others like the ones we will show you below:

Create native cloud applications

This is the main use that advanced people in the matter give to these services, whose focus is to offer technological, mobile and API App. These function as containers of a large number of computer packages where at one point they allow access and download of them.

Test and create applications

Creating an App takes a lot of time and in some cases even a great cost, but by developing them through a cloud service, time and cost can be significantly reduced.

Store data, create backup copies of them and retrieve them

When we talk about data protection, we mean the same thing that we mentioned at the beginning of this section, and that when we use a cloud service our data is exposed to a lower risk of loss, for what we will always know where we can recover it in case a loss occurs.

Analyze data

This is one of the great uses that we can give to cloud services , and it is because we can unify our data between different teams, and use the benefits of the cloud as learning or artificial intelligence , and thus be able to compare the information and make more informed decisions.

Stream audio and video

Streaming is the connection between two points directly, which allows us to connect with our audience at any time and from any device and place. By using the cloud services, users can view the contents whenever they want, as long as we grant them permission.

Incorporate intelligence

Intelligence models can be used to attract more customers and offer more detailed support or information that allows us to strengthen our relationship with them.

Deliver software on demand

This is a use that is mostly given through the use of the SaaS service, which allows us to offer the latest versions or software to our public, whenever they want and need it.

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing?

¿Por qué guardar mis documentos en la nube? Ventajas y riesgos

The cloud computing offers a series of services that gives us a variety of advantages, and as nothing is perfect we can also find some disadvantage. These are the following:

Advantages

Next we will show you a list of the most common advantages that we can find when using the cloud computing:

  • Simple and fast access: We can move our data from any computer no matter where we are, the only thing that is necessary is to maintain an Internet connection, during the process or use.
  • Easy use: Cloud services are usually complete and very easy to use, since their structure is focused on all types of users, even those that are not advanced. >
  • Total security: This is such a secure system that many of us prefer to keep our documents or back them up with a service of this, so much so that many companies use it.
  • Great privacy: By creating a user and uploading our files or documents with that profile, we will know that only we will see and manage the information contained and supplied by ourselves, there are more closed systems that count more securely to avoid cyber risks.
  • Very economical: The services offered by cloud computing providers are quite economical, not to mention the rental or profile that we have on the platform but we avoid fixed costs such as electricity consumption and other .

Disadvantages

As we said, not everything is pink, so we can find different advantages, although the most common are the following:

  • Little security on some servers : We know that we mentioned security advantages well, but we cannot ignore the great possibility that there is a cyber robbery, which is very common today .
  • Slow connections: If there is a considerable number of people connected to the server, it may harm the speed of data transmission, a situation that many of us will hate when it happens to us.
  • Services with limits: All providers offer us different plans or profiles that vary in characteristics and limitations, so to access a better service we will have to pay more, so If our plan is medium we will not be able to access the full version.
  • Continuous Internet connection: It is very necessary that we maintain a constant connection to the Internet because in this way it is possible to link the two points allowing the sending and receiving n of documents and files.