Recently, such expressions as “cloud storage” and “cloud computing” are increasingly found on the network. It seems that the tendency to use these types of services is gaining momentum. Let's try to find out what these concepts mean.
So what is cloud computing? This is a whole concept, which involves launching and running applications in a standard web browser installed on the local machine, while the programs themselves and their data for work are located on a remote server somewhere in the vast network.
In other words, cloud computing is such hardware and software that is available to the user through a local or external global network in the form of a service that makes it possible to use the allocated resources (data, programs, computing resources) using the web interface and remote access.
In this case, the user's local computer becomes an ordinary terminal that is connected to the network. Those servers that perform cloud computing are called the computing cloud. The load on the machines that are included in such a "cloud" is distributed automatically. Thus, the computing cloud is a supercomputer, which sometimes consists of a very large number of machines.
The simplest example of cloud computing is peer-to-peer networks (p2p or peer-to-peer). The idea belongs to John McCarthy. It was he who, in the distant 1960, first suggested that in the future “nationwide utilities” would be used for computer calculations. Nevertheless, like any technology, cloud computing has both undeniable advantages and annoying disadvantages.
Benefits:
- reduction of requirements for computing resources of a PC (only having access to a network is mandatory);
- security;
- fault tolerance;
- speed of data processing;
- saving hard disk space;
- reduced costs for electricity, maintenance, software and hardware.
Disadvantages of "cloud technology":
- the emergence of monopolists providing services in this area;
- Dependence of user data security on the cloud
Currently, cloud computing is actively used by various companies. A vivid example of this is the Google Docs service, which the famous giant offers to its users. It allows you to work with any office documents through a browser.
Meanwhile, Yahoo !, Intel and HP have created the Cloud Computing Test Bed, a global open computing lab that spans multiple sites. The goal of this project is research and development in the field of cloud computing.
Microsoft does not stand aside. Starting in July 2012, official sales of the Windows Azure cloud operating system started in Russia. Google also released its cloud-based operating system, which is called Google Chrome OS.
Among other similar OSs, it is worth noting eYe OS, iCloud, Cloudo, CorneliOS, Ghost.cc, Glide OS and iCube OOS. In October 2012, cloud-based TransOS was developed at Tsinghua University in Beijing. A distinctive feature of this new product is that, as the developers say, it will be able to manage not only computers, but also production equipment and household appliances, like washing machines and refrigerators. It is also perfect for mobile devices.
Cloud storage provides an excellent opportunity for users who are experiencing a lack of hard disk space to store all the necessary information on the network. At the same time, you can use limited access, which is absolutely free. We note such popular repositories as Dropbox (2 GB for free), e-Disk (virtual flash drive for 4 GB), Google Drive (5 GB for free), iCloud (for Apple fans), Microsoft SkyDrive and Yandex.Disk.
As we can see, cloud computing technologies along with cloud storage are firmly entrenched in our lives. Proof of this is the fact that according to TADVISER, in 2014, revenues from various cloud services will amount to $ 148.8 billion.