Cloud Computing And Networking
Abstract– Evaluation of cloud computing and networking approaches along with its technologies is demonstrated in this study. Potential challenges of it are identified.
Technology is progressing and changing at a rapid pace with time leading to discoveries and modification in the field of technology almost on a regular basis. Changes in every field and integration of them with the help of new innovative methods are a common sight including cloud computing activities.
Researchers and analysts are gradually replacing the backdated method of data storage with cloud services. The stated technologies of cloud are being utilized by organizations and are sold commercially for individual purposes.
This assignment will state the basics of cloud computing and networking along with its importance and rising issues. Its role in the industry and for individual purposes will be stated as well to give the reader an idea about its significance. Recommendation at the end will be provided to give ideas about the modifications that are needed to resolve the issues.
2. Identification of appropriate research
Figure 1: Cloud Computing
(Source: Learner)
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computer services that are on-demand in nature. The services range from application to storage including processing power. The overall process is usually carried out in the presence of an intern and some paid components are there that need to be fulfilled in order to proceed.
Cloud computing is widely used by companies all over the world to store and access the necessary information that is essential for the organizations’ activities and operations. It is more effective to access and upload information to a common cloud server than to build data storage areas by the companies. It proves to be much more economical and convenient while accessing them. A cloud server can be rented by the company or one can be developed by it to do so [2].
One of the main benefits of using a cloud server by a company is that it will not have to expend on upfront costs. The headache of establishing and maintaining their information technology infrastructure can be minimized. A simple transaction can enable the company to utilize these services without going through the additional expenses and time consumption.
In turn, cloud service providers can gain significantly by providing a similar set of services to multiple clients for usage. Services related to cloud computing offer a vast range of options from storing data to processing power. It can handle standard and basic office applications along with artificial intelligence effectively as well.
One specialty of using cloud computing services is that the individual using it does not need to be physically close to the hardware components and machinery, as these activities can be operated and executed despite not being close to them [1].
Online services like G-mail and cloud-back up are some of its services that enable the user to contact another body or individual through the mail and create a backup of the necessary information like documents and pictures respectively. Companies like Netflix depend on cloud computing for live streaming their programs and shows and video streaming purposes.
Cloud computing is used by many paid and unpaid applications nowadays as a lot of content of those apps can be only accessed via the internet. The applications are trying to utilize cloud computing rather than being a stand-alone system. This has been a huge help for generating income a large number of people are spending money to acquire those services and unique features provided by these applications [3].
However, there are certain disadvantages of using cloud computing including the introduction of new costs. This can also pose a great risk for the companies using it as they are vulnerable to cyber-attacks,
The primary framework behind cloud computing is that the location of the operating base and the hardware components are majorly irrelevant to its functions and usage. The term “cloud” came from the of network telecom schematics.
Previously, the public telephone network was used to be represented as the cloud, which was then modified in the form of the internet. This is considered an over-simplification of course and for a lot of customers, data, and location of their services have been a key issue from the beginning.
Although the term “cloud computing” has been identified towards the beginning of the 21st century, the concept of computing as a service is familiar to humankind and has been utilized from early times. In the 1960s, certain computer bureaus had to rent their mainframe services to companies in order to minimize their expenses. This had helped numerous companies to cut their expenses and utilize paid services from other organizations [4].
The rise in computing and related services had risen in the second half of the 20th century, which led to a high demand for computer-related products and services. It is much easier for a company to invest in a computer to store large quantities of data than to rely on pen and paper and unnecessarily increase the paperwork. It was also much more feasible and contributes to the environment.
3. Importance (CURRENT STATE ART)
Figure 2: Cloud Computing
(Source: [2])
It can be said that cloud computing is one of the most unique innovation of the 21st century that has seen a wide range of utility since it was first introduced. The usage of cloud computing and networking has increased significantly with the rise in the usage of smartphones and new smart machines that one can see nowadays in the market.
There are numerous organizations that have benefitted from cloud computing and are under a constant search on how it can be utilized more effectively to carry out the business services. Moreover, the usage of cloud computing can be seen among regular individuals who might use it for their personal usages, such as entertainment or even backing up some important data and information [5].
Software programs can be run on a system without having to install them and enable individuals to store and access music and other multimedia files through the internet. The day to day necessities and issues has increased in the recent scenario, which demands something that is simple yet effective. The wide utilities of cloud computing have been put to good use, which has helped to overcome these daily issues. Its importance can be described on the basis of three characteristics [15]. They are-
Efficiency
- It facilitates worldwide access to data and information through a simple internet connection, which can help to save time and resources.
- Cloud computing enables businesses to save expenses that would have gone under the expenditures of establishment and maintenance. The majority of the companies pay as per their needs in order to utilize specific resources and services to carry out their operations [14].
- The matter of security is considered seriously by cloud service providers, as it is important to preserve and store the data and information. They are designed in a way such that they could not be easily breached or hacked by hackers and intruder software.
- The main feature of cloud data storage is that the user data and information may be stored if the organization or individual wishes to perform a backup action to preserve the files for later usage.
Flexibility
- Cloud computing is suited for fluctuating workloads and thus the business that has frequently varied activities and operations can utilize it to a greater extent.
- The cloud computing services can be customized and tailored according to the needs of the clients. This provides high flexibility and dependability on the structure. There are certain specific pre-built tools that can be utilized or altered according to individual needs.
- There are primarily three different cloud options, which are as follows-
Private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. All these different options come with varying features and solutions. Organizations can choose the best option according to their needs [6].
Strategic edge
- Cloud computing boosts productivity by allowing the organizations to focus on core business activities and leaving the task of data access and storage to a third party. In this way, the sole energy of the company can be focused on core operations and carrying out essential activities.
- The software that is utilized by cloud computing is all generally up to date, as they automatically get updated after some time while being utilized in cloud computing services [13]. This enables the company to use up-to-date software services which are usually better and more modified than its previous versions.
4. Role (Approaches & technologies)
There are several companies out there that have utilized cloud computing to attain a strong position in the industry with the aid of the latest technology. Leading companies like Apple and Amazon utilize cloud storage and related services to ensure security and make sure that they are not leaked or are breached while working with them [12].
Cloud computing and networking has a wide variety of role in the modern era of information technology. It is primarily used by organizations and individuals to access and store information in the time of need and avail software platform storage as a service. It nullifies the requirement of infrastructure and helps to cut the expenses. The stored information can be accessed from anywhere around the world, thus providing broader accessibility [7].
Services are charged as per usage (metered billing), thus aiding in cost-cutting. The company does not have to expend on additional resources and utilities on which it has to depend.
A lot of times it is seen that the companies or individuals do not have access to the necessary hardware or software configurations required and suitable for a task at hand. These groups or individuals can access any configuration of a virtual desktop by availing the resources from the resource pool as per the requirements.
The addition and subtraction of services can be carried out by on-demand services, which can be tailored according to the needs of the clients. This helps to customize the services and features according to their needs [8].
Cloud computing is the facility of computer system resources, especially data according to the demand without individual user-managed resources. The entire facility of cloud computing is provided by the cloud service provider [16].
There are many issues related to cloud computing. One of the major issues is that data in the cloud is vulnerable and prone to cyber theft. The security of a private cloud is the highest compared to others, and that of the public cloud is the lowest.
Another major issue of cloud computing is its huge investment in research and development [11]. The Chief Technology Officers always want to minimize the complexity of framing network and computing hardware. Theft management is another major issue relating to the security of cloud computing.
This can be managed by continuously complying to monitoring and reporting, detect and repress attacks by hackers, and a centralized hybrid environment for adequate control and visibility [9].
Service providers of cloud take the security risk as a shared responsibility. The service providers take care of the security of the cloud itself and the customers take care of the data security and likes, what they want to put, and implement in the cloud. Therefore, cloud services may be of different models like “software-as-a-service (SaaS), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).
Some cloud security issues faced with SaaS are-
- lack of visibility whether data is within the cloud applications
- Theft of data from a cloud by malicious programmers
- Incomplete control over the people who are accessing data
- Inability to monitor data in transit
- Lack of staff members who can skilfully manage the security of the cloud and related operations
- Inability to prevent insider theft and data misuse
- Inability to maintain regulatory compliance
User data available on the cloud can be accessed by the service provider at any point in time which could get altered or get even deleted accidentally or deliberately. The decision-making process is primarily based on the resources in private cloud. An extra level of control and protection in private cloud can compensate for the other limitations of it [10].
It is recommended that cloud services should be further made secure so that they cannot be easily breached when they are used by the company. Public cloud can be used where there is less concern about security and more about the cost. As it is a budget-friendly method of cloud computing, it helps to cut the costs [1].
In order to keep a part of data and information secure and breach-proof, a private cloud needs to be implemented in the structure as it is considered more secure and efficient. In case issues arise related to cost, people can opt for hybrid while maintaining data security [2].
A company when under work pressure for a short span of time can rely on data storage and computing instead of spending huge amounts of money on hardware and software services.
It can be concluded that cloud computing can be utilized by individuals who have a need for hardware and software resources to carry out certain tasks but do not want to spend on them and maintain them. The services of cloud computing can be provided by a third-party vendor by customizing the services and facilities according to the need of the client.
However, there are certain drawbacks of cloud computing including common security breaches and data thefts. Another drawback of cloud computing and networking is that it needs a significant amount of resources along with large capital and time.
The importance of cloud computing and networking has been providing in the assignment along with its day to day usage among companies and individuals. There are certain drawbacks of cloud computing which has been stated under the issues. Cloud computing has a wide range of usage from storing necessary information to processing, and further research and studies are being carried out to make it more efficient and convenient.
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Websites
[1] business.visualstories.com, 2020, Cloud Computing Importance, Available at: https://business.visualstories.com/importance-of-cloud-computing-for-small-businesses [Assessed on 18th April 2020]
[2] medium.com, 2020, Cloud computing, Available at: https://medium.com/mycloudseries/how-to-start-using-cloud-computing-as-a-startup-77055c60f74f [Assessed on 18th April 2020]
