What is cloud computing?

sdp1975 · 15th February 2010, 22:52

Isn't it just another fancy and overhyped term we hear in the world of computing/IT ?

Five cloud computing myths exploded | Tech News on ZDNet

McKinsey: 'Cloud Computing' Overhyped, Still Too Expensive

IIRC, there was a dilbert strip on it as well.

androdev · 15th February 2010, 23:03

imho, its not really a 'cloud' as of now. it is just that they have newer billing system for same old 'virtual private server' technology. they sell/market cloud using the analogy of your electricity service provider but when you get down to details, you are buying VPS hosting with fancy billing systems.

PM - B · 15th February 2010, 23:14

Use of www.team-bhp.com is an example of cloudcomputing.

bj96 · 16th February 2010, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by androdev

...its not really a 'cloud' as of now. it is just that they have newer billing system ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

... cloud computing to store your valuable data and someone from the Russian Mafia or Chinese authoroties might hack in ...

Refer to open cloud manifesto here Open Cloud Manifesto Resources. This site lists some of the things implemented and road ahead for cloud and dispels many myth on the subject while trying to standardize the concepts.

There is a concept of public cloud, private cloud, community cloud etc and the concerns for security (or lack of) is no different than any other networked application that we use which transgress the physical walls of our house/enterprise.

-BJ

Spitfire · 16th February 2010, 12:05

Somebody said Dilbert? I am a big fan. 3 strips I could find:

falcon009 · 16th February 2010, 13:30

Nice link for could computing in plain vanilla English >

YouTube - Cloud Computing in Plain English

deepakchiniwal · 16th February 2010, 13:48

RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
here is the book on cloud computing

im_srini · 16th February 2010, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadracer

Could someone explain it from a layman's perspective and with a real world example(if any)?

I guess the concept is familiar to you now...

Been working with the "Cloud" for almost 3 years now, ever since S3 debuted although it wasn't in the exact sense a Cloud. The "nuts & bolts" of the "Cloud" is pretty darn interesting & it's indeed come a long way. Anyway, Amazon's EC2 is one of the best Cloud providers, at this point in time. Not all Cloud vendors are equal, & you'll have to pick & choose wisely, & at times, even EC2 can be flaky. Used judiciously however, you can save quite a bit on infrastructure costs - especially if you're into simulation, CFD, & stuff where high-end hardware is a necessity.

And yes, security is one of the major stumbling blocks in the path to greater adoption of the "Cloud" - but again, it all depends on the sensitivity of the data that you're moving to the Cloud. There are a few security task-forces & alliances who are working to make the environment more secure, but it's still early days. If you think a "public" Cloud is too insecure an environment, you can opt for a "private" Cloud (1 & 2), or even a "hybrid".

Things have come full circle now - well almost. From mainframes & dumb-terminals, to 2-tier, 3-tier, & n-tier systems, we're back with net-tops & Chrome-OS - heading inexorably down the way everything started

roadracer · 28th February 2010, 19:40

Guys,I have understood this. But is cloud computing different from SaaS?
If so,what is the difference between cloud computing and SaaS

Cheers.

Punzabi · 2nd March 2010, 09:10

Software as a service (SaaS, typically pronounced 'sass') is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. SaaS software vendors (such as CyberShift or SalesForce.com) may host the application on their own web servers or upload the application to the consumer device, disabling it after use or after the on-demand contract expires. The on-demand function may be handled internally to share licenses within a firm or by a third-party application service provider (ASP) sharing licenses between firms

SOURCE: Wikipedia

TO make it more easy for you: Cloud computing is when you rely on third parties for Server space (a data center is the best example, where your servers/data are located off site). You actually become a thin client(may or may be not 100%).But in case of SaaS you "borrow" a software application or a user license for your needs. once that need is fulfilled, the company who lent you the software pulls back your access. Advantage of this technology is, if you need an expensive software for a short term and don't want to blow up your pocket, SaaS comes into picture. Its software on demand. Just like TV-on-demand where you can watch till you have subscription. Once your subscription expires you get no signal.

As mentioned in the explanation I posted, the software may be loaded onto your pc or may reside on a server on internet where you can access it remotely.

Hope this'll help.
Regards
Punzabi.

recshenoy · 2nd March 2010, 14:32

I was always fascinated by this term “cloud computing”. Never got chance to check out what it is. But when I read one of the post here which says, there will be nil or little CPU usage and all high end processing will be done by back end system. Now this is essential same as mainframes

As samurai said its old wine in new bottle. Essentially a 3270 Mainframes screen converted to modern Color screen

recshenoy · 24th March 2010, 18:17

people,

any one has worked on migrating mainframe apps on to cloud. Please provide some pointers!

also the advantages/dis advantages?

Microfocus is planning to make Cobol as language of choice for Windows Azure OS of Microsoft! (like Python by Google and Ruby by Amazon)
Looks like we are going back in ages with Cobol coming to life again

bj96 · 2nd July 2010, 10:11

The Cloud Computing Mind Map - O'Reilly Broadcast

Gandhi · 2nd July 2010, 10:50

These people really know what cloud computing is

YouTube - So, every cloud computing has a silver lining, eh? Ask Cisco

sgiitk · 2nd July 2010, 11:19

One more point why vendors like it. No piracy with Cloud Computing! How will they address the privacy issues I do not now, since data mining will be much more of a threat. As someone wrote today on another forum - Probably Google knows more about you than your wife!

15th February 2010, 22:52	#16
sdp1975 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,700 Thanked: 1,273 Times View My Garage	Isn't it just another fancy and overhyped term we hear in the world of computing/IT ? Five cloud computing myths exploded \| Tech News on ZDNet McKinsey: 'Cloud Computing' Overhyped, Still Too Expensive IIRC, there was a dilbert strip on it as well. Last edited by sdp1975 : 15th February 2010 at 22:56.
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 23:03	#17
androdev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 3,096 Thanked: 22,332 Times	imho, its not really a 'cloud' as of now. it is just that they have newer billing system for same old 'virtual private server' technology. they sell/market cloud using the analogy of your electricity service provider but when you get down to details, you are buying VPS hosting with fancy billing systems.
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 23:14	#18
PM - B BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 215 Thanked: 326 Times	Use of www.team-bhp.com is an example of cloudcomputing.
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 12:05	#20
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	Somebody said Dilbert? I am a big fan. 3 strips I could find: Attached Images
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 13:48	#22
deepakchiniwal BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 353 Thanked: 28 Times	RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting here is the book on cloud computing
	() Thanks

28th February 2010, 19:40	#24
roadracer BANNED Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 131 Thanked: Once	Guys,I have understood this. But is cloud computing different from SaaS? If so,what is the difference between cloud computing and SaaS Cheers.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 09:10	#25
Punzabi BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: PB-08/Adelaide Posts: 143 Thanked: 42 Times	Software as a service (SaaS, typically pronounced 'sass') is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. SaaS software vendors (such as CyberShift or SalesForce.com) may host the application on their own web servers or upload the application to the consumer device, disabling it after use or after the on-demand contract expires. The on-demand function may be handled internally to share licenses within a firm or by a third-party application service provider (ASP) sharing licenses between firms SOURCE: Wikipedia TO make it more easy for you: Cloud computing is when you rely on third parties for Server space (a data center is the best example, where your servers/data are located off site). You actually become a thin client(may or may be not 100%).But in case of SaaS you "borrow" a software application or a user license for your needs. once that need is fulfilled, the company who lent you the software pulls back your access. Advantage of this technology is, if you need an expensive software for a short term and don't want to blow up your pocket, SaaS comes into picture. Its software on demand. Just like TV-on-demand where you can watch till you have subscription. Once your subscription expires you get no signal. As mentioned in the explanation I posted, the software may be loaded onto your pc or may reside on a server on internet where you can access it remotely. Hope this'll help. Regards Punzabi. Last edited by Punzabi : 2nd March 2010 at 09:12.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 14:32	#26
recshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mangalore / Bangalore Posts: 1,128 Thanked: 254 Times	I was always fascinated by this term “cloud computing”. Never got chance to check out what it is. But when I read one of the post here which says, there will be nil or little CPU usage and all high end processing will be done by back end system. Now this is essential same as mainframes As samurai said its old wine in new bottle. Essentially a 3270 Mainframes screen converted to modern Color screen
	() Thanks

24th March 2010, 18:17	#27
recshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mangalore / Bangalore Posts: 1,128 Thanked: 254 Times	people, any one has worked on migrating mainframe apps on to cloud. Please provide some pointers! also the advantages/dis advantages? Microfocus is planning to make Cobol as language of choice for Windows Azure OS of Microsoft! (like Python by Google and Ruby by Amazon) Looks like we are going back in ages with Cobol coming to life again
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 10:11	#28
bj96 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,045 Thanked: 1,370 Times View My Garage	Cloud computing mind-map The Cloud Computing Mind Map - O'Reilly Broadcast
	() Thanks

2nd July 2010, 11:19	#30
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	One more point why vendors like it. No piracy with Cloud Computing! How will they address the privacy issues I do not now, since data mining will be much more of a threat. As someone wrote today on another forum - Probably Google knows more about you than your wife!
	() Thanks