What+is+Cloud+Computing?


 * Cloud computing** is the term used to describe the use of the Internet as an alternative to a hard drive. When someone uploads files, posts photos or comments on a blog, they are "**in the cloud**". This is because they are using the Internet to store something instead of having it saved on their computer.

In fact, whether you know it or not, you have been cloud computing. Using services like Facebook, Gmail, Flickr and Moodle are all examples of cloud computing.

When using cloud computing, it takes the emphasis away from the home computer. By storing files and information online, one does not need to worry about purchasing programs or hard drives crashing. The files can be accessed by any device with Internet, anywhere, anytime. This wiki, for example, can be accessed and edited from my home computer, my cell phone, your friend's tablet, and your cousin's iPod.



To see the definition of cloud computing in a different perspective, this link will take you to an  easy-to-understand Common Craft video, //Cloud Computing in Plain English//.

There are three types of **Service Models**: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) PaaS (Platform as a Service) SaaS (Software as a Service)

This videohelps to explain the differences between the categories.

** Types of Clouds: ** // adapted from //[]
 * //**Public**// - The location of the computing infrastructure is at the vendor's premises. eg. Google, Microsoft
 * //**Community**// - The infrastructure is shared between organizations of one community. eg. government agencies
 * //**Hybrid**// - WIthin an organization, some applications are public, and some are community.
 * //**Private**// - Infrastructure is only accessible within an organization. This is expensive, but more secure than public.

For a more in-depth look at cloud computing, Wikipedia's cloud computing page is very informative.