What is Cloud Computing?
Unlike traditional computing, where computing resources are local to your computer, cloud computing enables you to access computing resources hosted on another machine, typically in a distant data center, over the internet.
One major technology that has made this possible is virtualization.
Let's briefly discuss virtualization.
Virtualization
Virtualization is a modern IT infrastructure technology that lets you isolate a computer's functions from its hardware. As such, we can have a virtual computer hosted on one physical computer.
We can also take it one step further by replicating and hosting multiple virtual computers on a single physical machine.
Virtualization has taken us beyond the limitations of physical form factor.
Having computers as software instances has afforded us several immense benefits, such as scalability, elasticity, agility, high availability, fault tolerance, global reachability, and many more.
Let's take a quick look at each of those.
Scalability
In IT, a resource is deemed scalable if it can dynamically scale up to meet increasing workloads and scale down to match decreased demand.
Virtualized machines are software-based. They are not bound by hardware limitations. Therefore, they can scale, manually or automatically, per demand.
This is a huge game-changer for businesses, allowing them to provide equal levels of customer satisfaction during on and off-peak periods.
If you have heard of elasticity, by now, you're probably wondering, how does scalability differ from elasticity?
Put simply:
Scalability refers to your system’s ability to grow over time to handle increased workload. This can be achieved manually or automatically.
On the other hand, elasticity is about your system’s ability to automatically adjust (up or down) in real-time based on demand.
Agility
In today's fast-paced business world, speed is critical.
An agile business is able to swiftly create a product, develop it, and launch it.
Cloud computing has made this possible.
Businesses no longer have to go through the long and expensive process of setting up a physical infrastructure in order to test an idea.
Today, it takes as little as a few hours to go from idea to product launch.
High Availability
Revenue loss resulting from service outages and downtimes can be detrimental to any business.
Systems that never go out, i.e, highly available, are a non-negotiable for every business.
The ability to seamlessly move resources in the cloud, as well as replicate resources on demand, are just 2 examples of the many possibilities the cloud offers, that guarantee uptime and high availability.
Fault Tolerance
A fault-tolerant system like the cloud can provide uninterrupted service, irrespective of the failure of one or more components.
This is otherwise known as adaptability.
Global Reach
Having data centers spread out across the globe means it is possible to replicate resources at locations that are vastly dispersed.
This makes for a great experience as users can access resources hosted in a data center closest to them.
Service providers also benefit from being able to sell to a global market.
Other benefits include fast application response time, lower latency, and so on.
Wrapping Up
Cloud computing and virtualization have forever changed the way we use technology.
By abstracting hardware through virtualization, we now enjoy many awesome benefits like scalability, agility, high availability, and fault tolerance.
On a global scale, businesses have been armed with the tools to move fast, stay resilient, and reach customers anywhere in the world.
Whether you're a developer, engineer, or decision-maker, understanding these core concepts is essential to fully harnessing the cloud's potential.
As we continue to build and innovate, one thing is clear—cloud computing isn't just the future. It's now.
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