Cloud computing

Recently, more and more often such expressions as "cloud storage" and "cloud computing" are found in the network. It seems that the trend to use this kind 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 that involves running and running applications in a standard web browser window installed on the local machine, while the programs themselves and their data for work are located on a remote server somewhere on the network.

In other words, cloud computing is software and hardware that is accessible to a user through a local or external world wide network in the form of a service that makes it possible to use dedicated resources (data, programs, computing resources) through a web interface and remote access.

The local computer of the user becomes in this case the usual terminal that is connected to the network. Those servers that produce cloud computing are called a compute cloud. The load on the machines that enter into such a "cloud" is automatically distributed. 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 1960, for the first time, 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 shortcomings.

Benefits:

• Lowering the requirements for computing resources of the PC (only having access to the network is mandatory);
• security;
• fault tolerance;
• Speed of data processing;
• Saving hard disk space;
• Reduction of costs for electricity, maintenance, software and hardware.

Disadvantages of "cloud technologies":

• The appearance of monopolists providing services in this area;
• Dependence of the security of user data from a cloud firm.

Currently, cloud computing is actively used by various companies. A vivid example of this is the Google Docs service, which the famous giant offers its users. It allows using the browser to work with any office documents.

Meanwhile, Yahoo !, Intel and HP have created a global open computing laboratory Cloud Computing Test Bed, which covers many sites. The purpose of this project is research and development in the field of cloud computing.

Microsoft also does not stand aside. Starting in July 2012, official sales of the cloud-based operating system Windows Azure started in Russia. Google also released its cloud-based operating system, which is called - Google Chrome OS.

Among other similar OSes it is necessary to note eYe OS, iCloud, Cloudo, CorneliOS, Ghost.cc, Glide OS and iCube OOS. In October 2012, a cloud TransOS was developed at Tsinghua University, which is located in Beijing. A distinctive feature of this novelty 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. Also it is perfect for mobile devices.

Cloud storage provides an excellent opportunity for users who lack space on the hard drive to store all the necessary information on the network. At the same time, you can use limited access, which is absolutely free. Note such popular storage, such as Dropbox (2 GB free), e-Disk (virtual flash drive 4 GB), Google Drive (5 GB free), iCloud (for Apple fans), Microsoft SkyDrive and Yandex.Disk.

As we can see, cloud computing technologies together with cloud storage have become a part of our life. Proof of this is the fact that according to TADVISER, in 2014 revenues from various cloud services will amount to 148.8 billion dollars.