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Info Byte
The services and solutions delivered and consumed in real-time over the internet are called
cloud services.
i + BENEFITS OF CLOUD COMPUTING
Following are some benefits of cloud computing:
• Easy Accessibility: Cloud services are available and accessible globally to everyone who has
a computer or any device with an Internet connection. There is no specialised hardware or
software required.
• Cost Effective: One has to pay minimal or no subscription charges to avail the services. It
saves us from buying expensive specialised hardware or software.
• Flexibility: The services provided by cloud computing are available 24 hours of the day and
seven days a week, and can also allow us to increase and decrease computing needs, hence,
providing users with the flexibility to work as per their requirement.
• Shares Workload with User: The user’s computer is not burdened with different types of
software and programs, and the space required for software is lifted off the user’s memory.
i + HOW DOES CLOUD COMPUTING WORK?
Cloud computing can be divided into two sections: front end and the back end. Internet is the
link that joins both ends. The front end belongs to the users/clients from where they access the
Internet for data, and the back end belongs the cloud computing provider.
The front end includes computers, simple applications, and all the means required to access
the cloud servers. The back end includes various applications and dedicated servers for each
computer program. This gap between the client and the cloud is then bridged by the Internet.
i + CHARACTERISTICS OF CLOUD COMPUTING
Cloud Computing has become very popular these days due to certain characteristics it has. Let
us discuss some of the characteristics of Cloud Computing one by one.
• No Dependence on Location and Devices: Cloud computing lets access the resources with
the help of a web browser. It does not depend on the device from which the user wants to
use the cloud computing services. The users can access it from anywhere and anytime due to
online infrastructure and internet-based access.
• Easy to Maintain: Cloud Computing applications are easy to maintain do not require to be
installed on the computers of every user. Anyone who is travelling or is at a different location
for work can use the services without any hassle.
• On-Demand Self Service: This characteristic of cloud computing helps users to use these
services as per their demand without time and location restrictions.
• Resource Sharing: Cloud computing allows multiple users at a time. So, it merges all the
computer resources like hardware, software, network connections etc. over a network.
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