Cloud Computing and IoT, have become closely associated over the years. So, if your interest lies in the elements and future of IoT, you must take Cloud computing into account as well. In this article, we will talk about cloud computing architecture, which is the foundation of how it works and what we can use it for. But first, we must have a basic understanding of what cloud computing is.
What is Cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a pay-as-you-go delivery of computing services. This includes servers, storage, databases, software, and even analytics over a network, referred to as “the cloud”. This helps lower operating costs and increases the efficiency and scale of a network. It offers many advantages and flexibility that provide a good reason for the increased usage of cloud computing. From Google Docs to Spotify, virtual networks that use this cloud computing have become part of our everyday life.
Instead of the cost of owning data centers, many commercial applications rent access to applications and storage among other services from a cloud provider. The data shared on the cloud can then be accessed through any smart device connected to the internet, provided they have been given access for the same.
Architecture
Architecture refers to components and sub-components that make the structure of the system. It is crucial in deciding the speed, application, and overall working of the system. In cloud computing, the architecture components are split as:
- A front-end platform
- Back-end platforms
- Cloud-based delivery
- A network (internet, intranet)
We know that, organizations and individuals use cloud technology to store some data in the cloud and access it anytime, from any device via the internet. Thus, Cloud computing architecture is a combination of service-oriented architecture and event-driven architecture. This can be classified as two different sections: front-end and back-end, connected through the internet. In brief, front-end refers to the part of the architecture that you, the user, see and the back-end refers to the component managed by the provider or host.
Front End Cloud Computing:
Front-end is what is visible to the user or customer of the service. It is essentially the client part of Cloud Computing that is made as per the requirement of the user. So, this includes a user interface that cements the user’s computer system and an interface that is used for accessing the cloud system. This could be a particular browser or app created by the provider. Different cloud providers and different services provided by them use different user interfaces, be it a different Web browser (examples: Chrome, Firefox, Safari) or different mobile apps.
Back End Cloud Computing:
Back-end components refer to the part of the system managed by the service provider. This includes servers, virtual machines, security systems, and programs. The back-end has the responsibility of providing security measures, traffic management, and protocols that provide communication between the network devices. The resources needed to control cloud computing are provided by the Back end.
The other two components, cloud-based delivery, and the network can be viewed as the glue that holds the front and back end together. Both the network and delivery are essential to providing services and accessing data and information from the cloud. Let us look at those two components in detail as well:
Cloud-based delivery:
Cloud based delivery is basically the services that the host provides the user with. This can be classified as three different types:
SaaS
SaaS or Software as a Service used by most end users (both individual and commercial) is the most common. It is the purchase or subscription to a software that can be accessed and used over the internet. These applications may also be available to upload to the individual servers of the system administrators.
IaaS
IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. Used mainly by application developers, it involves providing virtual services through physical hardware. This in particular applies to businesses that pay a certain fee to run on virtual servers, inclusive of network and storage from the cloud.
PaaS
PaaS stands for Platform as a Service. Network Architects use this service to access hardware and software tools from a third-party provider. This means that the user needn’t install and use storage on their end and can instead access the services provided by a host to develop and sustain large applications and networks.
Cloud Services Network:
The internet or intranet are the options available to deliver cloud services. The difference between both is pretty simple. Internet is a network of computers that allows users to share data and communicate globally. Whereas intranet is a restricted local network that allows users to share data only within an organization.
We can thus conclude that cloud services can be provided publicly or privately via the internet. Localization within an organization network through the intranet is another possibility. The geographical location of the ‘cloud’, i.e., the data center takes a back-seat. Regardless of where Cloud computing provides easy and flexible access to a shared pool of computing resources. The service providers often use virtualization, to provision and release the services as quickly and efficiently as possible.
This concludes the basic structure and architecture of cloud computing. But to understand the importance of it, start looking for the various cloud services that you use. Just to get you thinking, here are a few, Amazon Web Services, Zoom, and Dropbox. Compare and contrast similar services from different providers, which makes one more popular, how different is the front-end and how efficient are their back end services. The flexibility and pay-as-you-go economic aspect make cloud computing a service that will surely stick around. So, thinking about the various aspects of cloud computing will enable you to make smarter, effective choices when you need to avail of such a service.
