Advantages And Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

Introduction

Cloud computing or “the clouds” are used to store and access data and programs by using an internet connection rather than the hard drive of your system. Today, everything has been moved to the cloud and the user can run the application by using the cloud, access them through the cloud, and store the result and other information right there. If we talk about the physical existence of the cloud, then they are somewhere at the other end of your internet connection, from where you can access the files and store them as well.

This blog will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing the basics of cloud computing, its introduction, the advantages of cloud computing, and its disadvantages. Majorly, organizations are adopting cloud technology due to the following three reasons attributed with advantages to cloud computing :

• Here, the users do not have to maintain or administer the infrastructure.
• Virtually, the infrastructure is infinite
• Cloud-based applications can be accessed from anywhere, only one device is needed to connect to the internet.

What is Cloud Computing? A Brief Evolution and History

In the 1990s, the internet was started to be used which provided and offered many new innovations in the business field. Application service providers came into existence and provided better internet connectivity and internet speed. Cloud computing just started nearly 80% year-over-year in the last two quarters and has grown even 8 times since then.

Today, many of the internet-based applications and programs are cloud-based which may be like your social media interaction, online stores, online reservation system and everything that is happening in real-time is cloud-based. Many CRM software systems are also cloud-based and are being used by most organizations for enhanced productivity, low costs, and better agility. The cloud-based applications are being used nowadays just like a sales representative that is using the application through his mobile device from any place and at any time. The device should be connected to the internet and then he can access and store the customer-related information from any location. Here, he does not need to go back to the office to access all customer-related information, as it is being now stored in the cloud.

Here to use the cloud-based applications, users need not buy any separate machine nor he have to administer any kind of software, all of this will be handled only by cloud companies that are running the applications.
 

Cloud Computing Service Models

Now, as you have understood what cloud service and computing exactly is? The next topic to be discussed is the models of cloud computing. Cloud computing services have been divided into three different models that are listed below:

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1). SaaS.  In such services, the cloud service provider leases the software or applications that are owned by their clients. The software can be accessed by the clients on any device, that is connected to the internet by using the tools like the web browser, an app, etc.

Here, the best example is Salesforce CRM which provides a cloud infrastructure service to its clients and even charges them for the service as well here the software is owned by Salesforce company and is hosted on the cloud.

2). PaaS.  In these services, the cloud service provider enables the customers to deploy even the applications that are created by their customers themselves. Here the underlying architecture cannot be controlled by the customers which may include the operating system, servers, and storage.

Here, the best example of PaaS service is for the developers as they are always concerned with the platform for which they are developing the service.

3). IaaS.  n these services, resources like virtual machines are provided to the clients by the cloud service providers. The providers here abstract the users from the physical location, data partitioning, and physical machine, etc. In such a service, if the user wants to have a Linux machine then he can access it without being worried about the physical machine or networking of his system.

The best example of IaaS is AWS EC2.

Types of Deployment Clouds

Once the services have been offered, the next major concern that comes into the role is the deployment models used by the cloud. Cloud systems can deploy the below-listed models:

1). Public Cloud. Public cloud services are usually free for internet users or the public. All services that are deployed for the public are available on the public cloud. As far as technical implementation is concerned then there is no difference between public and private clouds, but the security parameters for both clouds are not the same. More risk is possible for public cloud applications.

2). Private Cloud. A sole organization can have its separate private cloud, which can be done by any third-party organization or the organization itself. In a private cloud, users may have to update the hardware periodically, hence the cost of a private cloud is quite high, in this cloud security is also a major concern for the applications.

3). Hybrid Cloud. A combination of the public and private cloud is known as the hybrid cloud. These clouds have features of both types of above-listed clouds.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

There are many advantages to cloud computing through cloud computing, one can access the applications and software through the internet. Now there is no need to install the software physically. Due to technological enhancement businesses are reaping many benefits from the cloud. Cloud computing is being adopted by various organizations. Here is a list of the advantages of cloud computing-

1). Cost-Saving. Organizations benefited from cloud computing by cutting costs incurred in setting up infrastructure and software. Even with the minimum expense, the organizations can reap many benefits. Much cost can be saved as the organizations need not install any software or run or maintain the same.

In cloud computing, organizations only need to pay for the services and discontinue it whenever required. Organizations need not expand infrastructure if required they can lease it. Earlier, it was a myth that the cloud is quite expensive but now it has become quite affordable.

2). Reliability. To cater to the needs of larger audiences of diverse categories, organizations need to maintain a wide infrastructure. Through cloud computing, organizations can now cater to the needs of various customers consistently and provide them with better service and functionalities. Even round-the-clock assistance is also provided by many cloud vendors, which is close to 100% availability. The user now needs not to be worried about server maintenance or server hosting.

3). Manageability. With cloud computing, users need not be worried about maintaining the server. Server management can be easily done by the cloud service providers and organizations can focus only on applications or software. Server hosting, maintenance, or security has not been their concern. Businesses can remain worry-free about server maintenance and help their customers in other ways. They can provide timely service in a required manner to their clients.

4). Strategic Edge. In this competitive world, you may have to remain technologically advanced and cloud computing helps organizations stay technically advanced. Without performing any installation and maintenance user can now access the applications. Organizations can only focus on their key business aspects and plan their goals and business strategies easily. A strategic edge is an advantage of cloud computing.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

You have read the advantages of cloud computing, now let us discuss the disadvantages of cloud computing- 

1). Technical Outages. As many external vendors are involved in cloud computing it is possible that the user may have to face technical outages. Businesses can be temporarily even sabotaged due to such technical failures. Moreover, in the case of internet unavailability, it may become impossible to access the data, application, or software when you need it. So, to access the application and software you may have to be dependent on the internet and other aspects.

2). Security Issues. Cloud computing comes with the risk of confidentiality of your data and information. If you are using the service of a cloud computing provider then basically you are risking your data and information. Cloud service providers have to face many security-related challenges when it comes to the safety of data and information. If hackers will find any flaw or loophole in the framework then they will access the data and so it can be at high risk. Whether in the case of in-house software or application management, lower risk is involved. In a multi-tenant architecture, hacker attacks are more likely to occur, as data can be stored by various users. Cloud computing service providers prevent data thefts and thus try to reduce the security of the data or information.

3). Limited Controls. Now as the vendor is separate the organizations have little control over their data and applications. Organizations have little control over their data and apps as the data is loaded on the server and no access. Here, the user has limited control and can access data as per the privilege that is provided to him by the administrator.

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Final Words:

Cloud computing has become the most used and popular in today’s technical era. It offers advantages and disadvantages to the organization. The decision to opt for the service of cloud computing or not is totally up to your preferences and requirements. 

We are sure that after giving a thorough reading to the blog you now know about the advantages of cloud computing and its disadvantages very well. As an AWS developer, it is one of the most important things to understand the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. Make sure that you read this blog very nicely because these days one of the very first questions that you get in the interviews on AWS-related profiles is to illustrate the advantages of cloud computing.