Cloud Computing is the delivery of computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the internet (“the cloud”). It allows users and businesses to access and manage resources on demand without owning physical hardware.
In modern IT infrastructure, cloud computing enables scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient systems where resources can be increased or reduced based on usage. It is widely used for hosting applications, storing data, running services, and deploying software globally.
For example:
- A website is hosted on cloud servers instead of a local physical machine.
- Google Drive or Dropbox stores files in cloud storage accessible from any device.
- Streaming platforms like Netflix use cloud infrastructure to deliver content worldwide.
- Mobile apps use cloud services for authentication, databases, and push notifications.
Common technologies and concepts related to cloud computing include:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Virtual Machines
- Serverless Computing
- Scalability
- Load Balancing
- Data Centers
- Cloud Providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)