This is a guide to the Cloud or, more specifically Cloud computing and Cloud storage.
In reference to computers and the Internet, the cloud is not a physical thing, but neither is it some ephemeral mystery, as its name suggests. The cloud is actually a network of servers, each with a different function. Reached by the Internet, some servers use computing power to run applications or deliver services, while others store data.
Clouds can be limited to a single organization or company, made available to several organizations, or a combination of both.
Some computer applications are no longer available in a boxed set, or even for downloading onto the user's computer, but are accessed through the Internet. For example, Adobe's products are offered solely by subscription. Users of Adobe products do not receive a boxed set, nor can they download the software to their website. Rather, users must pay a monthly subscription fee. If they stop paying, they risk losing access to the software as well as the ability to open work that has been saved in Adobe's proprietary file formats.
Software manufacturers save distribution costs by offering their products through cloud computing, and many companies and organizations enjoy always having access to the most recent version, but the practice has not been without criticism, particularly from individual users, who prefer owning rather than subscribing to the software. Cloud computing may also require hardware upgrades on the part of end users, without the option to continue running a previous version, which can lead to unanticipated expenses.
However, cloud computing can reduce costs for software developers, and make software products available to those who may not be able to afford the large cost of a purchase, but who could afford a monthly subscription price. Cloud computing can also allow users to access programs using a browser, regardless of which device they are using, given that the infrastructure does not reside on the user's device. Maintenance costs and other issues involving installation and troubleshooting are reduced because the software is not installed on each user's computer. For this same reason, users are able to access the program from any device.
Cloud computing is a benefit to several companies, lowering costs and allowing them to focus on their business rather than matters of computer infrastructure and information technology. The disadvantages are more sharply felt by smaller companies and individuals, particularly regarding issues of security and downtime. Technical outages occur sometimes when cloud service providers are overwhelmed, and cloud computing applications cannot be accessed without a reliable Internet connection.
Cloud storage is similar, in that it is a method of computer data storage in which the data is stored on multiple servers that are often in multiple locations, owned and managed by a hosting company.
Although it wasn't always called that, cloud storage has been around longer than cloud computing. Compuserve offered its users an amount of disk space to store any files that they wanted to upload as early as 1983 and, in 1994, AT&T announced its PersonaLink Services, which was the first to be web-based. In their advertising for their PersonaLink Services, the company said, "You can think of our electronic meeting place as the cloud." Amazon Web Services introduced a cloud storage service (AWS S3) in 2006, which is used by Dropbox, Pinterest, and SmugMug.
Cloud storage has the obvious advantage to the user in that companies and individuals only pay for the storage they actually use. They no longer have to invest in multiple storage drives or other storage devices or risk the loss of data due to hard drive crashes. Because data is stored off-site, it is safe from fires or natural disasters occurring at the place of business or individual's home.
On the other hand, outsourcing data storage can increase its vulnerability to attack. Data security may also be an issue, as the number of people with potential access to the data is increased dramatically. There is also the fact that companies are not permanent, and the products they survive is subject to change. Cloud storage companies may go bankrupt, change the focus of their operations, or be purchased by another company that does not honor previous agreements. Individual users of various software products and services are not always even aware that their data is stored in a cloud. Thus, a smartphone user may lose access to photos and other data when he changes cellular phone providers, unaware that his photos were uploaded to a cloud controlled by the previous provider. Software programs sometimes default to storing files in the cloud, and users are not always aware of this.
Topics related to cloud computing and cloud storage are the focus of this category.
Recommended Resources
Datanet Private Cloud Solutions
Based in Hampshire, England, the privately owned company has two additional data centers in London, offering secure private cloud hosting, dedicated IP connections, and colocation services, including public, private, and hybrid cloud computing, racks and colocation hosting, VMware hosting, and server hosting, as well as leased lines, multi-site connections, FTTC, and 24 Mb broadband ADSL. Informational videos, case studies, and customer comments are included.
https://www.datanet.co.uk/
The multinational company is headquartered in Redwood City, California. Founded in 1998, Equinix is the largest global colocation data center, with two hundred data centers in twenty-four countries on five continents. Listed in the NASDAQ stock exchange as EQIX, its services, solutions, and industries are highlighted, and its locations are posted to the site. Other resources include analyst reports, case studies, data sheets, technical specifications, and infographics.
https://www.equinix.com/
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Fast PC Networks is an information technology consulting and solution provider with data centers in Dallas and Houston, offering server colocation, and two levels of backup services, and on-site network support and computer services within the Houston metro area, as well as the Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbus, Ohio metro areas. Its services are discussed in detail, and its redundant data center network is highlighted.
http://www.fastpcnet.net/
Intermedia: The Business Cloud
Founded in 1995, Intermedia is a unified communications service (UCaaS) and business cloud email provider focused on providing secure communications and collaboration to small to medium-sized businesses and their partners. Its services, which include productivity and email, security and compliance, voice and unified communications, vertical and enterprise solutions, and backup, file sync, and sharing services. Service descriptions and support services are included.
https://www.intermedia.net/
Sponsored by SYS-Con Media, the industry exposition has been held each summer since 1996, bringing professionals from the cloud technology world together. Participants and delegates may register online, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Its call for papers outlines its guidelines for submitting a proposal and gives the benefits of being a member of the Cloud Expo faculty. Speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for the next Expo are acknowledged, and schedules are posted.
http://www.cloudcomputingexpo.com/
Available for the iPhone, Android, Mac OS X, Windows, and the web, MediaFire offers online storage and collaboration services, with unlimited downloads, download resuming, zero wait times, and other amenities. Its cloud-based network and services are described, along with its policies, terms of service, subscription levels, and support services. Advertising opportunities and specifications are posted, along with press information, and employment openings.
https://www.mediafire.com/
Specializing in cloud storage services, the company offers bare metal deployment, virtualized private cloud storage, and multi and private cloud services, with flash for any workload, virtual workloads, containerized workloads, and backup and archive services. Its software-defined storage portfolio is featured, along with available support services and product resources, its partner program, and alliance partners. An overview of the company’s history is included.
https://nexenta.com/
The site lists, rates, and reviews online storage and backup services. The five highest-rated services are highlighted on the index page, which also lists recently entered reviews. Each listing includes an editor’s rating, reviews, and link to the company’s website. Listed services may also be found by price, generally listed per month. The top five service companies are also compared side-by-side by feature and compatibility with various operating systems. Statistics are included.
http://www.onlinestorage.org/
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Communications, Protus provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) communication services and solutions, provided on-demand, and available through a standard web browser, to the business market. Its services, which include an Internet fax service and email marketing services, and voice broadcasting, are discussed, along with its support services, and career opportunities. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, contacts are included.
http://www.protus.com/
With data centers located in the most influential technical and financial markets in the world, Rackspace specializes in cloud infrastructure, offering managed hosting services, managed cloud (public, private, hybrid, multi) services, colocation services, several application and professional services, which are highlighted here, as well as security and compliance services. Its services, solutions, and platforms are reviewed, and its reseller, strategic, and affiliate services are included.
https://www.rackspace.com/
The UK-based company offers a variety of enterprise-class hosting services, from colocation to cloud data centers, cloud server hosting, and dedicated servers, independently operated from its data centers in Manchester, England. Its cloud platform, data center, hosting, and servers are discussed, and its physical and fully featured cloud hosting services are described, and quotes may be requested. Its recovery services, case studies, and downloadable guides are included.
https://www.teledata.co.uk/
The software-defined data center is based in Michigan and operates three physical data centers in the United States, engaged in building virtual data centers from an industry-standard server, storage, and networking gear and software. Its software platform connects the hardware to the cloud, offering a fully-integrated stack, data center automation, nested multi-tenant cloud architecture, elastic storage, enterprise-class infrastructure services, and end-to-end security.
https://www.yottabyte.com/
