What is a characteristic of cloud computing brainly?

Cloud computing is often mentioned in the current 4.0 era due to the outstanding benefits this model brings. So, what is cloud computing? Why is cloud computing an essential service for the digital age? What are the characteristics of cloud computing? Let's explore.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing, also known as virtual server computing, provides technologies and computing resources linked to the Internet. With the cloud computing model, users can access resources from technology, computing power, and database storage provided by cloud service providers.

If you are using web applications from major companies like Google or Microsoft, you are already using cloud computing. Web applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Hotmail, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Google Docs are all based on cloud computing. When connecting to these services, users access unified, massive server clusters on the Internet.

Characteristics of Cloud Computing

1. On-Demand Self-Service

The first feature of cloud computing is on-demand self-service. This means that cloud computing services provide all the necessary features for businesses to use digital data, including network, storage environment, servers, services, and applications. Therefore, businesses can freely configure, use, or stop using services quickly according to their needs at any given time without intervention from service providers.

2. Broad Network Access

The next feature is broad network access. The only condition to access cloud computing services is an Internet connection. Employees can connect and access work from anywhere and at any time without needing to be at the company or using the enterprise’s computer systems.

3. Resource Pooling

Resource pooling refers to data centers as the next feature of cloud computing. Cloud computing service providers have data centers to store data centrally. These modern infrastructures have full functions and various backup systems, supporting the storage and processing of massive data volumes for businesses. As businesses grow, these infrastructures also optimize both hardware and software to meet resource usage needs.

4. Measured Service

A standout feature of cloud computing is the measurement system, which records the amount of data usage, converting it into costs. This helps businesses know how much they have used to balance their budgets and optimize operational costs efficiently based on their usage needs.

This service benefits both businesses and cloud computing providers. Providers can monitor customers' resource and service usage, such as virtual machines, storage, and bandwidth. This helps providers understand better how customers use resources to improve their cloud computing infrastructure and services.

5. Rapid Elasticity

Cloud computing technology is highly flexible, allowing businesses to scale up or down based on their usage needs. Businesses can quickly upgrade or reduce the number of resources they need according to their actual situation.

Besides the five main characteristics, cloud computing technology also has additional features, including:

• Data Recovery Capability: Unlike traditional methods, cloud computing supports regular automatic data backup and recovery, reducing the risk of data loss.
• Security: Cloud computing providers implement advanced virtualization security technologies, supported by experienced experts, effectively managing and preventing security risks for businesses.
• Automation: Applications and services on cloud computing automatically update and refresh without manual intervention, reducing costs for the company's IT staff.
• Sustainability: Storing data on cloud computing uses less carbon than traditional storage methods, making it environmentally friendly.

Why Use Cloud Computing?

Traditionally, large companies and corporations install all applications or software on their server clusters. If a company has one server system, two companies will have two, and 1,000 companies will own a corresponding number of servers. To reduce the costs arising from these extensive server systems, cloud computing was born. As mentioned above, the "cloud" refers to the Internet, an almost infinite network.

Many businesses have now uploaded their applications to the Internet, adding many new features through web browsers. A recent example is the emergence of Chrome OS, an operating system with a full interface and applications right on the web browser. Sooner or later, you will be able to connect to any application just through the web browser on your PC.

Cloud Computing Applications

The capabilities of cloud computing are undeniable, allowing easy data access through the Internet. There are many applications of cloud computing, including:

• Cloud databases
• Website and application testing and development
• Big Data analysis and operation
• Website data storage through cloud servers
• Easy data sharing through platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, Shutterstock...

Cloud Computing Service Models

Like other new technologies, cloud computing is explained with specific terms and acronyms. Three important, fortunately simple and understandable terms are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS means you can access network hardware resources. It provides many resources such as firewalls, load balancers, and IP addresses, but you install and update the operating system and applications. This gives you more flexibility in using resources.

IaaS is widely available from providers like Amazon, Memset, Google, and Windows. A way to manage IaaS easily is to develop templates for cloud services to create a detailed plan for building a ready-to-use system and avoid moving between different clouds.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS supports cloud computing users with operating systems, databases, web servers, and programming execution environments. It allows you to focus on specific applications, letting cloud providers manage and measure resources automatically.

PaaS enables you to focus more on applications and end-user services rather than spending time on the operating system. IaaS providers also offer PaaS, helping reduce workload.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is the best choice if you want to focus on the end user. It allows access to software on the cloud without managing the infrastructure and the platform it runs on.

This means it is easily accessible and scalable. Many examples of SaaS include email, office software, and auditing tools from Google, Microsoft, Freshbooks...

Other “As a Service” Models

When describing cloud computing, "as a service" is often added to define it as a global network rather than sitting on a computer in an office. From "Storage as a Service" (STaaS), "Data as a Service" (DaaS) to "Security as a Service" (SECaaS), there are many variations from the three main forms mentioned above.