Cloud

The cloud is a network of servers, software, and databases that are accessed over
the internet. It's a virtual ecosystem that allows users to store and manage data, run
applications, and access content or services from any device with an internet
connection.
There are few Cloud Deployment Models. These are:
1. Public Cloud: Offers services which are delivered to the public internet and
shared across multiple organization. Such as- Google workspace, Microsoft
365, Azure, AWS etc.
2. Private Cloud: Offers services to a single organization with more security
and control. Such as- HPE, IBM, Dell cloud services etc.
3. Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds, allowing data and
applications to be shared between them. It offers more flexibility.
4. Multi-Cloud: Uses cloud computing services from at least two different
cloud providers to run applications. Multi-cloud environments can include
public clouds, private clouds, or a combination of both.
Clouds are used for many different tasks. Some of these are-
1. Store and Backup data securely with scalable solution.
2. Analyze large datasets to gain insights.
3. Implement disaster recovery solutions with minimal effort.
4. More flexible and robust than other web applications.
5. Can store almost any type of file on the cloud.
6. Supports social networking by hosting and managing large amounts of user-
generated data on cloud-based platforms.
Despite these, there are many more uses of the Cloud.
Some of the major Cloud Providers are-
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
2. Microsoft Azure
3. Google Cloud Platform
4. IBM Cloud
5. Oracle Cloud etc.
 Virtualization
Virtualization is a technology that creates virtual representations of physical
machines, such as servers, storage, and networks, using software. This software
mimics the functions of physical hardware, allowing multiple virtual machines
(VMs) to run simultaneously on a single physical machine. It allows multiple
virtual instances to run on a single physical hardware platform, enabling more
efficient utilization of resources and flexibility in deployment and management.
There are different types of Virtualization. Some of these are-
1. Server Virtualization: A software technology that allows multiple virtual
machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server. It Improves server
utilization and reduces hardware costs. For example: VMware, vSphere,
Microsoft Hyper-V.
2. Desktop Virtualization: A technology that allows users to access their
desktop remotely from any device connected to a network. Users can access
their desktop from any device. For example: VMware Horizon, Citrix
Virtual Apps and Desktops.
3. Application Virtualization: A technology that allows applications to run on
operating systems other than the ones they were originally designed for. It
reduces conflicts between applications and simplifies deployment. For
example: VMware ThinApp, Microsoft App-V.
4. Storage Virtualization: A technology that combines multiple physical
storage devices into a single virtual storage device. It provides more efficient
storage management and utilization. For example: VMware vSAN, IBM
SAN Volume Controller.
5. Network Virtualization: The process of moving network resources from
hardware to software. It allows for the separation of network functions into
different components, such as physical infrastructure, routers, switches, and
firewalls. For example: VMware NSX, Cisco ACI.
Steps for setting up virtualization:
1. Prepare the system
2. Install a hypervisor (a software component that manages multiple virtual
machines in a computer)
3. Create a virtual machine (a software-defined computer that runs on a
physical computer with a separate operating system and computing
resources)
4. Assign resources to the VM
5. Start the VM
6. Use the VM
7. Shut down the VM

There are many benefits of virtualization. These are-

1. Can reduce operating costs by eliminating the need to buy physical hardware
or systems.
2. Reduce the time it takes to manage and maintain servers, which can increase
worker productivity.
3. Can help prevent data loss by transferring information to backup servers
when the original server crashes.
4. Can provide a higher level of security.
5. Can allow software testers to experiment in a virtual environment without
damaging real hardware.
6. Easily scale resources up or down by creating or removing VMs as needed.
Besides there are many more advantages of Virtualization.
Types of Cloud Computing
In general, Cloud Computing Models are widely classified into 3 types. They are
as follows:
1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): It provides scalable and virtualized
computing resources like servers, storage, and networking over the internet.
In this service, users can have full control over the infrastructure, having
customization and management access of virtual machines storage, and
networking components. This is the typical deployment model of cloud
storage providers. For example: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft
Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): It provides a platform and a environment for
developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without dealing with
the underlying infrastructure. It offers tools and services such as
development frameworks, databases, and middleware, streamlining the
application development lifecycle. PaaS gives users a shared cloud platform
for application development and management without having to build and
maintain the infrastructure usually associated with the process). For
example: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Services, Heroku.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS deliver software applications over the
internet on a subscription basis. It eliminating the need for users to install,
maintain, or update the software locally. With this service users can access
the applications from any device with an internet connection, enabling
flexibility and accessibility. For example: Google Workspace (formerly G
Suite), Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce.