Author Image Posted By : Graham Carmichael 10 Dec
Understanding the Cloud (Draft)

So what is the cloud? In most basic terms the cloud is server resources hosted in a data centre owned and operated by someone else.

So what does that mean. It means you don’t have to have your own datacenter, which is an area designed specifically to keep servers running. Space, power and air conditioning. These are expensive if done properly. It also mean that IT resource, by that I mean people, are not needed to maintain and repair the servers and the supporting infrastructure.

The up sides. If you want to use software hosted by other companies, software as a service (SaaS), you hand over your subscription fee and off you go. Software could be anything from your supply chain to a word processor. Generally all you need is a web browser and an internet connection. If you want storage such as dropbox, you need a computer with the dropbox client installed and an internet connection. You could even run your Windows Servers in the cloud.

The Down Sides. You are now very reliant on your internet service provider and all internet service providers between you and the other datacenter. You are reliant on the speed of that internet connection and all links between you and the other datacenter. You are trusting others to keep your data safe and secure and yes these systems are connected directly to the internet. You are trusting that these companies are not going to go bust and take your data with them. Yes it has happened.