The Cloud - Advantages and disadvantages

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Everyone is talking about the cloud in 2021 but Why? What is the cloud? Is it really new? What are the advantages of it? And disadvantages?

I will try to answer these questions to make it clearer to everyone.

Let's start!

What is the cloud?

To keep it simple, the cloud is just a term to talk about the use of remote resources such as servers. A server can manage many things such as: software, files, database, etc...

To be considered as a cloud, it should provide these elements:

  • On-Demand Self-Service
  • Broad Network Access
  • Resource Pooling
  • Rapid Elasticity
  • Measured Service

Source: YouTube- Azure Master Class Part 1 - Cloud Foundation by John Savill

Does it have only a cloud?

Of course not! It cannot be so simple, isn't? 🙂

It has 4 different clouds:

  1. The Public Cloud
  2. The Private Cloud
  3. The Hybrid Cloud
  4. The Community Cloud

Public Cloud

A public cloud is a provider making resources available to everyone via Internet.

A list of well-known providers:

  • Microsoft Azure
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Google Cloud Platform

The resources are accessed based on the services you choose. Some services are free but most cost an amount of money based on use.

Private Cloud

A private cloud is same as a public one except that it's available to define users instead of everyone.

The infrastructure belongs to the company and is managed by the company as well.

Community Cloud

A community cloud is some companies/governments sharing the same infrastructure to reach common objectives.

Example: services about jurisdiction, security and so on.

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud is sometimes called "MultiCloud". It's a mix of the private and public or community cloud. It's a link between different types of cloud.

Advantages of the cloud

Whatever cloud you use you will get these advantages:

  • Availability (99,9% of uptime)
  • Flexibility (add or remove disk capacity or memory)
  • High Security (buildings, rooms, and servers secured)
  • Resiliency (data stored in different remote areas, hardware replication, software replication, backup in place)
  • Always up to date (the provider manages the updates for hardware and software)
  • Less cost - you only pay what you use

Disadvantages of the cloud

  • Privacy (the data are not only accessible by you, but also the provider)
  • Misconfiguration can lead to a full access of your system because it's accessible remotely
  • Vendor Lock-In (if you use a specific service, you will have no alternatives to migrate to another provider)
  • Nobody to call (if your cloud provider is down, where do you call? It's more difficult to get high priority service when a problem occurred.)

In 2021, Cloud or Not Cloud?

I personally think that the cloud is the future in many scenarios but not all. The big advantage is that everyone can use the services provided by the Public Cloud providers, but the disadvantage is that the local companies which provide similar services will have no way to compete on the long term. Especially about the price!

By the way, I am happy to see how it will go on in the next years and I thank you for your reading.

Didier

 

 

 

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