Cloud Computing Essays

Abstract

This paper will define what cloud storage is, how it is used to store data and who is responsible for maintaining and managing the physical servers that host the cloud storage service. Cloud storage provides a way for several different devices like desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices to store data, but in a different location than the device itself, but still accessible by the device. Many mobile devices aren’t capable of storing large amounts of data, so by using a cloud storage service provider like a cloud or Dropbox can resolve storage issues. Dropbox is accessible across multiple platforms, however iCloud is only available to Apple devices, which will be covered in more depth within this paper. Other devices like desktops, servers and laptops within a business environment can also use cloud storage. Many in-house cloud storage infrastructures consist of virtual servers which will be covered in this paper as well as how they function. There are several pros and cons of using cloud storage, including backups, data recover and how they can be accessed by multiple users. Finally, this paper will discuss the difference between cloud application and desktop applications.

1. Cloud Storage Defined
a. Cloud Storage is a model designed to allow data to be stored in digital form within logical pools.
b. Data stored as a service
c. Physical storage spans multiple servers, within several locations
d. Owned and managed by a hosting company
i. Responsible for ensuring that data is accessible and available at all times ii. Responsible for keeping the physical environment protected and running
2. Cloud Storage for mobile devices
a. iCloud
i. Specific to Apple Devices/iOS ii. Suite of free cloud-based services to help users store and synchronize digital content across computers and mobile devices that support iOS iii. Enable automatic synchronization across computers and iOS devices of e-mails, text messaging, calendars, iTunes and much more
b. Dropbox
i. Can use used across multiple platforms like Apple iOS and Microsoft Windows ii. Dropbox allows item to be access them from any computer, phone or tablet as long as you can access Dropbox iii. Allows users to share, edit or remove items from any location with confidence and privacy by encrypting files and implementing a two-step verification process
3. Cloud Storage for enterprise environments
a. Software based
i. Cloud collaboration to shared network drives ii. Web sharing for easier access of shared files through a web portal iii. Cloud sync between computers to allow access to file on any computer
b. Virtual Machines
i. How they function
1. Share resources, and storage with all virtual machines within a single physical server/host
2. Create a dynamic environment
3. Highly randomized input/output commands and is unpredictable ii. Implementing virtualization
1. Stacks more applications onto one physical server
2. Optimizing resources
3. Uses host to install multiple servers onto one physical server iii. How virtualization works iv. How virtualization can be used
v. Security flaws for Virtualization
1. Stacks more applications onto one physical server
2. Optimizing resources
3. Uses host to install multiple servers onto one physical server
4. Pros and Cons of Cloud storage
a. Pros
i. Decreased management cost of storage resources by utilization of current storage systems ii. Increased flexibility and responsiveness of storage systems iii. Easier ability to move virtual machines between hosts iv. Ability to run more application on a single physical host
b. Cons
i. Requires a high understanding of virtual machines and how to configure, set up and install them which a single physical server ii. Businesses need an open mindset to more toward implementing virtual machines iii. More storage available to users without added physical servers iv. Reduction of cost to IT infrastructures
v. More convenient and offers more flexibility vi. Concerns of reliability and

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Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing