Basics of Cloud Computing

cloud

A metaphor for a global network, first used in reference to the telephone network and now commonly used to represent the Internet. Learn more about the cloud.

cloud bursting

A configuration that’s set up between a private cloud and a public cloud. If 100 percent of the resource capacity in a private cloud is used, then overflow traffic is directed to the public cloud using cloud bursting. Learn more about cloud bursting.

cloud computing

A delivery model for computing resources in which various servers, applications, data, and other resources are integrated and provided as a service over the Internet. Resources are often virtualized. Learn more about cloud computing.

cloud computing types

There are three main cloud computing types, with additional ones evolving—software-as-a-service (SaaS) for web-based applications, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) for Internet-based access to storage and computing power, and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that gives developers the tools to build and host Web applications.

Learn more about cloud computing types.

cloud service provider

A company that provides a cloud-based platform, infrastructure, application, or storage services, usually for a fee. Learn more about cloud service providers.

cloud storage

A service that lets you store data by transferring it over the Internet or another network to an offsite storage system maintained by a third party. Learn more about cloud storage.

computer grids

Groups of networked computers that act together to perform large tasks, such as analyzing huge sets of data and weather modeling. Cloud computing lets you assemble and use vast computer grids for specific time periods and purposes, paying only for your usage, and saving the time and expense of purchasing and deploying the necessary resources yourself.  Learn more about grid computing.

elastic computing

The ability to dynamically provision and de-provision computer processing, memory, and storage resources to meet changing demands without worrying about capacity planning and engineering for peak usage. Learn more about elastic computing.

hybrid cloud

A cloud that combines public and private clouds, bound together by technology that allows data and applications to be shared between them. A hybrid cloud gives businesses greater flexibility to scale up and down and offers more deployment options.
Learn more about hybrid cloud computing.

infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

A virtualized computer environment delivered as a service over the Internet by a provider. Infrastructure can include servers, network equipment, and software. Also called hardware as a service (HaaS). Discover the advantages of IaaS.

middleware

Software that lies between an operating system and the applications running on it. It enables communication and data management for distributed applications, like cloud-based applications, so, for example, the data in one database can be accessed through another database. Examples of middleware are web servers, application servers, and content management systems. Learn more about middleware.

platform as a service (PaaS)

A computing platform (operating system and other services) delivered as a service over the Internet by a provider. An example is an application development environment that you can subscribe to and use immediately. Azure offers PaaS.   Discover the advantages of PaaS.

private cloud

Services offered over the Internet or over a private internal network to only select users, not the general public. Learn more about private cloud computing.

public cloud

Services offered over the public Internet and available to anyone who wants to purchase them. Learn more about public cloud computing.

software as a service (SaaS)

An application delivered over the Internet by a provider. Also called a hosted application. The application doesn’t have to be purchased, installed, or run on users’ computers. SaaS providers were previously referred to as ASPs (application service providers). Discover the advantages of SaaS.

virtual machine

A computer file (typically called an image) that behaves like an actual computer. Multiple virtual machines can run simultaneously on the same physical computer.

Learn more about virtual machines.

virtualization

The act of creating a virtual rather than a physical version of a computing environment, including computer hardware, operating system, storage devices, and so forth.

Learn more about virtualization.