What is Cloud?
A cloud environment can be defined as multiple remote servers connected through a network to allow for a common storage repository of files or computer services instead of allocating a separate resource for each service. Cloud storage maximizes the use of a shared resource by dynamically allocating resources depending on the need. For example, if a company has multiple branches in different time zones and they want to use a software service only during business hours, if the cost to deploy the service is too great, the company can just deploy the service in one location and it can shared by all other branches.
Cloud’s Effect on the Environment
The main goal of the cloud is to use the as much computer resource as possible which in turn reduces the environmental impact by using local computers. Resources that can be reduced include power consumption by both the local computers as well as their cooling systems.
Cloud’s Effect on Organizations
Since the cloud shares a single or cluster of machines that is accessed from multiple locations, the organization reduces their cost to deploy and maintain hardware and software on individual sites. On average, it is said that 80% of a computer’s resources remain unused and they can be used as a part of the cloud deployment.
With the use of virtual environments in the cloud, hardware costs can be cut down much further and fail-overs can be performed much faster.
Backup Data to the Cloud
Data, when backed up to the cloud, is like having a soldier on a fully armored tank; virtually indestructible because the data is stored on Amazon AWS and Hitachi cloud servers. The data is stored in multiple locations and even if one data center is down completely, the data can he recovered from a different site.
Cloud is the future because it greatly reduces the cost to maintain hardware. Where there is a CPU, expect that it will be connected to the cloud.
