Cloud-based services may seem like a difficult idea to understand, but it actually couldn´t be easier. Cloud Computing refers to using a network located and hosted on the internet to store, process, and manage data. You won´t need to host or maintain anything yourself to store any kind of data, cloud computing does that for you.
Moreover, cloud-based services are services based in cloud computing provided by companies, with payment centered on usage. They ease the process of user data flow between the user’s end and the company´s server.
We use Cloud-based services in everyday life even though they may not seem like it. Cloud-based services are an important concept to understand in this technologically advanced world, that´s why in this article we will talk about:
- What is a server?
- How do Cloud-based services work?
- Cloud Deployments
- Types of Cloud Service
- Benefits of Cloud-based services
- How can Connectech help you get more information on cloud-based services?
1- What is a server?
To learn what are cloud-based services and everything about them, we must start learning the basics of cloud computing. A server is a computer/system that delivers resources (like data, services, or programs) to other systems known as clients. It works with a device configured to listen to any request from the client side.
In other words, what allows cloud-based services to work is delivering services related to data. The providers have to constantly maintain the servers since they are constantly required and most of them are never turned off.
We can categorize servers depending on their location and the requirements of said location. Some of the most common are:
PAN (Personal Area Network)
Firstly we have the PAN. This server is integrated for a single person as implied by its name. It can incorporate one PC, minor devices, phones, etc. It is also known as HAN (Home Area Network) if many people use a similar system inside their home.
This kind of system is usually managed from a computer but it can also be opened from other devices. This server gives adaptability and control over certain stuff. Providing data transmission between personal devices and can be used for communication between those devices.
Having a wired internet connection is a regular feature that many homes have.
LAN (Local Area Network)
Secondly, there´s the LAN, which consists of connecting various devices under the same area, usually used for homes, offices, or other buildings. They are useful for sharing data between devices (for example, information stockpiling).
It´s used when there is a need of sharing information between single areas but not with the outside world. A LAN server may consist of just two PCs up to more depending on the area it’s used in.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
Thirdly, we have the MAN, which takes more space than a LAN, and it is a network that covers a bigger geographical region. It can take over a whole school, city, multiple buildings, etc. They are often used to associate a certain amount of LANs together to form a much bigger system.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Last we have the WAN, which involves a much bigger region, like a country or even the whole world. Continuing the pattern from the MAN, a WAN can contain more LANs or MANs to form a bigger system. The Internet is one of the most well-known examples of a WAN.
The servers of cloud-based services are mostly maintained within a WAN. That is why it’s important to know about it.
2-How do Cloud-based services work?
Cloud-based services depend on software and hardware, like any other IT solution. The service providers create, manage, and maintain it. The service is made accessible to the client from the own provider´s server. Because of this, users won´t need anything more than a device with an operating system and network connection to access them.
Cloud-based services have certain characteristics to them, mainly:
- They use server and storage visualization to assign and manage resources in a quick way.
- Multi-tenant, meaning that a single instance of the service serves multiple clients.
- Accessible via web browsers on multiple devices (like computers and phones).
- They distribute resources on-demand from a catalog with pre-defined settings.
- Paid by the users depending on their usage and their arrangement.
3-Cloud Deployments
It should be noted that companies have to decide which type of cloud deployment works best for cloud-based services. There are 3 types of cloud deployments:
Public Cloud
They are clouds completely owned by their providers. Furthermore, in a public cloud, hardware and storage are shared with other organizations and the client accesses and manages their account through a web browser. The Internet manages all the servers made in a public cloud. In short, the providers own and operate the cloud resources and they deliver them over the internet to their customers.
They are several advantages to a public cloud:
- Lower cost, since you don´t have to pay anything other than the service to be able to use it.
- No need to maintain it, since the provider or 3rd party does that for you.
- The resources are available on-demand to meet your needs.
- There are a lot of servers, ensuring there are no failures, making it more reliable.
Private Cloud
The private cloud is not available for other users, unlike public clouds. They are usually used by just one business or organization. It can be located in said organization´s data center or hosted by a 3rd party. The service and its infrastructure are maintained in a private network, with the hardware and software also being dedicated to the organization.
For an organization, the private cloud makes it easier to customize the resources to meet a specific end. Government agencies, private organizations, and financial institutions use them often.
A private cloud can bring more security to a business, their main advantages are:
- More flexibility, since resources can be customized to meet specific requirements.
- Better control and privacy because resources are not shared outside the organization.
- Additional scalability compared to on-premises infrastructure.
Hybrid Cloud
As its name implies, a hybrid cloud consists of a combination of a private and public cloud. Used when there´s a need to store private data on the private cloud, but need employees to access apps and resources.
A hybrid cloud helps companies achieve their objectives more effectively. It enables companies to choose the optimal cloud computing environment for each workload and move them between public and private clouds.
The principal advantages of a hybrid cloud are more control and flexibility compared to just a private or public cloud.
4-Types of cloud-based services
After knowing about the 4 types of cloud computing, there are 4 main types of cloud-based services related to them:
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
An IaaS is a type of cloud-computing service that offers users compute, storage, and networking resources. In this type of service model, the cloud provider is the one who hosts the infrastructure components. This consists of the hardware used, the storage, and the server.
Alongside those components, the providers also give some services to accompany them. The principal ones are security, log access, and storage flexibility (like backup and recovery).
Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS)
A PaaS is a development environment located in the cloud that allows you to make applications. In other words, the PaaS provider gives all the software and hardware necessary to develop and operate cloud-based applications. And they are provided via the Internet, VPN, or a dedicated network connection.
PaaS supports a web application life cycle (building, testing, deploying, managing, and updating.). It includes infrastructure like the IaaS (servers, storage, and networking), but it also has development tools, database management, and more.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
SaaS is a way of distributing centrally hosted applications over the internet like a service, providing a cloud application. The software providers host and sustain the servers, databases, code, and everything that composes the application. The SaaS is also known by other names such as web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software.
2 key factors make SaaS differ from any other on-premise software:
- They don´t require expensive hardware
- It´s paid on a subscription-like model
Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)
A FaaS allows the client to apply code in some events without the difficult infrastructure associated with it. It gives clients what they need to build, run, and manage app packages without having to maintain their infrastructure.
It´s a really valuable tool for developers who want to move applications to the cloud. Its main benefits are:
- They let the developer focus more on the code than the infrastructure
- You pay only when an action is performed, or when you use the resources, making it economical.
- FaaS offers high availability, spreading over various areas allowing it to be installed without incrementing the costs.
5- Benefits of Cloud-based services
Knowing what are cloud-based services and their types, you need to know the benefits that they bring. The main benefits that cloud-based services have are:
Cost savings
When you are in the cloud, easy access to your data will let you save money for future projects. There´s also the pay-as-you-go system, which lets you save money for features you aren´t using or don´t want.
Security
Security may seem like a problem when it comes to using a cloud-computing solution since there´s the concern of a cyber-attack. However, there´s more to it than it seems at first glance. That is because a clouds host´s full-time job is to monitor the security of your data, being efficient with it.
It´s also of concern that a lot of data theft occurs internally by a company´s own employees. This makes it so a cloud-based service is safer for companies since it keeps the data offsite.
Flexibility
A cloud-based service given by a 3rd party or a provider allows more flexibility in comparison to a local server host. That is because it prevents the client from having to pay much attention to its data storage. So letting the provider take care of that makes it possible for the customer to take care of other matters related to their business.
Mobility
With mobility, we refer to the fact that a lot of devices can access the cloud, like a phone or a computer. That allows an employee to access the information through their device. Knowing this makes anyone able to keep up with the information, and be up to date
This benefit, in particular, helps freelancers, remote workers, and employees who travel to achieve a better work balance.
Increased Collaboration
It´s already well known that cloud-based services allow employees to keep up to date with all the information. That factor is also included in this benefit. Cloud-based services make workers able to communicate between themselves more easily, making a team, work as one.
Disaster Recovery
Nowadays, a simple error or a single moment of downtime can cause some bad penalties for the company. And more often than not, those situations will occur because of something being out of your control.
However, Cloud-based services provide quick data recovery for those kinds of situations, making it safer for you and your business.
6- How can Connectech help you get more information on cloud-based services
As said at the start of this article, the world is evolving technologically at a really fast pace. That´s why is best for companies to start working on these topics since that´s where the market is heading.
Therefore, in these situations, it´s better to have a partner alongside you that helps you with those problems. With over 20 years of experience on the market, Connectech is the best partner you could choose for cloud-based services. Let us do the tedious work for you and guide you towards your progress.
Want to contact Connectech to know more about cloud-based services and everything about them? If you have any questions, feel free to call us on +971 433 16 688. Or contact us via email at info@connectech.dev, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will gladly answer your questions.
