Cloud computing

Question 1

What is cloud computing

Answer 1

• The cloud’ refers to a number of resources, such as data storage and software applications, that are offered and delivered on demand to an organisation using the internet.
• This means organisations access their data and programs over the internet instead of accessing their own hard drive(s) locally.

Question 2

what is the cloud

Answer 2

Resources and storage hosted online; the cloud can be accessed on a global scale using any device that can connect to the internet

Question 3

What is File backup

Answer 3

A physical copy of a file stored in a secure location in case the original file gets lost, destroyed or corrupted

Question 4

Advantages of cloud computing

Answer 4

• Cost effective: the cost of providing software, maintenance and upgrades is cheaper than buying software licences for multiple users.
• Unlimited storage: there is a limit to the storage capacity when an organisation only uses their hard drives. In the cloud, there is unlimited storage capacity available.
• Software updates: automatic software updates are available, therefore there is no need for an organisation to spend time installing new software updates.
• Backup and recovery: data is backed up automatically at regular intervals, therefore there is no need for an organisation to have procedures in place for backing up data and recovering data in the event of a disaster.
• Greater accessibility to information: employees of an organisation can access their data anywhere, and from any device, as long as they have an internet connection.
• Reduction in carbon footprint: less technology is needed thus reducing the demand for electricity and a reduction in the organisation’s carbon footprint.

Question 5

Disadvantages of cloud computing

Answer 5

• Bandwidth limitations: cloud providers may only offer a limited bandwidth allowance and impose additional charges for greater bandwidth.
• Potential downtime: cloud computing is reliant on the internet. If the connection or a device, such as a router, fails then there is no access to the organisation’s resources.
• Security data can be at risk from hackers when using the internet.

Question 6

What is bandwidth

Answer 6

The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a fixed amount of time, measured in bits per second

Question 7

Impact of cloud computing on gaming

Answer 7

• Game developers are able to reduce their costs as they don’t need to pay high street shops to sell their games.
• Since the internet is global, game producers have the advantage of access to a much larger global customer base using the cloud, leading to increased sales and higher profits.
• Customers normally pay less for a game, as it can be purchased online.
• When a game is purchased it can be downloaded immediately.
• Using the cloud means that gamers do not need to continually purchase more up-to-date hardware as they have access to powerful game servers and game streaming using the internet.
• The cloud can support more complex visual effects, which are a feature of modern games, and provide additional storage for gamers.
• A drawback for the user is the possible limited broadband capacity that is not capable of streaming high quality.

Question 8

What is streaming

Answer 8

Process that allows video to be viewed on a website straight away, without having to wait for the full video to be downloaded

Question 9

Impact of cloud computing on file storage

Answer 9

• Cloud-based systems have a facility to store large data files on very powerful high-capacity cloud servers.
• Automatic saving of data files to the cloud takes place every few seconds, reducing the chance of losing data.
• Cloud providers ensure that data files are stored permanently online.

Question 10

Impact of cloud computing on file sharing

Answer 10

• Cloud technology allows users to collaborate and share files from anywhere in the world.
• Users can upload files to the cloud and share these with other users.
• The cloud allows employees from different parts of the world to collaborate as a team on the same project.
• Synchronisation means that when a user makes a change to a file this change will appear in the versions used by others.
• Google Docs is an example of file-sharing using the cloud.