Essay number 2 (Cloud computing)

Question 1

What is the structure of the essay?

Answer 1

Introduction:

• Define Cloud computing
• Core concepts (Virtualisation, multi-tenancy, web services.
• its services: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS
• Examples: Facebook and Google
• the cloud access types (private, public, community, hybrid and shadow)

Body:

• Firm against: Complex IT systems, incremental growth, fear of loss of control, security trust issues, fear of tied down to one provider,
• Firms for: easier due to size to adapt new changes, embraces its many benefits (levelling out playing field, chance to grow due to low prices, hand over responsibility and focus on core and new innovations)
• challenges faced: advanced hackers, legal and contractual issues, need to tighten security and improv bugs in order to be safe as possible

conclusion: summarise key points overall a service which is beneficial

Question 2

Define cloud computing

Answer 2

The delivery of on-demand computing resources—everything from applications to data centres — over the internet on a pay-for-use basis

Question 3

What are the core concepts of the cloud? (Marston et al. 2011)

Answer 3

1. Virtualisation; the technology that hides the physical characteristics of a computing platform from the user, an abstract emulated platform- (hidden from us) (PaaS)
2. Multi-tenancy: single instance of application can serve many customers. (SaaS)
3. Web services: software available over the internet e.g. client access through browser to serve applications, easiest form user interface. (SaaS

Question 4

What are the three main components of the cloud? (SPI)

Answer 4

IaaS: Infrastructure as as a service: access remote data centre, data, infrastructure for hardware, networking and software
PaaS (Platform as a service): applications are provided so people can develop amplifications to their businesses.
SaaS: Software as a service: available via the cloud, does not have to be installed and managed on client server. ex; dropbox, salesforce.com

Question 5

What are the cloud access types? (CHPP)

Answer 5

1. Private cloud: Developed for organisation, managed internally/externally, better for large ones.
2. Public Cloud: offer services shared amongst many tenants, useful for SME’s.
3. Community cloud: controlled/managed by organisations with similar objectives and characteristics.
4. Hybrid Cloud: Both private and public.
5. Shadow Cloud: using a number of un-approved websites applications.

Question 6

What are the benefits of cloud computing? (LCSS Oi! )

Answer 6

1. Lower costs and encourage start -up (pay for what you need so ideal for fluctuating demand)
2. Complexity: is handed over. firm can focus on core strengths
3. Speed: cloud solutions can be deployed very quickly
4. Scalability: peaks and troughs
5. offer new applications and services
6. innovation is particularly important for start ups
7. Consistent experience for international customers
8. ease of collaboration

Question 7

What are the advantages of cloud computing for businesses?

Answer 7

1. SME looking to expand overseas benefit.
2. Cuts IT costs, dramatically and speeds up operations
3. Affordable (Scalable, flexible and collaboration)
4. Ability to outsource hardware/software, saves time and money.
5. Develop products at faster rate (Speed)
6. Ensures businesses can connect and deliver first class service to all customers globally (every step)
7. Can host data in any location ( increases performance)

Question 8

Why have users embraced cloud computing more readily compared to organisations?

Answer 8

• Cost reduction
• easier to adopt to change for individuals but for businesses with large IT systems and computer based technologies up and running= change is long and complex
• advantage of outsourcing, more time to do other tasks and investing, saves time
• financial institutions are reluctant to the Cloud, due to holes in the model. Risk averse.
• gives small retailers power to open up shop front to the world

Question 9

What challenges does the cloud present? Security problems?

Answer 9

• Hackers become more sophisticated, exploit weakest point of entry
• legal and contractual issue
• reliability of loss of control
• security/disaster recovery
• loose everything if stop paying due to licensing

= Tighten security, make it as safe as possible to avoid hackers from breaking in, as all trust is in their hands

Question 10

What is the example of google in terms of how the cloud managed to fuck up?

Answer 10

the incident of data leaking of Apples iCloud, which leaked a large amount of personal photos from apple users, due to dictionary method attacks through such things as decrypting passwords.

Question 11

example of common cloud services?

Answer 11

is the consumer cloud service, Facebook and the enterprise service Google Drive