Here are five characteristics to make a short definition of Cloud Computing, according to the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

• A Self-Service on Demand: The user can reserve or unilaterally release the resources according to his needs without requiring any human interaction with the supplier.

• A large Access to the Network: The resources are accessible through a network through standard mechanisms and from different client platforms.

• Pooling Resources: The resources of the supplier may be in different data centers around the world. They are pooled to serve all users. They are generally unaware of the exact geographical location of the resources which they are using.

• A quick Elasticity: Resources can be booked quickly to meet the growing needs of the user and be released just as quickly as needs decrease.

• Measuring and billing the use: The use of resources can be monitored, controlled and reported. Users are charged based on the use of resources.

• Paying according to what you consume: Companies only pay for resources - processor, storage, network - which they use according to their actual consumption. It is a completely new approach for young computer scientists.

Related article:

• "TioLive Grid": TioLive innovates and creates a Distributed Cloud Computing Model, April, 22nd 2010

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