Cloud computing can be a reality somehow difficult to understand -in particular for people who are not computer scientists. Here are some points to apprehend better the notion of Cloud Computing.

There are currently 3 models of Cloud Services :

• The Software as a Service (SaaS): The user uses an application hosted in the provider's Cloud. The applications are accessible from any client terminal via a Web browser. The user does not manage or control any of the computing resources (network, servers, operating system, storage) except some specific settings.

• The Platform as a Service (PaaS): The user can develop its own applications using the programming languages and tools available on the provider's cloud which hosts the applications developed. The user does not manage or control the computing resources (networks, servers, operating system, storage) but he may control the deployment of applications and the hosting configurations.

• The Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The user manages and uses virtual systems hosted in the provider's cloud. It may be on a single virtual server or on a complex virtual infrastructure, including servers, network segments, firewalls, operating systems, applications, etc. The user does not control the infrastructure made available by the provider but he partially manages operating systems, storage, application deployment and some network elements.

Related Articles

• Five points to understand better what is Cloud Computing, June, 4th 2010
• The Limits of Cloud Computing: a Barrier to Adoption?, April, 2nd 2010
• The Free Cloud Alliance involves in Open Source Cloud Computing, March, 31st 2010

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