Benefits of cloud services. What is cloud computing and why is it needed

With the increase in Internet connection speeds, services that provide ubiquitous and convenient network access to various computing resources and data storage devices are gaining more and more popularity. In this article, you will learn what cloud computing is and what opportunities it provides to users.

Introduction

Initially, the name "cloud", computer systems were due to a completely innocent simplification invented by programmers-mathematicians. They proposed to designate all computers that are part of the same network as a cloud with data displayed inside it. In this case, each computer is not considered as an independent unit, but is part of the whole. By the whole is meant that area of ​​the system that is directly involved in working with the user. Thus, all network resources available to us through servers, in fact, can be called a "cloud".

Cloud storage services

The most popular "cloud" systems have received due to the development of services that allow you to store files not in computer memory, but in a specially created online storage. Similar functionality provided users with unprecedented freedom of choice, because all files stored in the cloud are available to the owner at any time and from any device connected to the Internet. Among other things, in this case, there is no need to store data on local drives, which can save time (for downloading information, etc.) and user funds.

Same way cloud services can be used as backup storage for personal data. In case of failure hard drive your computer, you can always return all the necessary information previously stored in the clouds.

Cloud storage can be used no less effectively for synchronizing data between different computer devices. For example, you can make changes to a file on your work computer and be sure that any corrections you make will be made to all copies of it stored on other devices that are synchronized with the cloud service.

The most popular cloud file storages include: Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Microsoft SkyDrive, Dropbox, iCloud and others. Almost all of them, after registration, provide users with a certain amount of free space for storing files (usually from 5 GB to 10 GB). If this seems not enough, then for an additional fee you can organize storage with a capacity of 20 GB to several tens of terabytes.

Cloud Software Services

However, the importance of cloud computing and its capabilities is difficult to assess only as a universal file storage, because the scope of their application is much wider. For example, some cloud services, such as Zoho Docs or Google Docs, already now provide the ability to store not only files, but also a variety of applications.

The benefits for the creators of such services are quite obvious. The developer company gets unlimited opportunities to implement its own software products, while there is no need even for the actual transfer of the program itself to the user, it is stored and hosted within the cloud. That is why the risk of hacker attacks is minimized, and the technical support service of the program gets the opportunity to continuously monitor its work, ensuring stability and ease of use.

Cloud hosting allows developers to control the legality of data entering the server, so the risk of distribution and use of illegally produced or simply counterfeit software is dramatically reduced. We don't think it's worth pointing out the dangers lurking in such "downloadable" files. With them in the kit you can get anything you want: from a fresh Trojan to something worse. That is why it is so important to control the origin of files entering the "cloud" storage.

One of the brightest representatives of cloud programs is the office suite. Microsoft office 365. Including all the most popular office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and so on, it provides access to your documents from anywhere where there is Internet access and allows you to work on them from the most different devices, even on which it is not installed Office package. In addition, users get the opportunity to collaborate on documents, share instant messaging and not worry about the security of your own data.

Cloud service models

In fact, all "cloud" systems available to the modern user can be divided into four categories. The first includes the proposal own developments Software to all interested users. At the same time, the programs themselves are permanently placed on the developers' websites and are available only through a network connection. This category of systems is denoted by the abbreviation SaaS (software as a service) and is available as Adobe online services, Google Docs, Microsoft Office Live Workspase, and some others. Thus, you can not buy expensive software, but use it on a rental basis for the required time.

The second service model is called PaaS(platform as a service) and provides users with access to the cloud to use various information platforms: operating systems, development and testing tools, database management systems, and others. At the same time, consumers can not only operate the selected platforms, but also install their own software to work on them. For example, this way you can try some new software environment without installing it on your own PC.

The third category of services proposes to move all the tools necessary for work, including the desktop itself, inside the "cloud", thus providing users with ready-made workplaces that can be accessed from anywhere where there is an Internet connection. Such systems are united by the name DaaS(desktop as a service). There can be two options for hosting and displaying such a service: either direct access to all used applications, or access to links to them. In any case, all work is carried out only through the browser, and it is impossible to use applications outside of it.

To date, DaaS technology is considered a promising cloud direction and allows you to deploy a full-fledged workplace, ready to work around the clock with all the necessary software. At the same time, all applications are stored in a special data center, which allows you to effectively use this tool even on low-power computers, laptops, tablets and even smartphones.

Latest service model IaaS(infrastructure as a service) allows users to independently manage cloud resources by renting them as hardware (servers, client systems, network hardware and so on), and Operating Systems and required application software. For the most part, this technology is used by corporate clients to create their own cloud computing service.

Disadvantages and advantages of cloud services

Despite quite a few good points in the use of cloud services, it is worth noting certain disadvantages when working with them. Not the most pleasant fact for the user is the news that all his data placed in one or another "cloud" is practically freely available to law enforcement agencies of various levels (upon request, while no one is obliged to notify you about requesting data), as well as software developers of the service. That is, if you want to know the maximum information about you, including from personal correspondence or photo / video files stored in the cloud, any person who has shown interest in this and has certain powers will be able to. There is only one way to avoid such an unwanted intrusion - to abandon the "cloud" in favor of local connection through the software available on the computer itself.

An even greater danger is fraught with a "cloud" service that does not have sufficiently reliable protection against hacking. In this case, after making hacker attack your data can not only fall into the wrong hands, but be completely destroyed.

For dessert, we add that in addition to accessing your information stored in the "cloud", a particularly successful cracker will be able to get as a bonus the ability to control the operation of your computer or computers (if there are several), and this can already entail much more serious consequences.

So let's recap. Advantages of using cloud services:

• Use of software of legal origin;
• The ability to log into the system and access personal data from any device connected to the Internet;
• Ability to organize backup data storage;
• Synchronization of data on all your devices;
• Small requirements for the initial software and hardware of devices for working in cloud services;
• Ability to use complex software systems on low power equipment.

• Inability to control access to stored data of third parties;
• The need to establish an Internet connection with the service every time you need to access files or applications;
• The need to use the services and offers of a certain developer who owns the service;
• The need for regular payment for some cloud services and services.

Conclusion

Use "cloud" services or leave for yourself the opportunity to work using a regular desktop and computer file storage system - everyone decides for himself. However, in our age, when only a very naive person relies on the security of an Internet connection, the risks of using such innovative developments sometimes exceed the benefits. It is worth considering which of the following is more important for you: the freedom to access files, the ability to remotely store applications and tools used in the work, or the security of data, which can sometimes be very personal. And only if the benefits outweigh the risks, should you choose the "cloud" as an alternative solution to the problem of information storage.

In modern world Information Technology the main criterion for their selection is mobility. It is important for people to have access to their data from anywhere in the world and be sure of their safety. Especially when it comes to video surveillance. Local video surveillance is being replaced by cloud services.

Video surveillance, as a cloud-based service, is a model that allows you to work with video by connecting to servers remotely via the Internet. Control and management of servers and communication channels is carried out by companies - organizers of the cloud service.

Cloud video surveillance is video surveillance over the Internet that allows you to save, view, analyze and combine geographically scattered cameras into one system and manage access to their video archives.

Currently available on the market two main types cloud solutions in the field of video surveillance:

• Service based on the equipment of the manufacturer of IP-cameras;
• Universal service from developers of cloud solutions.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Service based on the equipment of the manufacturer of IP cameras

With this type of service, the cloud is developed by camera manufacturers and works only with their devices. To connect to the cloud using this model, the user needs to buy a special "smart" camera and simply plug it into the network. The camera will automatically establish a connection with the service and register in personal account user.

For service providers based on IP camera manufacturer equipment, there are two nuances that need to be considered:

• First, this limited choice of camera models and dependence on the equipment supplier. For example, a change in price can significantly affect the final amount of the purchase, especially if the user needs to install video surveillance in several places at once.
• Secondly, most representatives of this type have speed limit(cloud performance is limited by the functionality of the camera), which is the reason Low quality Images.

One-stop service from cloud developers

This group includes cloud services that are provided by developer companies directly to users. Those, in turn, can choose from a variety of solutions - IP cameras from different manufacturers. To start using it, you just need to connect the camera to the cloud video surveillance service, register in the system and get started.

This type of service allows you to build video surveillance systems from cameras from different manufacturers and is suitable for both small objects that do not require complex solutions, and large-scale projects. All development companies have basically the same set of features, their offerings differ only tariff plans, the degree of reliability of systems, as well as ease of connection and operation.

Key Benefits of Cloud Video Surveillance

• Simplification of access to the camera and archive. The operation of the video surveillance system does not require either a static IP address or a specific network setting, and you can view online video and archive from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection.

• Ensuring the security of data storage. Video is stored on powerful servers in geographically distributed data centers. In addition, all traffic is fully encrypted by a specialized processor in accordance with the SSL standard, which is used in banking transactions. In the cloud archive, data is duplicated on servers in different data centers, and in the event of a malfunction on one of the servers, it will not be lost. Also, there will be no problems with running out of disk space: all videos will be saved.

• Getting more features. Also, cloud video storage has a useful set of functions, for example, the ability to transfer video access rights to other users of the service. The service can also offer prompt push and email notifications about sound and movement in the surveillance area, as well as video analytics of camera status.

• Possibility of organizing territorially remote video systems. Cameras that are located in different parts of the world are easily combined in one personal user account, thereby ensuring the convenience of managing and operating the system. Some services even allow you to place objects on the GoogleMaps map and thereby visualize their location.

• No capital costs. Data center storage services enable companies to reduce capital investments and operating costs, so no additional costs for maintenance and service of servers. The fee is charged only for the storage of the cloud archive.

Summing up, I would like to say that cloud video surveillance is an effective tool that can optimize many areas of our lives.

And again, hello, dear readers! :) Let's talk about cloud technologies.

Tobish, today another note will be entirely devoted to a very entertaining and promising technology (so to speak, the "gold mine" of the IT industry), hiding under the pseudonym - cloud technologies or in common people - "cloud".

We will talk about the very concept of cloud computing, give a variety of examples of its implementation (at the level of solutions for ordinary users), namely, we will talk about the theory, then we will smoothly move on to practice and a little .. soar in the clouds :-)

Thus, the purpose of our note, as always, is good (it cannot be otherwise) - to systematize the basic information related to this topic and sort everything out.

So, Earthlings, get ready, now we will talk about cloud technologies, which, every day, are getting closer and closer to us.

We flew..

Cloud technologies. About everything, little by little

In recent years, this topic has become one of the most popular in the IT field, many articles have been written about it, more large quantity conferences, and how many solutions already exist on the market (and are fully used by us in Everyday life, sometimes even unconsciously), and cannot be counted at all.

However, as always, there is one "but", namely, most of the users still do not know what kind of "know-how" cloud technologies are and why they gave up at all. Well, we will correct the situation and we will start, as expected, with theory.

Cloud computing (cloud computing) is a distributed data processing technology in which computer resources and capacities are provided to the user as an Internet service. If you explain in plain language, then - this is your, in a sense, a working platform on the Internet, or rather on remote server.

Let's look at an example to make sure that almost every one of us, one way or another, has already come across this solution.

You have Email(e-mail)? Of course have. So, if you work with mail on some service site (for example,) that allows you to use this mail, then this is nothing more than a cloud service, which is part of such a thing as cloud technologies. Or, for example, image processing.

If you downsize, flip your photo in Photoshop or other special program, then you have nothing to do with cloud technology - everything happens and is processed locally on your computer. But if, having loaded an image, for example, through, you process it on the other side, that is, in the browser, then this is the very "cloud".

More details about cloud technologies

Actually, the whole difference lies solely in the method of storing and processing data. If all operations take place on your computer (using its capacities), then this is not a "cloud", and if the process takes place on a server on the network, then this is exactly the trendy contraption that is commonly called "cloud technology".

In other words, cloud technologies are various hardware, software, methodologies and tools that are provided to the user as Internet services to achieve their goals, objectives, projects.

As practice shows, the terms "cloud technologies" / "cloud service", with their generally accepted graphical representation, in the form of "clouds", only confuses users, in fact, their structure can be easily understood if you imagine it in the form of the following pyramid.

The base of the infrastructure pyramid is a set of physical devices(servers, etc.), a “platform” is built above it - a set of services and a top - software available at the request of users.

Also, you should know that cloud computing is a certain basis vector obtained as a result of the synthesis of a number of technologies and approaches (in a wiser! :-)). To make it clear what I mean, I will give the following diagram:

I think that now it has become a little clearer, since the scheme is quite simple. However, speaking generally, cloud technologies are such a kind of mess that performs calculations by servers and other things without directly involving the resources of your computer.

It may turn out that we will all return to computers that are close in power to, so to speak, the first and, in fact, will be just a screen with a microprocessor, and all calculations and capacities will be located and performed remotely, i.e. in somewhere there living servers, namely, in the cloud mentioned repeatedly.

Services provided by cloud systems

Everything related to cloud computing (hereinafter SS) is usually called the word aaS. It stands for simply - "as a service", that is, "as a service", or "in the form of a service".

Currently, cloud technologies and, in fact, their concept, involves the provision of the following types of services to its users:

• Storage-as-a-Service ("storage as a service")
  This is perhaps the simplest of the CC services, which is a disk space on demand. Each of us has ever encountered a situation where an ominous warning appeared on the monitor: " The logical disk is full, to free up space, delete unnecessary programs or data". The Storage-as-a-Service service makes it possible to save data in external storage, in the "cloud". For you, it will look like an additional logical drive or folder. The service is basic for the rest, since it is part of almost every other similar services can serve as an example.
• Database-as-a-Service ("database as a service")
  Here it is rather more for admins, because this thing provides the ability to work with databases, as if the DBMS was installed on a local resource. Moreover, in this case it is much easier to "share" projects between different performers, not to mention how much money you can save on and required for the competent use of the DBMS in a large or even medium-sized organization.
• Information-as-a-Service ("information as a service")
  It gives you the ability to remotely use any kind of information that can change every minute or even every second.
• Process-as-a-Service ("Process Management as a Service")
  Represents a remote resource that can link together multiple resources (such as services or data contained within the same "cloud" or other available "clouds") to create a single business process.
• Application-as-a-Service ("application as a service")
  It may also be called Software-as-a-Service ("software as a service"). It is positioned as "software on demand" that is deployed on remote servers and each user can access it via the Internet, and all updates and licenses for this software are regulated by the provider of this service. Payment, in this case, is made for the actual use of the latter. Examples include Google Docs, Google Calendar, etc. online programs.
• Platform-as-a-Service ("platform as a service")
  The user is provided with a computer platform with an installed operating system and some software.
• Integration-as-a-Service ("integration as a service")
  This is an opportunity to receive from the "cloud" a complete integration package, including software interfaces between applications and managing their algorithms. This includes known services and features of Enterprise Application Centralization, Optimization, and Integration (EAI ) packages, but provided as a "cloud" service.
• Security-as-a-Service ("security as a service")
  This type of service enables users to quickly deploy products that provide safe use web technologies, email, local network which allows users this service save on deploying and maintaining your own .
• Management/Governance-as-a-Service("administration and management as a service")
  Provides the ability to manage and set the operation parameters of one or many "cloud" services. These are mainly parameters such as topology, resource usage, virtualization.
• Infrastructure-as-a-Service ("infrastructure as a service")
  The user is provided with a computer infrastructure, usually virtual platforms(computers) connected in a network, which he independently configures for his own purposes.
• Testing-as-a-Service ("testing as a service")
  Provides the ability to test local or "cloud" systems using test software from the "cloud" (no hardware or software required in the enterprise).

For clarity, let's summarize all these services of the "cloud" architecture, in one scheme behind which cloud technologies are hidden (sorry, in English):

On which the classification of services is given, by type of service.

Now let's look at what cloud technologies are, so to speak, according to the form of ownership. Here, there are three categories:

• public
• Private
• Hybrid.

Briefly for each:

• public cloud IT infrastructure is used simultaneously by many companies and services. Users do not have the ability to manage and maintain this "cloud", and all responsibility for these issues rests with the owner of the resource. Any company and individual user can become a subscriber of the offered services.
  Examples are online services: Amazon EC2, Google Apps/Docs, Microsoft Office Web.
• A private cloud is a secure IT infrastructure controlled and operated by a single organization. An organization can manage the private cloud itself or outsource this task to an external contractor. The infrastructure can be hosted either on the premises of the customer or at an external operator (or partly at the customer and partly at the operator).
• hybrid cloud is an IT infrastructure that uses best qualities public and private clouds when solving the task. Often this type is used when an organization has seasonal periods of activity, in other words, as soon as the internal IT infrastructure can not cope with current tasks, part of the capacity is transferred to the public "cloud" (for example, large amounts of statistical information), as well as to provide access to users to enterprise resources through the public cloud.

Confused? Nothing, we will soon analyze the examples and everything will fall into place;)

Cloud Computing Opportunities

Now consider the possibilities of cloud computing:

• Access to personal information from any computer connected to the Internet
• You can work with information from different devices (PCs, tablets, phones, etc.)
• It doesn't matter what operating system you prefer to work in - web services work in the browser of any operating system
• One and the same information, both you and others, can be viewed and edited simultaneously from different devices
• Many paid programs became free (or cheaper) web applications
• If something happens to your device (PC, tablet, phone), then you will not lose important information, since it is no longer stored in the device memory
• Always at hand fresh and updated information
• You always use latest version programs and at the same time do not need to monitor the release of updates
• You can combine your information with other users
• You can easily share information with loved ones or with people from anywhere in the world.

There are plenty of opportunities, however, there are also disadvantages (where without them), which should also be mentioned.

"Fly in the ointment" - disadvantages:

• The need for a permanent connection.
  To access the services of the "cloud" you need a permanent connection to the Internet
• Software and its "customization".
  There are restrictions on software that can be deployed on the "clouds" and provide it to the user. The user has limitations in the software used and sometimes does not have the ability to customize it for his own purposes
• Confidentiality.
  The confidentiality of data stored in public clouds is currently controversial, but in most cases, experts agree that it is not recommended to store the most valuable documents for a company on a public cloud, since there is currently no technology to which would guarantee 100% data confidentiality
• Safety.
  The "cloud" itself is enough reliable system, however, when infiltrating it, the attacker gains access to a huge data warehouse. Another disadvantage is the use of systems in which, as a hypervisor, the kernels of standard operating systems (for example, Windows) are used, which allows the use of viruses and system vulnerabilities
• The high cost of equipment.
  To build your own cloud, you need to allocate significant material resources, which is not beneficial for newly created and small companies
• Further monetization of the resource.
  It is possible that companies will decide in the future to charge users for the services they provide.

As you can see, there are two sides of the coin. However, this does not harm the development of technology, and maybe even spurs it on.

Cloud technologies - a view from the user's side. Solution Overview

We have come to perhaps the most interesting (and so beloved by many readers) part of the article - examples and, so to speak, practice. Here we will consider what solutions, services, programs already exist on the market and what you should pay attention to. Let's start with services:

• iCloud
  Apple's iCloud cloud service (replacing MobileMe), fully automatic and free (albeit with slight functional limitations). It stores your various content (mail, calendar, contacts, documents, music, videos and images, etc.) on servers, and then delivers it to all devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and PC) using wireless technology push.
• Google Play
  A fresh cloud service called Google Play from the "corporation of good", which is designed to place users of movies, music, applications and books on servers specially designed for storing digital information. Access to the service is provided directly from the browser, regardless of the OS, and therefore can be carried out both from a PC and from mobile devices on the Android based. Each user has the opportunity to place and store up to 20 thousand music records for free, as well as directly download to the server purchased in stores (Android Market, Google Music and Google eBookstore) digital goods - movies, electronic books, programs, music tracks, both purchased and rented.
• OnLive
  I think that everyone knows the service, since I already wrote about it. Provides the opportunity to play modern games even on the simplest and weakest computer. Technically, it looks like this: the game itself is located on a remote server and graphics are processed there, which is sent to the computer to the user already in a “ready” form. Simply put, those calculations that are performed during a normal game on a computer, etc., are already performed here on the server, and your computer is used only as a monitor that receives the final picture. If you do not understand, then all this means that all problems with computer performance and the number of free space on your hard drive, you don't even need to install it. In addition, there is no need to pay quite a lot of money immediately for a product (game, etc.) that you will not necessarily like. In addition, it is no secret that most games do not want to be played again, so it turns out that the cost of several hours (or even several days) of pleasure is unreasonably high. Much more convenient would be the option in which you would pay only for the time that you play. Or - you would pay some small fixed amount monthly, which would allow you to play any of the available games without restrictions. This is exactly what OnLive offers.
• Xbox Live
  Another notorious gaming service that also provides rich Internet functionality and is related to cloud technologies. The essence of the service is that the owners of the Xbox 360 and PDAs based on Windows phone 7 , can play with each other in computer games and chat, as well as buy add-ons and various multimedia content, in the online store. It turns out that the service creates a kind of virtual universe for gamers, the components of which are located not on end-user consoles, but in the cloud.

Thus, the last two services offer games as a service. Now let's imagine that we are not talking about games, but about software. That is, you pay not for the product as such (for a box with a disc), but for the specific functions/opportunities that it provides you. Interesting? Here's to me :)

Small note

And since we, as users, are most interested in software (and not all sorts of platforms as a service), now we will consider the “software landscape” (SaaS) of the clouds. In other words, let's list the most popular software solutions, which, within the framework of the concept of cloud technologies, in fact, now exist on the market.

Actually, according to the SaaS concept, as mentioned above, you do not pay at a time when buying a product, but as if renting it. Moreover, you use exactly those functions that you need (and, accordingly, pay for them). For example, once a year you need a certain program and you are not going to use it more often. So why buy a product that will lie idle?

And why waste space on it (in the apartment, if it's a box with a disk, or on a hard drive, if it's a file)? That's right, why not, because there is an alternative - free online service(providing the full functionality of this program).

Working with documents in the cloud

It was along this path that two headliners of the IT industry (and also competitors) went - Google and Microsoft. Both companies have released sets of services that allow you to work with documents.

From Google's side, these are their Google Docs (now Google Drive):

Free online office that includes a word processor, spreadsheet and "stray" for creating presentations, as well as an Internet service cloud file storage with file sharing features.

This is web-based software, that is, a program that runs within a web browser without installation on the user's computer, i.e. alternative version any Word, Excel, etc. without the need to purchase and all that. Documents and spreadsheets, user-created, are stored on special server Google or can be exported to a file.

This is one of the key advantages of the program, since the entered data can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet (while access is password protected).

From the Microsoft side, these are their Microsoft Office Web Apps:

Applications Microsoft Office Web Apps allow you to use the features of Microsoft Office through a web browser and work with documents (and not only view them, but also edit them) directly on the website on which they are stored.

Thus, documents look exactly the same in the browser as in Office programs, i.e. complete, so to speak, unification.

It is also worth noting that both services are closely interconnected with mail (Gmail in the first case and Hotmail in the second) and file storage, so to use Google Docs, it is enough to create a free Google account and you will receive a set of programs for working with texts, spreadsheets and so on, right in the browser. For many, Google Docs has completely replaced, as mentioned above, the paid MS Office.

To summarize (for these two services), we can say that the user is transferred from his usual offline environment to online.
We go further.

Cloud technologies and data storage

Cloud file storage is no less popular. The most famous repository is considered..

• Dropbox.
  You may have multiple computers, but with this cloud storage can be done shared folder with files for all your PCs and even smartphones. The most interesting thing is that you don’t have to do any special actions here, because the operating system itself will perceive the shared folder, like all other folders on the hard drive, and the dropbox will simply synchronize. The service allows you to store up to 2 GB of data for free. The main emphasis in it is on synchronization and information exchange. Dropbox keeps a history of downloads so that after deleting files from the server it is possible to restore data, plus a history of file changes is kept, which is available for the period of the last 30 days.
• Windows Live skydrive.
  The SkyDrive service allows you to save up to 7 GB (and you can share files up to 100 MB) of information in an organized way using standard folders form. For images, a preview mode is provided, as well as the ability to show them as slides. In addition to the fact that the service is integrated with Microsoft Office, it also supports the new operating system (more precisely, the SkyDrive client is built into Metro applications and allows you to upload documents and photos to the cloud in one click, open files from remote storage).
• And of course Google Drive. There will be a separate article about it.

By the way, not only all sorts of offices and file storages use cloud technologies. For example, in the camp of the fight against digital "evil spirits" they also relied on cloud computing. And here is the result - the free Panda Cloud Antivirus.

It is based on innovative technology"collective intelligence" (which automatically detects new threats in a minimum period of time) and allows you to minimize the impact of protection on computer system resources, using the computing power of cloud technologies for most operations: analysis, blocking and attempts to remove malware.

Antivirus servers use information from millions of Panda antivirus product users around the world to automatically detect and classify new species. malware appearing every day.

In a nutshell, something like this, although there are still a lot of services that could be told about, but then you have to write a volume of War and Peace :)
So let's get to the bottom line.

Cloud technologies. Cloudy or clear?

Quite simply, the cloud is an opportunity to always have guaranteed and secure access to all your personal information, as well as avoiding the need to keep a lot of extra things in your pocket (any flash drives, disks, wires, and all that other stuff) or buy a new computer/components / programs / games, etc. There is no doubt that at the moment, cloud technologies are one of the most popular and interesting topics in the IT field, and more and more interesting solutions that appear in the world are associated with them.

Of course, ordinary user it is still difficult to fully appreciate (and reveal) their full potential, but what it is is visible to the naked eye.

Thus, without a doubt, the future of cloud technologies seems to be very bright, because such giants (Microsoft, Apple and Google) just don’t do anything for sure and it’s completely clear that if they have already entered this uncharted territory, they are clearly not going to her to leave, because two years ago the concept of "cloud" seemed only nice idea and a bold experiment, and today even those people who are not connected with software development, web technologies and other highly specialized things (the above-mentioned Xbox Live, Windows Live, OnLive, Google Docs are prime examples of this).

Afterword

Something like that. I hope that the information was interesting, useful and exciting for you. Stay with the project - you are always welcome here;)

As usual, if you have questions, additions, and other differences, then comments are at your service.

PS : For the existence of this article, thanks to a member of the team 25 FRAME

Advantages of "cloud" technologies

The main benefits are:

· Resource pools. In a private cloud, all resources are pooled, which makes it possible to achieve high efficiency of their use and scalability when allocating resources for specific tasks. By distributing resources from a common pool across multiple tasks and business units, the IT department can increase the efficient utilization of available resources.

· Elasticity. After pooling resources, the IT service has the opportunity to automatically increase and decrease the amount of resources allocated for a specific task. In fact, this allows you to quickly scale services to meet your business needs.

· Self-service. When requesting, configuring, and managing IT services, service providers and consumers use an interactive portal or system designed to automatically provision resources.

· Absolute control. A private cloud is built around the resources your organization has. This means that you have absolute control over all aspects of the architecture and processes that take place in your cloud.

Let's take a look at the benefits of the cloud using the example of a private cloud built on the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 platform with support for the Windows Server ActiveDirectory identity system, Hyper-V virtualization, and deep application intelligence with SystemCenter. Such a "cloud" is a convenient solution for the implementation of a private "cloud" in the enterprise.

Microsoft Private Cloud performs the following tasks:

· Helps focus on key business points through application service management;

· Allows you to manage the hybrid "cloud" model through common management tools, identity and development in private and public clouds;

· Provides the scalability and flexibility of a cloud-based computing model on existing resources, and at the same time allows you to save full control over infrastructure;

· Works on different platforms and with different low-level "shells" (hypervisors), including Hyper-V, VMware and Citrix;

Provides maximum effective use existing investments and experience of IT staff.

Microsoft Private Cloud Benefits

Comprehensive virtualization platform

Improved scalability and performance

Integration with public "cloud" services

Continuous availability

Economic efficiency

management efficiency

Flexible development options - locally and in the cloud

Scalable and resilient infrastructure

· Open environment for developing standard and network applications

Access from any device, from anywhere in the world

Fully functional Windows environment at any time

Enhanced security and data protection

Cross-platform approach from start to finish

Microsoft's private cloud supports Microsoft and third-party hypervisors, operating systems, and development platforms to leverage existing skills and infrastructure investments.

Cloud solutions tailored to the needs of the organization

Microsoft helps you control applications wherever you choose to deploy them. Only Microsoft provides common management, identity, and development tools that operate in both the private cloud and the public Windows Azure cloud.

Best in class performance

In private cloud environments, more companies are using Microsoft virtualization technologies to deploy server applications such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft OfficeSharePoint Server, as well as packaged and custom business applications. Such customers receive significant benefits: optimal use resources, improved business continuity, more flexible and efficient management solution.

Server virtualization in Windows Server 2012

Hyper-V is a technology provided as a standalone product or an integrated Windows Server role; is a virtualization platform that will help you use "cloud" computing within your organization.

The Hyper-V virtualization role in Windows Server 2012 will help you increase server scalability and performance, and enable better interaction with cloud services.

More secure multi-tenant architecture

As virtualized data centers become more widespread, many IT organizations and hosting providers have begun offering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The IaaS model provides a flexible virtualized infrastructure - "server instances on demand" - for multiple organizations (tenants). Such solutions should provide security and be isolated from each other.

Hyper-V supports multitenancy and provides new security and isolation features; virtual machines remain isolated even if they are stored on the same physical network or on the same server. In addition, Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V's ExtensibleVirtualSwitch supports third-party extensions that improve networking and security. As a result, we get a turnkey solution that reduces the complexity of any virtual environment and reduces the requirements for it.

Flexible infrastructure

Flexibility is needed to simplify management and to access virtual network. The new network virtualization features in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V provide the ability to go beyond the VLAN implementation. A virtual machine can be placed on any host, regardless of its IP address - locally, on a server or in the "cloud" - the network infrastructure becomes truly invisible. Now the migration of virtual machines and virtual machine storage is carried out independently of each other and without restrictions, including outside the cluster environment.

Scale, performance and density

An enterprise needs to run the largest workloads in its virtualized environment. To help him out, in the current beta version of Windows Server Hyper-V provides support for up to 32 virtual processors and 1 terabyte (TB) of memory for Hyper-V guests and up to 4,000 virtual machines per cluster. Additional features: Accounting for showback scenarios (internal accounting) and chargeback (external clients), support for OffloadedDataTransfer technology, as well as improved service to meet minimum bandwidth requirements (even for network storage).

High availability

To ensure the availability of virtual machines - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or depending on the service level agreement - Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V offers turnkey solutions to help the enterprise meet its needs at no additional cost. Some of the features that improve availability include support for incremental backups, improved clustering environments with support for FiberChannelHyper-V virtual adapters in a virtual machine, parallel live migration, and new Hyper-V Replica features. Windows Server 2012 replicates virtual machines to another location and ensures that the workload is moved to another OU in the event of a primary hardware failure.

Flexible virtualization platform

Regardless of the specific stage life cycle IT, the enterprise must have multiple virtualization options. It may be starting to virtualize the first group of workloads to reduce IT costs. Perhaps trying to standardize or automate the environment to improve reliability and be able to respond more quickly to business needs. Or create a private cloud for flexibility - anywhere and anytime you need it.

A dynamic shared architecture allows you to scale and improve the reliability of workloads, including the creation of a private cloud.