Cloud computing is a hot topic in today’s business world. Even so, its meaning is often lost in the hype. What is cloud computing? How does it work? Does it have marked advantages over traditional computing and dedicated hosting counterparts? If so, what are they? Is cloud hosting secure?

Cloud computing is hardly a new idea. Most computer users, including business users, utilise some form of web-based service. Google Documents, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or any other web-based email, document service, or project management application is a form of cloud computing. The word cloud is a metaphor that represents a virtual hosting environment that is outsourced off-site. Computer infrastructure, platform, and software programs are administered entirely through partnership with a cloud hosting company and each service is accessed through an internet portal. In theory, an entire business enterprise could use cloud hosting for all of its computer functions, including software programs, preferred operating systems, and technological infrastructures.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Developing applications and making them available requires a platform on which to build the application. The platform is the underlying operating system on which a program or application runs. Applications may require a specific platform, such as Windows or Linux, or may be designed as cross-platform, performing well with several different platforms. Either way, before applications are developed, the platform must be chosen. Historically, developers were forced to begin the application development process by building the required platform before moving on to application development. PaaS removes the necessity of building the platform by providing a ready-built operating system. Because the platform is already in place, developers move right into rapidly developing applications, saving hours of time typically spent in building the required platform.

An in-house platform not only requires additional developer time, it necessitates the need for large expenditures for the purchase of computer hardware, upgrading equipment, customising platforms, implementing security measures, and overall maintenance. Comparatively, PaaS practically eliminates the need for an in-house structure. PaaS cloud hosting vendors provide the computer resources and are responsible for upgrading, security, patching, and maintaining the platform itself.

In-house platforms often require the purchase of highly specialised computer resources that may be used one time. In contrast, a partnership with a PaaS cloud hosting vendor gives business users the option of utilising only the resources they need when they need them. PaaS is easily scaled up when needed and back as required. The PaaS cloud hosting fee structure is based on a pay-as-you-go model. Businesses pay only for the resources used. PaaS is the ideal solution for developing applications. PaaS is not a standalone service, however. It requires an underlying foundation of servers and networking called the IT infrastructure.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

An in-house infrastructure is generally one of the most complicated and costly of business necessities. Purchasing server equipment, networking, running cables, staying up-to-date, patching, implementing security, and staff training are on-going expenses. In the cloud computing environment, all of these functions are the responsibility of the vendor.

IaaS Advantages include:

• Automation and Virtualisation: By outsourcing its infrastructure to an IaaS cloud hosting partner, a business can take full advantage of a high level of automation and virtualisation. Features may be turned on or off as required. Every aspect of the underlying infrastructure is administered and maintained by the cloud host vendor.
• Reliability: The cloud structure, with its redundant underlying layers of computer resources, means that patching and upgrading are completed with no downtime, unlike the traditional in-house infrastructure.
• No Downtime: Because of the multiple layers of resources, another cloud computing benefit is that the loss of one system resource no longer means that the entire infrastructure goes down; another simply steps in to take its place.
• Advanced Scaling: Dynamic scaling ensures that the infrastructure instantly meets the demands of high usage and scales back as usage returns to normal.
• Rapid, Cost-Effective Start-Up: New businesses or those with small IT budgets find that the low initial cost and set-up is an ideal cost-saving measure. Large equipment and foundation purchases are not required. Rapid start-up is possible because the infrastructure is already in place.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is a means in which software programs, such as those for Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Web customer management, IT service management, email, human resources, video conferencing, word processing, and inventory management programs, are delivered on the cloud, accessed through the internet.

Conventional ways of using software consist of purchasing the required number of licenses and installing programs on individual machines. Security patches, installations, and upgrades are performed by an in-house IT staff. Owning and maintaining software places a heavy financial burden on businesses. SaaS removes much of that burden as it adds powerful advantages.

SaaS offers a plug-in and use solution. Available through a SaaS cloud hosting partner, SaaS provides instant access to programs, without the time-consuming in-house installations. In contrast with most in-house software programs, SaaS gives users the ability to access software from anywhere through an internet portal. Software is readily available, resources are pooled during usage spikes, and customers and company users have access any time of the day or night.

Consider the following advantages:

• Reliable: SaaS is reliable because it relies on the redundant resources inherent in cloud hosting. In the traditional in-house set-up, if one part of the system fails, the entire infrastructure could collapse. In most cases, downtime means loss of sales, added IT expenses, and may ultimately affect the bottom-line.
• Customisation: Cloud hosting vendors use easy to understand web portals that allow administrators to set user access, add or remove features, and easily customise services to fit their needs at any given time.
• Redundant Resources: The cloud hosting environment provides additional resources on-the-fly, with no slow or down-time due to heavier than normal usage.

Cloud Hosting and Security

Cloud hosting is not without its detractors. The most common concerns revolve around security. The perception is that data is more secure in an in-house infrastructure than in a virtual environment. Is that really the case?

Internal IT staff must run a constant vigil, immediately installing security patches, upgrading virus software, and quickly managing security breaches. Security with an in-house infrastructure is not a given and is subject to human error. Many of these in-house security procedures cause significant system downtime as well. Cloud hosting vendors deal with many of the same security challenges, but have gone to great lengths to ensure that data remains protected with no downtime.

Reputable UK data centres employ a variety of methods to secure cloud hosting services. These typically include:

• 24/7 security monitoring
• Redundant firewalls
• Sophisticated intrusion detection systems
• Anti-virus software
• Intelligent backup

Levels of security vary with the type of cloud hosting used. The most common types of cloud hosting offered are private, public, hybrid, and dedicated.

Consider the differences:

• Public Cloud Hosting: Public hosting is where resources are shared among users. Public cloud hosting is less expensive than other types, but the fact that multiple users are involved makes security more difficult and less than optimum for protecting sensitive data.
• Private Cloud Hosting: Private hosting places the infrastructure in a closed internal environment where all resources are completely dedicated to a single user. The private cloud environment is of higher security, provides more flexibility, and increased scalability. Private cloud hosting is ideal for businesses that demand a high rate of data security and/or always-on availability.
• Hybrid Cloud Hosting: As its name implies, hybrid cloud computing is a mix of public cloud solutions and private cloud services. Businesses save money by using a public cloud for less sensitive applications like email and the private cloud for highly sensitive critical, personal, and financial data.
• Dedicated Cloud Hosting: Dedicated hosting is essentially a private cloud infrastructure built upon dedicated hardware. Nothing is shared, including hardware, in a dedicated hosting environment.

Why Choose Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting enables businesses to spend more time on the core business and less time on computer resources. Cloud computing gives business administrators immediate control over a variety of business functions without taking time and spending money on the hardware, software, and platform infrastructure to make it work.

Take note of the following cloud hosting advantages:

• Availability, Scalability and Redundancy: Highly automated, ready to use, and built on redundant layers, cloud hosting ensures availability as well as the ability to scale resources up or down in a matter of seconds.
• Resource Optimisation: Cloud hosting reduces the common problem of under-utilisation and non-utilisation of infrastructure, platform, and software resources. IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are each charged on a per-unit basis. Businesses pay less when fewer resources are used and more during peak periods.
• Mobility: Accessibility from any internet connection ensures maximum mobility.
• Reduces Carbon Footprint: Because cloud computing uses a virtual infrastructure, it greatly reduces the need to dispose of out-dated and irrelevant in-house equipment. A business’s carbon footprint can be drastically reduced.

With significantly reduced costs, cloud hosting offers greater control, reliability, flexibility, and accessibility than the traditional in-house infrastructure.

Contributor:

At the time of writing, Jonathon Linnell is an Internet Marketing Consultant for UKFast.net Ltd, a leading provider of managed cloud and dedicated hosting solutions. He has worked in both independent web agencies as well as industry leading internet service providers, supporting a vast amount of businesses and working in many different industries has given him a great insight in to how technology is affecting online behaviour and commerce.