Functionality and history about Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing: is a system that allows you to use IT services over the internet, without having to physically own computers, programs, or storage space. The history about Cloud Computing is intertwined with that of the Hybrid Cloud and the Multicloud
Instead of buying and installing everything in-house, organizations can “rent” servers to run programs, space to store data, software to work, and tools to analyze information. All of this is provided as an online service.
Cloud Computing is considered economically advantageous because it allows you to pay only for the services you actually use. This enables companies to save money and to easily increase or decrease services based on their current needs.
From a technical point of view, the Cloud is a network of many servers connected to each other and distributed in data centers scattered around the world.
FUNCTIONALITY
Cloud Computing is based on a network of servers located in dedicated data centers, such as those of the Italian National Strategic Hub.
To access these services, users only need an internet connection, so they can request access to programs or data, receiving a response from the server in a few milliseconds.
The cloud offers three main service models, each with a different level of control and flexibility, which can be used individually or combined to create complete solutions tailored to different needs:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides the basic components of IT infrastructure (virtual servers, storage, networks) over the internet, allowing you to pay only for what you use. Companies can thus avoid the initial costs and complexity of managing physical servers, easily adapting their infrastructure to their needs.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): This is a complete development environment that allows developers to create, test, and manage applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure maintenance. This simplifies work and speeds up the distribution of new software.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Provides software applications directly over the internet, usually with a subscription. This way you don’t have to install anything on your computer, saving on costs and management. Common examples are email services and collaboration platforms.
HISTORY
The evolution of cloud computing, from its theoretical origins to its current ubiquity, is a journey that began in the 1960s with pioneers John McCarthy and J.C.R. Licklider. McCarthy introduced key concepts like time-sharing and utility computing, theorizing the use of computational resources as a public service.
At the same time, Licklider envisioned a global network that could provide universal access to programs and data, laying the foundation for grid computing.
In the 1970s, virtualization represented a decisive turning point, with IBM virtual machines that allowed physical hardware to be emulated. This innovation greatly improved portability and security, paving the way for more flexible resource management.
In the 1990s, the advent of the web accelerated development, leading to the first formalization of the term “cloud computing” in 1996 by Compaq. The popularity of the term surpassed that of “grid computing,” thanks in part to pioneers like Salesforce, which introduced the Software as a Service (SaaS) model.
The 2000s marked the beginning of the modern cloud. Amazon Web Services (AWS), launched in 2002, institutionalized the cloud on an industrial scale, followed shortly after by Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Today, the cloud is a continuously evolving sector that offers a wide range of services and flexible pricing models.
HYBRID CLOUD E MULTICLOUD
The Hybrid Cloud constitutes a computational environment that integrates an organization’s on-premise private cloud services with public cloud services provided by third parties, creating a unified and flexible infrastructure. This hybrid configuration of public and private cloud resources optimizes the selection of the most appropriate cloud environment for specific applications and workloads.
The hybrid architecture also allows for the dynamic migration of workloads between different cloud environments in response to changing operational conditions. Through a hybrid cloud infrastructure, technical and strategic objectives are achieved more effectively and with greater economic efficiency than what is obtainable through the exclusive use of public or private cloud.
The Multicloud paradigm represents a further evolution, allowing organizations to simultaneously use two or more cloud platforms provided by different providers. This type of cloud computing can include any combination of IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS resources. In the multicloud model, workloads can be distributed across various cloud environments to meet specific performance, compliance, or cost requirements.
This approach also allows organizations to avoid vendor lock-in, maintaining strategic flexibility in selecting and managing cloud service providers.
