Cloud and Cloud Computing

People often misunderstand what cloud computing is. There was some controversy after it came to light that Kamala Harris once said: "It's on your laptop, and it's then therefore up here in this cloud, that exists above us, right? It's no longer in a physical place", suggesting that she was ignorant of what cloud computing is exactly.

Clearly, the "cloud" is a kind of euphemism, or abstract concept for, running code on someone else's computer, but is there more to it than that? Is everything considered a "cloud" if it's not your own server rack, or is that term specifically for certain kinds of web services?

DISCLAIMER: The content of this article was generated from ChatGPT prompts, and curated/edited by a human being.

Cloud Computing is What?

While Kamala Harris's comment may have oversimplified the concept, the idea of cloud being ephemeral code, that just runs on someone else's computer, is on the right track. The "cloud" does represent running code and storing data on someone else's infrastructure, but it encompasses a range of services, deployment models, and considerations that go beyond just remote computing. It's a complex ecosystem designed to provide flexibility, scalability, and convenience in accessing computing resources.

The term "cloud" often serves as a euphemism for using remote servers (i.e., someone else's computers) to store and process data. However, there are specific aspects and models that define what constitutes "cloud computing." Here's a breakdown:

What is the Cloud?

1. Remote Servers: At its core, the cloud refers to services and resources hosted on remote servers, accessible over the internet. These servers are typically housed in data centers managed by cloud service providers.

2. On-Demand Resources: Cloud computing allows users to access resources like computing power, storage, and applications on demand, meaning you can scale up or down based on your needs without investing in physical hardware.

3. Service Models: There are three primary models of cloud services:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet (e.g., AWS EC2, DigitalOcean).
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers hardware and software tools over the internet, often used for app development (e.g., Google App Engine, Heroku).
• Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis (e.g., Google Workspace, Salesforce).

4. Deployment Models: The cloud can be deployed in various ways:

• Public Cloud: Services are provided over the internet and shared across multiple customers (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Private Cloud: Services are dedicated to a single organization, either hosted internally or by a third party.
• Hybrid Cloud: A combination of public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them.

Misconceptions About the Cloud

• Not Just "Up There": The cloud is not an abstract entity "up there"; it consists of physical servers and infrastructure located in data centers around the world. Data is stored in these facilities, and access is facilitated via the internet.

• Security and Compliance: The cloud raises considerations about data security, privacy, and compliance. Users must trust their cloud providers to safeguard their data.

• Not Just Any Server: While any remote server could be seen as "cloud," the term specifically refers to scalable, on-demand services typically offered by major providers with robust infrastructure and support.

What is not an Example of a Cloud Service

When considering web hosting or executing code, the following scenarios would typically not be classified as cloud computing, aside from running your own hardware:

1. Dedicated Hosting: When you rent an entire physical server from a provider, and it's not shared with other customers. This is a fixed resource model, lacking the scalability and flexibility that defines cloud computing.

2. Colocation: If you own your hardware and place it in a third-party data center, you're managing the physical servers yourself. While the data center provides power, cooling, and network connectivity, it's not cloud computing since you're responsible for maintenance and management.

3. Local Development: Running applications or code on your personal computer or local network is not cloud computing. This setup is entirely dependent on your local resources and infrastructure.

4. Static Website Hosting: Hosting a simple static website on a shared server without the dynamic scaling capabilities or managed services typically associated with cloud environments may not qualify as cloud computing.

5. Non-Scalable Virtual Private Servers (VPS): If a VPS is fixed in terms of resources (e.g., CPU, memory) and does not offer the ability to scale dynamically or on-demand, it would not be considered true cloud computing.

6. Legacy Systems: Running applications on older on-premises systems without leveraging cloud technologies or architectures falls outside the realm of cloud computing.

7. Managed Hosting Services without Cloud Features: Some managed hosting services provide support and maintenance for dedicated servers or VPSs without the dynamic scalability, elasticity, or resource pooling characteristics of cloud services.

Overview of Non-Cloud Services

In essence, if the setup lacks the scalability, flexibility, and on-demand resource management typically associated with cloud computing, it would not be classified as such. The essence of cloud computing lies in its ability to provide resources dynamically and efficiently through a networked infrastructure, allowing users to leverage shared resources without the need for physical management.

Linode and DigitalOcean Cloud Computing

DigitalOcean and Linode droplets are generally considered cloud computing services. Here's why:

Linode and DigitalOcean Droplets

1. Virtualization: Droplets are virtual machines (VMs) created on shared physical infrastructure. This is a fundamental characteristic of cloud computing, where resources are abstracted from physical hardware.

2. On-Demand Provisioning: You can create, scale, and destroy droplets as needed, which allows for dynamic resource management—a key feature of cloud computing.

3. Billing and Flexibility: Both platforms offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, allowing you to pay for only the resources you use. This flexibility is central to cloud services.

4. Managed Infrastructure: DigitalOcean and Linode handle the underlying hardware, networking, and data center management, enabling users to focus on deploying and managing applications without worrying about physical server upkeep.

5. API Access: Both services provide APIs to programmatically manage and automate resource allocation, which is a common feature in cloud environments.

While DigitalOcean and Linode may not offer the extensive array of services that larger cloud providers like AWS or Azure do, they still fit the definition of cloud computing due to their virtualization, scalability, and on-demand resource provisioning. Therefore, calling them "cloud computing" rather than "semi-cloud" is appropriate.

Conclusion

The complexities and nuances of what constitutes cloud computing, as well as clarifying the distinctions between cloud and non-cloud environments, can be summarized like so:

1. Definition of Cloud: The cloud refers to remote servers that provide computing resources over the internet, allowing users to store and process data without needing physical infrastructure.

2. Key Features: The cloud enables on-demand access to resources, scalability, and flexibility. It includes service models like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, as well as deployment models such as public, private, and hybrid clouds.

3. Misconceptions: The cloud is not an abstract concept "up there"; it consists of physical servers in data centers. It's also not just any remote server, as it specifically refers to services that offer scalable, on-demand capabilities.

4. Non-Cloud Scenarios: We identified situations that do not qualify as cloud computing, such as dedicated hosting, colocation, local development, and legacy systems. These setups lack the scalability and resource management typical of cloud environments.

5. DigitalOcean and Linode: Droplets from DigitalOcean and Linode are considered cloud computing services due to their virtualization, on-demand provisioning, flexible billing, and managed infrastructure.