Interactive guide
Scroll to travel through the cloud
An interactive guide to the cloud
Understanding Cloud Computing
Rent servers, storage and software over the internet and pay only for what you use. Scroll and watch the cloud break into blocks and rebuild as each idea.
- On demand
- Pay as you go
- Global scale
- Always on
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing delivers servers, storage, databases and software over the internet, on demand. Instead of owning machines, you rent a slice of a provider's data centers and use only what you need.
A short history
Salesforce delivers business software through a website.
Amazon launches S3 and EC2, renting out storage and servers.
Cloud powers streaming, AI and most modern apps.
How the cloud is built
- Front end and back end
- The front end is what you touch: a browser, an app, a dashboard. The back end is everything behind it: servers, storage, databases and the software that manages them.
- Virtualization
- A hypervisor splits one physical server into many isolated virtual machines, so hardware is shared efficiently.
- Networking and storage
- Fast internal networks link thousands of servers. Data is stored as files, blocks or objects and copied across machines to survive failures.
Follow a request
Press the button to send a request through the cloud.
Data centers, cost and open source
Data centers
Warehouse-sized buildings full of server racks, with backup power, cooling and strict physical security.
Cost
Pay as you go, reserve capacity at a discount, or use spare capacity at low prices. Costs follow usage.
Open-source clouds
OpenStack and Apache CloudStack let organizations build their own cloud. Kubernetes manages containers on top.
Three ways to use the cloud
Finished applications you use in a browser. The provider runs everything; you sign in.
Examples Gmail, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Zoom
You manage only your data and settings.A ready-made platform for building and deploying apps. You write code; the provider handles servers and updates.
Examples Google App Engine, Azure App Service, Heroku
You manage your application and its data.Raw virtual machines, storage and networks. You install and run everything on top, with full control.
Examples Amazon EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, Google Compute Engine
You manage the operating system, runtime, apps and data.Where the cloud lives
Best for
Advantages and disadvantages
Drag to simulate traffic. The cloud adds servers automatically.
Advantages
Cost efficiency No hardware to buy up front.
Scalability Handle a rush, then scale back.
Flexibility Try ideas without long commitments.
Accessibility Work from anywhere online.
Disadvantages
Security concerns Misconfiguration can expose data.
Internet dependency No connection, no access.
Vendor lock-in Moving away can be hard and costly.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The pioneer, launched in 2006, with the broadest catalog of services.
Microsoft Azure
Strong in enterprises, with deep links to Windows, Office and hybrid setups.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Known for data analytics and machine learning, and the birthplace of Kubernetes.
Layers of protection
Cloud security is layered, so one failure does not expose everything. Hover a layer to light its ring.
- Data protectionClassify data and limit where it lives.
- EncryptionScramble data in storage and in transit.
- AuthenticationProve identity with passwords and multi-factor checks.
- Access controlGive people only the permissions they need.
- Backup and disaster recoveryKeep copies in other regions to restart fast.
Cloud in everyday life
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