Cloud computing is a set of servers and machines that provide 
resources like Infrastructure, data storage space and software to
their clients at some subscription fee.
Such a cloud has clients, servers and data storage facilities.
Types of Clouds in cloud computing
There are four main types of clouds –
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
- Community Cloud
These clouds are based on the applications that these machines will
host and the environment that is planned.
As the name suggests a public cloud is in the public domain. The hardware, software and bandwidth are hosted by the Service Providers. The user or subscriber of the services pays for the amount used. The user does not have to bother about maintenance, size, scalability, etc. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Apps provide services via public clouds. This enables small and medium sized companies to store and manage their data and software applications with minimal investment. Some users have concern over the security of data because these are shared services and managed by engineers external to the Organization; but appropriate security measures are put in place by the providers to ensure security of data.
Private Cloud
Private cloud is nothing but cloud computing on a private network. It is deployed within a Corporate firewall and the costs of operating and the bandwidth are managed and borne by the organization. Though this is expensive as compared to the public cloud, it ensures better security and corporate governance. Experts are still debating on whether such an infrastructure should be called a cloud or is it just a virtual network that is private to an organization.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid clouds are a combination of Public and Private Clouds. These clouds are increasingly being used by companies where there is a need to maintain some of their applications on their internal infrastructure, but also need the scalability and cost benefits of the public cloud. The sensitivity of data and regulations related to maintaining data are managed through the Private cloud and everything else can be on the Public Cloud.
Community Cloud
A community cloud is a cloud computing environment built like a public cloud but shared by and restricted to specific organizations within that community. Government institutions are prime candidates for a community cloud. The data can be shared across these organizations, but is restricted from other organizations outside the community. Thus, though it gives the benefit of scalability and lower cost like a public cloud environment, it gives the security and governance benefits of a private cloud system.
Federation of Cloud Computing
As requirements of Cloud Computing environment grow, a single provider will not
be able to meet all requirements at all possible locations. So, the efforts are on to focus
on getting Clouds to work together like a Federation across network and administrative boundaries.
So, small cloud providers can connect with a global marketplace and use globally available
infrastructure and provide it to their subscribers. So, even if a provider is based in the UK
and has a client who wants services in India, it can be done via the federation.
This enables him to do business without investing in infrastructure across the world.
Cloud Federation can be beneficial for both providers and customers.
Customers may profit from lower costs and better performance,
while providers may offer more sophisticated services.
Thanks the TIB Team