Cloud Computing

Every computer has limits: only so much storage, only so much processing power, and everything on it is tied to that one machine. Cloud computing removes those limits by delivering computer-based services over the Internet — the "cloud" — so that whatever you need is available from anywhere, on any smart device, the moment you are connected.

What the cloud actually delivers

The services offered through the cloud are not just files. They span the full range of computing resources:

• Software — applications you use directly over the Internet instead of installing them.
• Hardware — servers physically located in a provider's facility, doing work on your behalf.
• Databases — organised data stores you can query remotely.
• Storage — space to keep files, backups and other data online.

These resources are owned and maintained by companies called cloud service providers. You do not buy the equipment; you rent the capability.

The pay-per-use model

Cloud providers usually charge on a pay-per-use basis — exactly the way an electricity bill works. You do not buy a power station to light your home; you draw as much electricity as you need and pay for what you consumed. In the same way, a cloud user draws computing resources as needed and pays only for that usage, rather than making a large purchase of hardware or software upfront.

You are already a cloud user

Cloud computing sounds futuristic, but most students use it daily without noticing:

• Storing pictures and files as a backup on the Internet — those files sit on a provider's servers, not on your device.
• Hosting a website — the site's files and the machine serving them live in the cloud, reachable by anyone.

Computing power beyond your own machine

The most striking benefit is that the cloud lets a user run a bigger application, or process a very large amount of data, even when their personal computer lacks the required storage or processing power. As long as the computer is connected to the Internet, the heavy lifting happens on the provider's machines; your device only needs to reach them.

Why it matters …