Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid. Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for IT services based on the Internet, and it typically involves over-the-Internet provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources. This frequently takes the form of web-based tools or applications that users can access and use through a web browser as if it were a program installed locally on their own computer. In general, cloud computing customers do not own the physical infrastructure, instead avoiding capital expenditure by renting usage from a third-party provider. They consume resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use.
Cloud Hosting
Generally, a cloud-hosted website is opearting on multiple connected servers. Instead of limited to a single server like what we have in dedicated and shared hosting, the website now has the access to multiple servers. Virtually, the processing power is unlimited as you can always add a new server and scale up.
Benefits of cloud hosting
Cloud hosting benefits the users from various angles. It’s scalability and cost efficient is the commonly known advantages.
As the technology is highly scalable (load balancing, hardware upgrades, etc), website expansion can be done with hardly any limitations. Think about server crash when your website experienced a sudden surge – such problems can be avoided easily by switching to cloud hosting.
Cost is another huge plus if you need a lot of processing power. Cloud hosting companies charge their users based on the quantity of computing power consumed. It’s like your electricity and water supply bills – it’s pay-per-use thus gone are the days where you need to reserve massive server powers to avoid website crash from sudden traffic surge.
Major disadvantage with cloud hosting: Security
There are two major questions like these arise when it comes to cloud hosting:
- I am sharing the same physical hardware with other users, is my data safe?
- Where is my data located at? (You no longer control the physical location of your data in cloud hosting)
Cloud Hosting in India
Cloud hosting networks are still provided by very large International players. In India the concept of clod hosting is still in infancy and there are hardly any service providers to look for. The good news is that recently a Jaipur based hosting company, Webspiders Interweb has started cloud hosting services.
Internationally also the cloud hosting prices are falling down rapidly and it is matter of time before Indian web hosting companies start offering cloud hosted environments at very attractive prices. Cloud hosting is indeed the next big thing in the hosting industry!