A Cloud Computing Dictionary

A look at cloud computing, cloud terminology, cloud technologies, private versus public clouds, cloud computing vendors, and fun cloud computing quotes.

In cloud computing, the word “cloud” is used as a metaphor for “the Internet,” so the phrase “cloud computing” is used to mean a type of Internet-based computing, where services (such as servers, storage, applications and so on) are delivered to an organization’s computers and devices through the Internet as an on-demand service. Cloud computing has started to obtain mass appeal in corporate data centers as it enables the data center to operate like the Internet, enabling computing resources to be accessed and shared as virtual resources in a secure and scalable manner.

In its most simple description, cloud computing is taking services and moving them outside an organization’s firewall on shared systems. Applications and services are accessed via the Web, instead of your hard drive. In cloud computing, the services that are delivered and used over the Internet are paid for by cloud customers on an “as-needed, pay-per-use” business model. The infrastructure is also maintained by the cloud provider, not the cloud customer.

A Cloud Computing Dictionary Resource
By Vangie Beal, March 19, 2010