Cloud Computing
The cloud means using remote servers over the internet.
About this topic
Cloud computing means using computing resources, such as servers, storage, databases and software, over the Internet from large data centres, rather than owning and running them yourself. Users usually pay for what they use. Main service models are IaaS (rented infrastructure), PaaS (a platform to build and run apps) and SaaS (ready-made software like email or online documents).
The cloud offers scalability, because capacity can grow or shrink quickly, and reliability, since data is copied across many machines and locations. A start-up can launch a website without buying hardware, and a shop can add servers just for a holiday sale. Virtualisation lets one physical machine host many separate virtual machines. Examples include streaming videos, online file storage, collaborative documents and mobile app back ends.
Drawbacks include dependence on Internet access, concerns about privacy and who controls data, possible outages and ongoing costs. Data centres also use large amounts of electricity. A common misconception is that the cloud is somewhere without physical form; your files are on real servers in real buildings. Another is that cloud data is automatically backed up forever, so keep your own copies of important files.
Key ideas
- Storage and services on demand
- Scalable
- Needs a connection
Quick check
Use cases: where Cloud Computing helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Cloud Computing before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Cloud Computing without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Cloud Computing changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Cloud Computing in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Computing ideas run phones, search engines, games and the wider internet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cloud Computing?
The cloud means using remote servers over the internet.
What will I learn in Cloud Computing?
Storage and services on demand. Scalable. Needs a connection.
Is Cloud Computing part of Computer Science?
Yes. It is one of 80 Computer Science topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Cloud Computing lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Cloud Computing?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.