Cloud and cloud services: analysis of the essence and principle of operation

Cloud services and the concept of "cloud" are environments where users can easily access applications, content and data through remote resources. The term can have different meanings in different contexts, but in general, cloud services provide businesses with useful opportunities and competitive potential.

From the provider's point of view, cloud infrastructure is an environment in which virtual machines can be created and managed. It consists of hardware, such as physical servers, and special software called a hypervisor. A hypervisor is a virtualization technology that allows software to run on physical hardware.

Reincarnating Technology: The Journey of Cloud Platforms

Historically, cloud platforms have evolved with the advent of the modern digital age, and today we increasingly rely on cloud technologies. Many services, such as data, photo and video storage, are hosted in the cloud.

Basic cloud concepts include the following:

1. Provision of services such as computing resources or data storage;
2. Sharing of resources by several users;
3. Access to services through the network.

The main stages of the development of cloud platforms began in the 60s of the last century:

• In 1961, Professor John McCarthy suggested that computing would be sold as a utility.
• In 1967, IBM virtualized operating systems, allowing multiple users to share the same resources.
• In 1969, the US Department of Defense launched the ARPANET network, the forerunner of the Internet, based on the TCP/IP protocol.
• In the decades that followed, research in virtualization, operating systems, storage systems, and networking technologies continued to develop and find new applications previously unknown.

In the 1990s, the underlying technologies for cloud computing reached a certain maturity. An important event was the launch of the World Wide Web in 1991, when more than a million computers were connected to the Internet. This became the starting point for the revolution in the field of Internet business and the popularity of e-commerce. At this time, the client-server model of distributed computing was created, where websites provided the frontend to the user, and servers on the Internet contained the backend with application logic.

Modern cloud computing began to develop with the appearance of the public cloud service Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2002. At that time, there were practically no competitors, and although the advantages of cloud computing were known, real examples of their application were not yet widespread. Over time, more and more websites and workflows began moving to the cloud, and over the next decade, cloud technology evolved in two generations.

The beginning of cloud computing

The first generation of cloud computing is characterized by the traditional definition of the cloud. It is a centralized infrastructure in data centers (American English, or data centres - Commonwealth English) that host large amounts of computing and storage resources. At that time, cloud service providers provided backend services, and users accessed them through web and mobile applications.

In 2005, the OpenNebula research project was launched to develop a software stack to simplify the use of cloud computing. Amazon Web Services (AWS) made its computing platform (EC2) available to the general public in 2006. During this period, cloud computing technologies continued to develop and solutions became more dependent on data centers, which simultaneously reduced the risks for users.

Along with the development of specialized software for the organization of cloud clusters, private clouds appeared. In 2009, a standards body established a definition of private cloud, and in 2011, a reference architecture was introduced. In 2010, Microsoft entered the cloud services market with the launch of the Azure platform. Also in 2010, the OpenStack open source project was launched - in particular, it is used by OneCloudPlanet in its cloud solutions development. Both projects aroused great interest in the IT community.

Intermediaries of cloud computing

The second generation of cloud computing is characterized by a significant increase in services and increased competition between cloud infrastructure providers. The ability to monitor the resources used in the cloud has made the concept of cloud computing more reliable. Moreover, in addition to the pay-as-you-go model, bidding for resources has been introduced. Real-time streaming services have begun to be processed in the cloud. In addition to relational databases, non-relational database services have become available. DevOps became widespread, and microservices began to be used to develop cloud applications. The launch of container services in the cloud in 2014 contributed to this development.

Chronicles the development of the cloud platform from the beginning of the era to the present

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Formation of the value of the cloud service

Cloud services are so named because they provide access to data storage and resources via the Internet, "from the cloud." The cloud is a metaphor for an internet network and a remote server that is a repository of data and resources. Users can use these resources regardless of the location and type of device used to access cloud services. This makes access to data and resources more flexible, scalable and convenient.

To understand the operation of cloud services, you need to familiarize yourself with the main components:

1. Frontend: includes tools that allow the user to receive data via the Internet and connect to cloud computing systems;
2. Backend: provides storage and processing of customer data, as well as other services;
3. Network: provides communication between components of cloud services and users via the Internet.

The combination of these components defines the architecture of cloud services. It is also worth noting that the cloud relies heavily on virtualization and automation. Virtualization allows you to provide cloud computing services in the form of logical units available for use by the client. Automation and orchestration allow customers to independently allocate resources, configure services, and manage equipment without direct intervention from the cloud provider's IT staff.

Cloud hosting providers

Cloud service providers that provide cloud services to end users are cloud service providers. They develop public cloud platforms, can create private clouds at the client's request and offer various services in IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service) models.

Types of cloud services

Cloud service options offer different models for infrastructure development and operation. Depending on your needs, you can choose from three main models: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides the client with computing resources in the form of virtual machines or cloud servers. The client independently manages these resources and deploys the necessary services. A provider of this service, such as OneCloudPlanet, provides the hardware and cloud functionality.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides the client with ready-made virtual machines configured for specific functionality. Often, the client does not have access to some "layers" of the PaaS service. An example of a PaaS service can be Managed Kubernetes, where the provider is responsible for the operation of the control plane.

Software as a Service (SaaS) offers completely ready-to-use software products. The programs required for the program to work are already installed in the cloud. The client does not need to configure or manage the software, it is enough for him to focus on solving his tasks.

Platforms and solutions for cloud work and joint interaction

In addition to the main models, there are other useful approaches and services within the platforms that can speed up the process of infrastructure development and operation, which OneCloudPlanet is actively working on.

In order to be a leader in the field of cloud infrastructure and microservice solutions for companies of any size in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, we have a clear plan for the development of our platform, which allows our employees and you as customers to have an idea of ​​our direction of development.

Therefore we are already working on:

KaaS - Managed Kubernetes allows you to automatically deploy, scale and manage applications based on the Kubernetes platform. Our service provides convenient mechanisms for interacting with the cluster, allowing you to automate the processes of deployment, scaling and management of applications in containers. The main thing you'll be working with is a Kubernetes cluster.

GPU Cloud. Cloud servers with graphics cards for solving tasks that require serious computing power. Cloud servers with GPUs will accelerate the processes of machine learning, analytics and work with graphics.

MultiZone Cloud. As part of a multi-zone cloud, we provide several geographically distributed availability zones within the same region. Each zone consists of its own physical data center with its own backup and power systems.

The service for creating and managing K8s clusters is already under development by OneCloudPlanet

Architectures of cloud services

Cloud services can be classified by cloud types.

A public cloud provides resources on a single virtualized platform to multiple users. Some well-known services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud, are based on a public cloud model.

A private cloud is a model of cloud services where the user does not share resources with other users. All computing power of the virtual cloud CPU (vCPU) is available exclusively to the user. A company can build a private cloud on its own or leased infrastructure, which will require virtualization specialists. It is also possible to rent a private cloud from a provider.

Hybrid cloud combines the advantages of private and public cloud. It is increasingly popular because it combines the best aspects of both approaches.

In addition, there are other types of clouds:

• Multicloud involves the use of resources from several cloud providers. This is often done to increase geographic availability and ensure resilience to infrastructure failure.
• Community Cloud is a model of cloud services to which a certain group or organization has access. This is a semi-public cloud that only select organizations can use. Examples of Community Cloud are Microsoft Azure Germany for locations and Microsoft Azure Government for US government agencies.

Cloud services have a number of advantages:

• Flexibility and scalability make it easy to scale the infrastructure to fit your company's needs. Horizontal and vertical scaling lets you add or scale resources as needed and quickly shut them down when they're no longer needed;
• Resource savings are achieved thanks to the flexibility of cloud services. The cloud can be more cost-effective than traditional servers and your own infrastructure, especially if you have a seasonal load or need to quickly deploy services;
• Cloud providers provide various security enhancement options, such as cloud data backup, DDoS protection, access and rights delimitation systems, and other solutions;
• The availability of cloud services allows users to access applications and data from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection. It is convenient for remote work and teamwork.

Practical application of cloud systems for various businesses

According to research, the global market for cloud services was valued at approximately $272 billion in 2018, and this figure will grow to $623 billion by 2023. Cloud technologies have found application in both startups and large companies. The pandemic highlighted the convenience of cloud technologies — it only took a few days to shift employees to remote work.

Cloud computing is widely used by both startups and large companies. They provide convenience and benefits, especially during the pandemic, when the transition to remote work becomes an integral part of business.

Application of cloud computing in the corporate sphere

With the favorable conditions of broadband Internet access and the general spread of mobile devices, cloud computing is becoming a viable solution for businesses around the world. Companies gain access to web applications as well as data storage and processing capabilities. At the same time, cloud services relieve companies of some worries related to maintaining their own equipment. Here are just a few examples:

• There's no need to hire specialists to maintain the infrastructure.
• There's no need to purchase equipment as the business grows and struggle with logistical and financial hurdles.
• There's no need to provide an optimal microclimate for the server room and equip it with specialized equipment.
• Special attention is paid to the physical and information security of the equipment.

These tasks require significant financial and time costs. If you use the rental of computing resources, then all these problems fall on the shoulders of the cloud provider of cloud resources.

The process of migration to cloud servers

To make the transition to cloud technologies, it is necessary to perform the following steps:

1. Analyze the architecture of your service. If you have a monolithic system that is difficult to break down into smaller services, moving to the cloud may not make sense. It is important to determine whether cloud solutions are suitable for the purposes of your service;
2. Choose a cloud service provider based on criteria such as reliability, compatibility with your existing systems, and availability of necessary certifications;
3. Register in the control panel of the chosen provider and select the appropriate server configurations and additional services such as IaaS (infrastructure as a service);
4. Configure access to servers and applications using virtual private networks or virtual private networks (VPNs) to ensure a secure connection;
5. Migrate data from local servers to cloud infrastructure using data migration tools provided by the provider;
6. Ensure the security of cloud services by setting up monitoring and protection systems against hacking and attacks;
7. Train employees to work with cloud services and create the necessary documentation to support the system.

In addition, a good cloud service provider can help you with the process of migrating to a new infrastructure and provide guidance on the choice of configurations, simplifying the task for your business. For example, Selectel has a separate team of DevOps specialists that helps to move to the company's cloud for free.

Examples of cloud services and software

When we talk about cloud services, the first thing that comes to mind is storage. This example is most understandable for a modern user, since many people upload various photos, videos and documents to the cloud every day. Here are some examples of such repositories:

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage that provides up to 2 GB of free space and is compatible with popular operating systems.

Google Drive is a product of Google, which is distinguished by the ability to work with all products of the company's ecosystem and provides free space up to 15 GB.

Mega is a free file hosting that has a high level of security, multi-platform and provides 15 GB of free space.

Trends and dynamics of the world market of cloud services

According to Synergy Research Group at the end of 2022, the top 3 leading cloud service providers globally include:

• AWS (Amazon Web Services) with a market share of 32%;
• Microsoft Azure with a market share of 23%;
• Google Cloud with a market share of 10%.

Dynamics of changes in the market of cloud providers

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Research by Synergy Research Group indicates a slowdown in the growth of the global market for cloud services. This is due to the strengthening of the dollar and the weakening of the Chinese market due to the pandemic. By the end of 2022, the total market volume reached almost $250 billion, which is a third higher than in 2021.

According to a study conducted by Grand View Research and dedicated to new trends in the field of cloud computing, by 2030 the revenue from the cloud sector is estimated at $1.6 trillion. The growth chart is shown below. Thus, it is clear that cloud computing is a rapidly growing field of information technology.

Cloud services market size, 2021-2030 (US$ billion)

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Hence

In conclusion, cloud computing provides modern computing resources available on demand. They can be scaled according to needs, without spending time and resources to acquire and maintain on-premises infrastructure. With cloud computing, teams become more efficient and reduce time to market because they can quickly acquire and scale services without the significant effort required to manage traditional infrastructure. Choose OneCloudPlanet because it is a cloud platform that provides opportunities for the digitalization of businesses of any scale.

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