AWS, cloud and advantages of cloud.

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krishnapal rawat
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4 min read

Introduction

As a beginner in the world of cloud computing and DevOps, it's essential to understand not only what cloud computing is but also how it has evolved. We'll explore the fundamentals of cloud computing, and distinguish between public and private clouds To provide context, we'll also take a step back to see how things worked before cloud computing and AWS became the norm.

What is Cloud Computing?

cloud refers to a "network of remoter servers, hosted on the internet" which are used to store, manage, and process data and applications. these servers are provided by aws.

Let's break it down with examples:

  • Old Days Scenario: In the past, if a company wanted to run a website or an application, they had to buy physical servers and set them up in a data center. This meant purchasing expensive equipment, setting up a secure place to keep them, and hiring people to manage it all.

  • Cloud Computing Scenario: Nowadays, with cloud computing, companies can skip the server shopping. Instead, they rent computer power and storage from cloud providers like AWS, which have data centers full of powerful machines.

  • Pay as You Go: Think of it like paying your electricity bill. You only pay for what you use. If you need more computer power, it's instantly available. If you need less, you stop paying for it.

Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud

Now, let's explore the differences between public and private clouds:

  1. Public Cloud:

    • In the public cloud, it's like going to a playground where everyone shares toys.

    • Big companies like AWS, Microsoft, and Google own these cloud playgrounds. They offer their toys (computers, storage, and software) to everyone over the internet.

    • For example, a startup can use AWS to host its website, and a gaming company can run its game servers in the same cloud.

  2. Private Cloud:

    • In contrast, a private cloud is like having your private playground.

    • A private cloud is dedicated to a single organization. You can have your special place, either in your data center or provided by a cloud company.

    • Big enterprises might use a private cloud for their sensitive data and applications, like banks securing their customer information.

Advantages of Cloud Computing with AWS

Now, why is AWS so exciting for beginners? Here are the benefits:

  1. No Big Upfront Costs:

    • In the old days, you had to buy expensive servers and equipment. With AWS, you rent what you need, so there's no huge upfront investment.

  2. Easy to Learn and Use:

    • AWS provides tools and resources designed for beginners. For example, Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) lets you run virtual servers, and AWS offers tutorials to get you started.

  3. Grow at Your Own Pace:

    • Start small with AWS, and as you get comfortable, you can expand your projects. No need to buy more servers; just scale up your cloud resources.

  4. Safe and Secure:

    • AWS has robust security measures, such as encryption and identity access management, helping you keep your projects safe.

  5. Global Playground:

    • AWS has data centers worldwide, allowing you to reach people and customers from anywhere, just like a global playground.

  6. Learn and Experiment:

    • AWS provides a free tier with resources to experiment with, so you can learn without worrying about costs.

The Old Days - On-Premises Computing

In the days before cloud computing, companies had to:

  • Purchase physical servers and hardware, which could be costly.

  • Set up their own data centers, complete with cooling systems and physical security measures.

  • Employ IT staff to maintain and manage the hardware and software.

  • Predict and invest in future capacity, often leading to overprovisioning or underutilization of resources.

  • Face challenges in scaling quickly to meet growing demand.

Conclusion

The journey from on-premises computing in the old days to cloud computing, with AWS as a leading provider, is a remarkable transformation for beginners in this field. AWS allows you to learn and experiment without the heavy burden of upfront costs and complex infrastructure management. It's like a modern playground that offers endless opportunities for growth and innovation. Embrace the change, start small, and enjoy the flexibility and agility that AWS provides on your cloud computing journey. Happy learning!

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