What is cloud Computing?
Cloud-based computing is basically a method of processing data in a central hub or cloud and then streaming only the outputs to the consumer, while channelling inputs back to the cloud and running the cycle over.
Where cloud computing really offers benefits?
when a website or application gets hit with a lot of traffic in a very short amount of time.
Cloud Services offerings..
The industry has defined three categories of services:
- IaaS(Infrastructure as a Service)– a set of infrastructure level capabilities such as an operating system, network connectivity, etc. that are delivered as pay for use services and can be used to host applications.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)– higher level sets of functionality that are delivered as consumable services for developers who are building applications. PaaS is about abstracting developers from the underlying infrastructure to enable applications to quickly be composed.
- SaaS(Software as a service) – applications that are delivered using a service delivery model where organizations can simply consume and use the application. Typically an organization would pay for the use of the application or the application could be monetized through ad revenue.
What is Windows Azure?
The Windows Azure Platform is a set of cloud computing services that can be used separately or together. Windows Azure is hosted in Microsoft data centers around the world. Windows Azure provides compute power, storage, and automated service management, as well as easy connectivity to other applications and access control to provide secure authorization and authentication of access to cloud resources. Also hosted in the Windows Azure platform is Microsoft SQL Azure, providing relational database services and automated management of relational service. SQL Azure can help reduce costs by integrating with existing toolsets and providing symmetry with on-premises and cloud databases. Windows Azure AppFabric helps developers connect applications and services in the cloud or on-premises. This includes applications running on Windows Azure, Windows Server and a number of other platforms including Java, Ruby, PHP and others. Windows Azure AppFabric provides a Service Bus for connectivity across network and organizational boundaries, and Access Control for federated authorization as a service.
Why Windows Azure?
Microsoft is one of the largest operators of datacenters in the world
Years of Experience
Large scale trustworthy environments
Driving for cost and environmental efficiently
Windows Azure runs in 3 regions and 6 datacenters today
Data center innovation is driving improved reliability and efficiency
PUE = Power Usage Effectiveness = Total Facility power/IT Systems Power = Indication of efficiency of DC
Under 1.8 is very good, modern cloud DCs approaching 1.2
Multi-billion dollar datacenter investment
700,000+ square foot Chicago and the 300,000+ square foot Dublin, Ireland data centers
Microsoft cloud services provide the reliability and security you expect for your business: 99.9% uptime SLA, 24/7 support