diff --git a/files/en-us/glossary/cloud/index.md b/files/en-us/glossary/cloud/index.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000000000..3fbaa299ec45b62 --- /dev/null +++ b/files/en-us/glossary/cloud/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +title: Cloud +slug: Glossary/Cloud +page-type: glossary-definition +--- + +{{GlossarySidebar}} + +The **Cloud** refers to servers located worldwide that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases that run on those servers. + +Instead of storing data or running programs on a local computer or server, users can access cloud resources to perform tasks: this is known as {{glossary("Cloud computing")}}. + +### Key features of the cloud + +- Remote Access: Data and services are accessed remotely. +- Scalability: Resources can be scaled up or down based on demand. +- Availability: Services and data are typically accessible from anywhere with internet access. + +## See also + +- [What is the Cloud?](https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/learning/cloud/what-is-the-cloud/) on Cloudflare diff --git a/files/en-us/glossary/cloud_computing/index.md b/files/en-us/glossary/cloud_computing/index.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000000000..6094aef0ebf23ff --- /dev/null +++ b/files/en-us/glossary/cloud_computing/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +title: Cloud computing +slug: Glossary/Cloud_computing +page-type: glossary-definition +--- + +{{GlossarySidebar}} + +**Cloud computing** refers to the on-demand delivery of a wide range of computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, analytics, and intelligence via the Internet — also known as **cloud services**. + +This model enables faster innovation, flexible scalability, and significant cost savings. Users can use cloud-based services through a _pay-as-you-go_ pricing model, ensuring they only pay for what they use, making them highly efficient and adaptable solutions for businesses and individuals alike. + +### Cloud Services + +Cloud services are infrastructure, platforms, or software that are hosted by third-party providers and made available to users through the internet. Users can access cloud services with nothing more than a computer, operating system, and internet connectivity. + +### Cloud Service Providers (CSP) + +**Cloud service providers** are companies that provide cloud services, such as Google (Google Cloud Platform), Amazon AWS (Amazon Web Services), and Microsoft (Azure). + +### Types of Cloud computing + +The three main types of cloud computing are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each type of cloud computing provides different levels of control, flexibility, and management. + +#### Infrastructure as a Service + +IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, including servers, storage, and networking, allowing users to manage their infrastructure. This gives users a high level of flexibility and control over the resources. + +- **Use case:** A company needing to scale its server infrastructure rapidly without owning physical servers. + +- **Examples:** Amazon Web Services (AWS EC2), Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines, Google Compute Engine (GCE). + +#### Platform as a Service + +PaaS provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure (like servers, storage, and networking). + +- **Use case:** A developer who wants to focus on writing code and application logic, without managing servers or operating systems. + +- **Examples:** Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Service, Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk. + +#### Software as a Service + +SaaS delivers software applications over the internet, which users can access via a web browser. The underlying infrastructure, platform, and data are all managed by the provider. + +- **Use case:** A business using SaaS doesn't need to install or manage software locally. Instead, they access the software (like email, CRM, or collaboration tools) directly from a web browser. + +- **Examples:** Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Github, ChatGPT. + +## See also + +- [Cloud Computing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing) on Wikipedia +- [What is Cloud Computing?](https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-cloud-computing?hl=en) on Google Cloud +- [Cloud Service Provider](https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-a-cloud-service-provider?hl=en) on Google Cloud +- [NIST Definition of Cloud Computing](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/legacy/sp/nistspecialpublication800-145.pdf)