Client-Server Model

In a client-server model:

  • Client: makes requests to a computer server.
    • Can be a web browser or desktop application that a person interacts with.
  • Server: fulfils the client’s request.
    • Can be a service such as Amazon EC2.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has the following components:

  • On-demand delivery: resources can be allocated (deallocated) when we (don’t) need them.
    • This is not possible with on-premise data centres.
  • IT resources: many products to support different business needs.
  • Over the internet: access to the IT resources using a secure webpage console or programatically.
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing: no contracts are established, we only pay for what we use and when.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has the following benefits:

  • Variable expense: removes the need to invest heavily in data centers and servers before we know how we’re going to use them.
  • Lower maintenance costs: removes the cost of maintaining hardware (AWS is responsible for this).
  • Don’t need to guess capacity: removes the need to predict infrastructure capacity before application deployment.
  • Economies of scale: AWS can offer lower costs as their large customer base can aggregate in the cloud.
  • Increased speed and agility: faster development and experimentation as resources can be obtained within minutes.
  • Global in minutes: applications can be deployed to customers around the world quickly, while providing low latency.