Cloud Computing Infrastructure
Cloud Networks Explained
There are varieties between the different cloud computing solutions and their infrastructure depending on the provider. Still, generally speaking, we can outline a few basic similarities. In most cases cloud computing relies on the following:
Cloud Computing Components
- Distributed file system which spreads over multiple hard disks and machines. It provides redundancy, high speed and reliability. Data is never stored in one place only and when one unit fails, its place is taken automatically by another one. For the reader it might be important to know that user disk space is allocated on the distributed file system. While this technology ensures high reliability for the user's files, it is more expensive than a standard solution without data replication.
- Algorithm for resource allocation. Cloud computing is a complex distributed environment and it relies heavily on strong algorithms for allocating properly CPU, RAM and hard disk operations to end users and core processes in a mutual and shared system. Here comes the matter of resource accounting and there are two distinct alternatives. The first one is strictly usage-oriented where you have a limited number of units. Such units can be connected to CPU and/or Memory usage, time or they can be a compound indicator. This covers generally the idea of utility computing. As a whole it gives some flexibility but it is more expensive in the long term.
Follows a good web hosting example when this alternative should be preferred - you have a small site with low constant traffic and resource usage. Though the key point is that you expect rare peaks, for example once per month. In this case you pay only for the peak overusage but don’t invest too much money for dedicated capacity.
The second alternative is capacity pre-allocation. In this case there are different plans with predefined constant resources - dedicated CPU and Memory. This still gives flexibility to upgrade resources on demand but it also allows lower price for higher resource usage in the long term.
A web hosting example would show that capacity pre-allocation alternative is suitable for mid-size to bigger sites with constant traffic. It is a more reliable alternative to a dedicated server and lower in price. Since it is similar to dedicated servers, it is called sometimes virtual dedicated server (VDS) or cloud servers.
SiteGround is pleased to offer the best cloud infrastructure through its cloud hosting offers which are fully managed and cost-effective.