Cloud Computing

In cloud computing, a network of connections and servers is known as the cloud. Computing at this scale enables users to access resources at a supercomputer-level. By utilizing a thin client or an access point such as a laptop, iPhone or a BlackBerry, a user can call upon the cloud for resources as they become needed. Because of this, cloud computing is often called “on-demand computing”. The enhanced processing power of this system is made possible by way of distributed cluster computing, often used in conjunction with parallel processing and server-virtualiztion programs such as Xen. Cloud computing is in contrast to the traditional desktop mode, where resources of one computer are used to complete tasks. In general, it can be viewed as an extension of the client/server model. Cloud computing is commonly used to sort through a large amount of data. Google is one company that has taken advantage of this technology because of a need to produce immediate, accurate results for millions of search inquiries that are made everyday. Google-branded Apps, Maps and Gmail are all based on cloud computing.