CommScope Definitions: What is Cloud Computing?

This blog post is part of a series called “CommScope Definitions,” in which we will explain common terms in communications network infrastructure. 

“Cloud computing” – it sounds very pie in the sky, doesn’t it? All of this data, floating somewhere in space. Merriam-Webster defines cloud computing as the practice of storing regularly used computer data on multiple servers that can be accessed through the Internet. I think of cloud computing like a revolving sushi bar: all the food (data) you want is available, but you still need to grab a plate from the conveyor to eat. Same with cloud computing. The data is “out there” on servers, but you need to grab it through the Internet. Generally, it can take three different forms:

• Public cloud
• Private cloud
• Hybrid cloud

CLICK TO TWEET: Cloud computing takes 3 different forms. Which one do you use? 

Public cloud describes the on-demand information technology (IT) services publicly hosted by third-party providers. When public cloud consumers subscribe to services, the providers privately deliver the services via the internet. The data center resources, owned or leased by the providers, are shared by all the service subscribers. The IT services supplied in public cloud can be compute, storage, network security, database, software applications or others.

Private cloud describes the on-demand IT services privately hosted by enterprises themselves or third-party managed service providers. When private cloud consumers subscribe to services, either the enterprise’s IT organization delivers the services via the company intranet, or the managed service providers deploy the services via dedicated connectivity. Either way, the data center resources are dedicated for the individual customer alone. The IT services available in private cloud can be compute, storage, network security, database, software applications or others.

Hybrid cloud is the combination and collaboration of deploying on-demand IT services from both private cloud and public cloud providers. The key to hybrid cloud is enabling data, applications or services to be shared, migrated or collaborated between the private cloud and public cloud.

Cloud computing can mean different things to different people and networks. How are you using the cloud?

About the Author

Frank Yang

Frank Yang is manager, Market Strategy Development, for the ISP Fiber business unit of CommScope. Frank leads the market strategy development for data center, central office and enterprise campus markets. Prior to CommScope, Yang worked at Dell and was responsible for server hardware development. He serves as Marketing Chair for Next Generation Enterprise Cabling Subcommittee of Ethernet Alliance. He received a Master of Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University, and has several patents, articles, white papers and publications under his name. Frank is a frequent speaker at various global and national level opportunities, for example, Data Center Summit, Ethernet Technology Summit, OFC conference, the Ethernet Alliance’s Technology Exploration Forum, Cable Installation and Maintenance (CI&M) Webinars, BICSI conference, etc. Frank holds CloudU, Cisco Certified Network Design Professional (CCDP) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certificates.