Cloud Computing
Nariman Mirzaei (nmirzaei@indiana.edu)
Fall 2008
Abstract
“Cloud” computing – a relatively recent term, defines the paths ahead in computer science world. Being
built on decades of research it utilizes all recent achievements in virtualization, distributed computing,
utility computing, and networking. It implies a service oriented architecture through offering softwares
and platforms as services, reduced information technology overhead for the end-user, great flexibility,
reduced total cost of ownership, on demand services and many other things. This paper is a brief survey
based of readings on “cloud” computing and it tries to address, related research topics, challenges
ahead and possible applications.
1 Introduction
Cloud computing is the next generation in computation. Maybe Clouds can save the world; possibly
people can have everything they need on the cloud. Cloud computing is the next natural step in the
evolution of on-demand information technology services and products. The Cloud is a metaphor for the
Internet, based on how it is depicted in computer network diagrams, and is an abstraction for the
complex infrastructure it conceals.
It is a style of computing in which IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service”, allowing users to
access technology-enabled services from the Internet (i.e., the Cloud) without knowledge of, expertise
with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them.
Email was probably the first service on the “cloud”. As the computing industry shifts toward providing
Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) for consumers and enterprises to access on
demand regardless of time and location, there will be an increase in the number of Cloud platforms
available.
But it seems that Cloud computing cannot save the universe. Cloud computing cannot run for President.
Cloud computing is a very specific type of computing that has very specific benefits. But it has specific
negatives as well. And it