How Does A Cloud Server Work?

How Does A Cloud Server Work?

Confusion can be a terrible hindrance on progress. Recently a study found that when it comes to cloud computing most key decision makers in companies do not make use of cloud computing simply because they do not really understand the concept. What does not help is the fact that cloud computing (as a concept) has been banded around by both media and hardware/software companies with such little regard to standardising the term that it is essentially now lost in translation. 

So what is cloud computing? It can effectively mean many things – for example if a company opts for using software that runs within a web browser rather than relying on the local machine then this is cloud computing (cloud software – software as a service). If a company opts for storing all physical data within a server not based locally but within another country virtually then this is effectively cloud computing (a cloud server). 

Most people have used some form of cloud computing without really being aware of it. For example, anyone using web-based email services such as Gmail or Hotmail is using a form of cloud computing. Rather than running the email programme directly on the individual computer, the user logs on to a remote web email account. All the software and storage associated with the account are not on the individual computer but essentially stored on a server associated with the web application.

So why cloud servers?

Why would companies use cloud server over traditional dedicated servers? Simply put there are a range of benefits that include:

• More cost effect option to traditional hosting services. The cloud server concept is similar to using a metered service where customers get to select their own personalised cloud server. This is inclusive of disk space, RAM, Operating System (OS) and the customer pays against actual usage of bandwidth and memory consumed.

• Cloud servers offer 100 per cent utilisation of resources and a key benefit is that due to replication of data onto many web servers, uptime of the cloud server is not affected when physical servers shut down. As a supplement to physical servers they can offer true redundancy and safeguard against server failure via effective data backup. 

• Cloud hosting ensures that all the hard disk space, RAM and other processing needs of customers are met in their entirety. The addition of new servers and resources can be done at any time because cloud servers allow customers to expand their capacities according to their requirements. Cloud hosting companies have the capability to add as many resources as the customer requires.

• Scalability with cloud servers is very high because customers can add an unlimited number of virtual hosting accounts and servers. Resources can be added, removed and swapped without the workflow process being disrupted. There are no limits for customers to expand their resources.

Cloud Server Virtualisation

The concept of a cloud server in essence is not a new development. Cloud server virtualisation refers to technology that allows servers and storage devices to be shared and created virtually thereby increasing utilisation and encourages efficient management of resources. 

Virtual server environment offers users total control over their choice of applications and operating system through a central managed control panel. It also allows users to configure machines; use web browsers to scale the machine either up or down; manage all the cloud hosting services such as registration, domain and DNS. All of which can be controlled via any device that has access to the internet.

Whilst the individual instances of the cloud servers are virtualised, there is of course an underlying technology behind the virtualisation. Virtualisation platforms in use vary based on the company offering cloud server services. But it is generally accepted in the IT world that Linux KVM is a highly advanced virtualisation platform, more advanced than Xen for example, and can be built into mainline Linux making it extremely adaptable. 

From a technology perspective the cloud servers are essentially stored within data centres using server clusters. Clustering technology aims to provide round the clock access to resources, advanced scalability, maintenance without any downtime and faster processing through load balancing and parallelisation. Using RAID will further enhance the safety features of the data and have the virtual server running without any shut downs – even in the event of certain hardware failures and upgrades.

Due to the requirements for server clustering, having data centres in specific locations where the cloud server companies are located could be added bonus when choosing cloud hosting services. Latency can be an important factor when dealing with remote servers so finding a local service is important 

Cloud server virtualisation is best viewed as part of the overall scenario of autonomic computing where the IT environment manages itself and utility computing where customers pay only for actual usage. The primary goal of virtualisation is to centralise workflow processes while reducing cost and improving scalability. Fortunately with better knowledge of the advantages of cloud servers the future looks bright for improving IT efficiency.

This article has been written on behalf of ElasticHosts who offers a range of cloud server products and services. Find out more about server virtualisation and infrastructure at ElasticHosts.

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