Does your Business Need a Cloud Computing Server?

Cloud Computing Server

Cloud computing delivers computing resources, including applications, data storage, servers, development software, and more, via the internet (or cloud). A cloud computing server, on the other hand, a cloud computing server allows clients access to cloud tools and applications hosted in remote data centers by cloud service providers. It saves your company from investing in hardware for databases and IT software.

Table Of Content

    1. What is Cloud Computing?
    2. What is a Cloud Computing Server?
    3. What is the purpose of a cloud computing server?
    4. Why is it called a Cloud Computing Server?
    5. How does a Cloud Server work?
    6. What is the difference between a cloud server and a traditional server?
    7. Pros and Cons of Cloud Servers
    8. Why go for Cloud Servers? When to choose?
    9. Final Takeaway

What is a Cloud Computing Server?

A cloud server is a virtual version of a physical server. Cloud service providers build it, which multiple clients can access on demand remotely. Cloud computing servers could be public, private, or hybrid.

The public cloud delivers cloud computing services via the internet to multiple organizations while ensuring your data privacy. Private cloud provides cloud computing services to your organization only, while Hybrid cloud combines onsite, public, and private clouds.

What is the purpose of a cloud computing server?

The primary purpose of a cloud server is to save, store and share data within a computing network. It delivers web and application services, processing power, and storage resources over the Internet. Cloud servers have similar functions but have several advantages over traditional servers.

Rather than using a physical server, a cloud server gives you access to three significant services -software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS); at a lower cost and maintenance efforts.

Why is it called a Cloud Computing Server?

It is called the cloud because it is a connection of several remote servers linked together on the internet. Clients do not have to run software and database applications on physical servers. A third-party provider hosts and manages a cloud service provider responsible for providing and managing cloud computing services over the Internet.

How does a Cloud Server work?

Cloud servers work through a virtual technology called virtualization. Virtualization creates layers of simulated virtual computers from a single computer hardware using software like a hypervisor. The software abstracts physical computing resources, such as the CPU of a physical server, and allocates them to multiple virtual computers.

Each virtual computer receives resources from the hypervisor and runs on its operating system and applications as an independent computer. The hypervisor also ensures that each virtual computer cannot interact with one another. It keeps each virtual machine invisible to other virtual machines within the parent server.

A cloud service provider uses virtualization to create multiple cloud computing servers depending on a company’s infrastructure needs. They create as many cloud servers within physical servers and then deploy to various clients over the internet.

Virtualization technology is not limited to server and operating services. There is network virtualization that provides better networking, especially for a company with offices in different geographical locations, at reduced costs. Another type is desktop virtualization which ensures cost-effective desktop management.

What is the difference between a cloud server and a traditional server?

While a traditional server uses physical data centers for daily operations, a cloud server is a combination of resources that can be accessed using the Internet.

With a traditional server, companies can only access data, software, or storage via the device in which the data is stored. The local storage device is usually physical and accessible only on-site. But with a cloud server, any user can retrieve information as long as they can access the web.

Traditional servers are set up within an organization’s premises and can only be accessed by one organization. This makes standard servers less user-friendly as users need external storage mediums to access data outside the premises. However, cloud servers can be stored and used anywhere in the world.

Traditional servers are known to have more extensive data storage capabilities; hence, they are preferred for data-intensive workloads.

Also, scaling up traditional servers will require more time, money, labor, and expertise. More resources are necessary when there is a need to increase software or hardware capabilities. If the scale-up is just for a short time, a waste of resources is inevitable. With cloud servers, less expertise is needed. The cloud service provider monitors and manages the entire scale-up process.

Lastly, traditional servers require an on-site team of experts to maintain and run the server, while the provider’s support team manages cloud servers.

Pros and Cons of Cloud Servers

Like any other service, using cloud servers has its upsides and downsides. Some pros of cloud servers include the following:

Cost-effectiveness

When considering the difference in costs, cloud servers are more cost-effective. Expenses like regular updates and software licenses take up more money than covering the cost in a single monthly subscription payment. Also, using cloud servers eliminates the cost of physical storage space and personnel expenses.

Ease of Data retrieval

In cases of complex drive malfunction, companies that store data in a physical server may lose all their data. These companies, therefore, need to create backups on external devices and hope that those devices will not fail. Cloud service providers automatically create a seamless backup process that brings back your data in cases of system failure.

Scalability and flexibility

Cloud servers are an easy option for increasing, decreasing, or upgrading your computing services. If you need to scale down, your company can opt for lower storage space, saving you some costs. In growth, the cloud servers can increase in capacity, increasing productivity.

Some cons of using a cloud server include

Less control

Since the servers are unavailable on-site, a client has less control over its data. A client has to rely on the provider’s configurations and mode of service with fewer customization abilities. When such a company experiences downtime, one must wait for the service provider to fix the issue.

Security and Privacy

Companies that opt for cloud servers are at more risk of data leakage, intellectual property theft, and malware attacks. Usually, this occurs when the cloud service provider needs to implement adequate cloud security measures. Ensuring that a cloud storage provider will keep your data secure is necessary.

Why go for Cloud Servers? When to choose?

In addition to the benefits listed earlier, a cloud server offers a fast, stable, and secure service. It eliminates the hardware issues that come with physical servers, including a loss in the case of fire outbreaks and system malfunction.

If your company runs a website with increased traffic, you must go for cloud servers. Organizations with on-site servers can add cloud servers to accommodate the workload.

Final Takeaway

If your company opts for a cloud server, you must choose a cloud computing server provider with the proper certifications, a trustworthy record, and performance stability. Also, you consider your needs and your budget.

Cloud computing providers like Redswitches will create as many servers as your company needs. Check out our various services and choose the one that best suits your company.