Cloud computing
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers for "cloud computing"
Consensus Meter
Cloud Computing: An Overview of Current Trends and Challenges
Introduction to Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has revolutionized the IT landscape by providing a new paradigm for hosting and delivering services over the Internet. It allows businesses to eliminate the need for extensive upfront investments in IT infrastructure, offering scalable resources that can be adjusted based on demand. This flexibility makes cloud computing an attractive option for enterprises looking to optimize their operations and reduce costs.
Key Concepts and Architectural Principles
Cloud computing operates on several key principles, including elasticity, pay-per-use, and on-demand provisioning. These principles enable businesses to scale their resources up or down as needed, paying only for what they use. The architecture of cloud computing typically involves a network of remote data centers that provide various services, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) .
Benefits of Cloud Computing
One of the primary benefits of cloud computing is its ability to provide high scalability and reliability. Organizations can access computing resources from anywhere at any time, which enhances operational efficiency and supports business continuity. Additionally, cloud computing reduces the need for maintaining expensive data centers and technical staff, allowing businesses to focus on their core activities.
Challenges and Research Directions
Despite its advantages, cloud computing is still in its infancy, with several challenges that need to be addressed. Key issues include security, reliability, and energy efficiency of cloud infrastructures . There is also a need for better management of cloud resources to ensure scalable and elastic service delivery. Research is ongoing to develop cloud aggregation architectures that enable collaboration and interoperability among different cloud providers.
Cloud Computing in Different Sectors
Cloud computing is not limited to IT; it is also transforming other industries, such as manufacturing. In the manufacturing sector, cloud computing enables the creation of intelligent factory networks and supports the alignment of product innovation with business strategy. This model, known as cloud manufacturing, allows for the centralized management of distributed resources, providing services ranging from product design to testing and management.
Performance Analysis for Scientific Computing
While cloud computing offers numerous benefits, it faces challenges in supporting scientific computing workloads. Current commercial clouds are optimized for web and small database workloads, which differ significantly from the demands of scientific computing. Performance penalties due to virtualization and resource time sharing are significant concerns. Research indicates that substantial improvements are needed for cloud computing to be viable for scientific applications.
Conclusion
Cloud computing represents a significant shift in how computing resources are managed and utilized. While it offers numerous benefits, including scalability, cost savings, and operational efficiency, several challenges remain. Ongoing research and development are crucial to address these issues and fully realize the potential of cloud computing across various sectors. As the technology matures, it is expected to play an increasingly vital role in the future of IT and beyond.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic