Cloud computing

Question 1

What is cloud computing?

Answer 1

The on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet

Question 2

What are the two major components of cloud computing?

Answer 2

1. Data centre
2. Software as a Service (SaaS)

Question 3

What is a data centre comprised of?

Answer 3

A room/ buildings filled with many servers (thousands) interconnected through a local area network with close proximity to the internet backbone (50-100kms), optimized on costs of electricity, cooling and land, with experts servicing the computers

Question 4

What are the main costs of data centres?

Answer 4

Electricity - major data centres are #2 consumer of electricity. The closer to the hydro plant the better

Cooling costs - to ensure computers don’t overheat

Real estate - the data centres take up a lot of land