What is the key concept of cloud computing?

The key concept of cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources—such as storage, servers, databases, networking, software, and analytics—over the internet (“the cloud”), rather than on local servers or personal devices. This allows users to access and use these resources on-demand without the need to invest in and manage physical infrastructure.

Key Elements of Cloud Computing:

1. On-Demand Self-Service: Users can provision computing resources, such as servers or storage, as needed without human intervention.

2. Broad Network Access: Resources are accessible over the internet from a variety of devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones, tablets).

3. Resource Pooling: Cloud providers pool computing resources to serve multiple customers, with these resources dynamically allocated based on demand.

4. Scalability and Elasticity: Cloud services can scale up or down automatically to meet changing demands, providing flexibility for workloads with variable requirements.

5. Measured Service (Pay-as-You-Go): Cloud computing operates on a metered basis, where users are charged based on the actual consumption of services, optimizing costs.

Cloud computing enables businesses to scale resources quickly, avoid capital expenses on infrastructure, and increase operational flexibility, which are the fundamental reasons why it's widely adopted in modern IT environments.

Sources:

• AWS Cloud Computing Overview
• Microsoft Azure Documentation
• Google Cloud Fundamentals