A Look Behind the Curtain (Cloud Computing Tutorial 2)
This is the second of an evolving multi-part tutorial series on cloud computing. To start at the beginning, click here.
In my last post I discussed what the cloud is in some pretty simple terms. You know, how I actually explained it to my Mom. Of course, this meant that I left out of lot of detail on what happens to make the cloud actually work. Today we’ll delve a little deeper and explore some of the terms and technologies behind the curtain.
As I’ve already written, the cloud can be broken into three pretty big areas: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (SaaS). Big words, easily understandable – if you don’t know what these mean, read my last post for a simple explanation.
Software becomes even softer
Let’s start with Software-as-a-Service. The programs that run on your computer are software – things like Microsoft Word, Quicken, even your browser. You’re probably used to installing software, generally by buying it on CD or downloading from a Web site. The cloud lets software become, well, softer - it no longer has to be on your computer.
