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glossary of cloud terms


There are a number of confusing and bewildering terms used in technology and since the cloud became a real thing, those terms have expanded to encompass everything we do online and in a cloud service. Here's a quick list of some of the terms you're likely to come across as you explore cloud technologies further. Needless to say, the industry loves its terminology, so expect many more as you delve deeper.


AGILITY

Refers to the faster implementation of IT within a company,


AIRFRAME

An open source cloud platform that's targeted at businesses in the thinking stages of adopting a private cloud service model.


BACKUP AS A SERVICE

Another form of online mass storage, where a company can effectively backup its entire systems data to the cloud. This service is of interest to audits, as off-site backups are secure and safe from accidental damage


CLOUD

The Cloud, an online set of services that's globally connected and allows individuals and businesses to interact with


CLOUD BACKUP

Being able to back up your data to a cloud storage service.

Used by both consumer and businesses alike. Offers support for multiple platforms and operating systems, from computers to mobile devices and even games consoles.


CLOUD BROKER

A company that liaises between several cloud service providers and clients to help find the best provision.


CLOUD BURST

A hybrid cloud deployment feature, whereby a private cloud is able to use public cloud resources when demand for computing tasks spikes.


CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE

The physical hardware, software and connectivity that makes up a cloud-based datacentre. The servers, apps, networking and so on.


CLOUD PYRAMIDS

A visualisation of a cloud provider’s infrastructure that shows, usually via colour coding, the services it offers on different platforms.


CLOUD SERVICE

The solution that's offered from a remote, cloud server. That can be storage, email and so on, or be categorised as Private, Public or Hybrid.


CLOUD SERVICE PROVIDER

The company that provides cloud-based solutions such as

storage, email, virtualisation and more. The company may or may not own its datacentre and cloud infrastructure.


CLOUD STORAGE

Online mass storage, housed on servers in datacentres, with quotas set for those who utilise the storage.


CLUSTER

A group of linked computers that work together as if they were a single computer, for high availability and or load balancing.


COMMUNICATIONS AS A SERVICE

Cloud-based telecoms, messaging, video conferencing services. The likes of Skype, Facebook and Twitter come under the CAAS heading.


DESKTOP AS A SERVICE

A form of cloud-based remote working, whereby a user can access their desktop from any Internet connected device, regardless of the device's operating system.


DATABASE AS A SERVICE

Cloud housed and driven database, freeing up the company's investment in in-house hardware and significantly lowering power costs.


DATACENTRE

A self-sufficient building with specialised climate control where lines of servers are housed. The servers work in a cluster providing the various cloud services.


ELASTICITY

The ability for a cloud service to expand or retract its services depending on the demand to its servers


GAMING AS A SERVICE

Cloud driven gaming servers that host games for multiple platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox, etc. and provide unique gamer-specific rewards, trophies and events


HYBRID CLOUDS

A cloud service that uses public and private clouds, as well as in-house hardware to provide cloud services.


HOSTED APPLICATIONS

A web-based application that runs on a remote server, hosted in the cloud. The same as Software as a Service.


INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE

A cloud model that provides users with a virtual server and network. The online server can be accessed from any Internet-connected device.


MOBILE CLOUD STORAGE

Simply a service that's designed to house mobile data storage for an individual or business.


NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology. Founded in 1901, NIST provides standards for most electronic and digital services.


PLATFORM AS A SERVICE

A cloud model that provides developers with a coding platform to program new apps. The platforms can be any operating system, offering greater scope for multi-OS app development.


PUBLIC CLOUD

A cloud service that's available to everyone, providing everything from email, storage, virtualisation and collaboration.


PRIVATE CLOUD

A cloud service that's managed by a single business, providing the same duties as a public cloud but having exclusive access to the business only.


SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE

A cloud model that provides online access to software such as productivity apps, email, etc.


SERVICE MIGRATION

The act of moving all your company, or individual, data from one cloud service to another. Can also mean moving from all in-house to a cloud-based service provider


VIRTUALISATION

Creates an image of an operating system on virtual hardware. Users can create virtual machines for any hardware type, using them to develop or test on.

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