Questions about Cloud computing and Ubuntu Cloud server?

[metalf8801]

I have an idea of what cloud computing is but I would really like to truly understand

This is what I know or at least think I know please tell me if I'm wrong or if there's more to it.
I believe cloud computing is like using a thin client the programs you are using are not stored or run on the local computer but on a server or group of servers. Also the data is not saved on the local computer but on servers.
Some examples of cloud computer are productivity software such as Google docs. Another example is remote storage such as Ubuntu one or Dropbox.



What can Ubuntu Cloud Sever be used for? Is it just remote storage or is there more to it then that?

Thank you very much I know I'm asking for a lot
Dan

[cariboo]

For info on the Ubuntu cloud server have a look here (http://www.ubuntu.com/cloud).

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

For info on the Ubuntu cloud server have a look here (http://http://www.ubuntu.com/cloud).

There is a problem with that link. Try this one http://www.ubuntu.com/cloud
:)

[Paqman]

I have an idea of what cloud computing is but I would really like to truly understand


There's no official definition of cloud computing, it's a vague term used to refer to several things.

It can mean software-as-a-service and/or online apps like webmail or Google Docs. At the extreme end of that you could have a thin client type setup. Chrome OS leans strongly in that direction.

It can also refer to heavily virtualised environments, where virtual machines are used across a pool of hardware. A lot of hosting is done this way, customers rent a virtual private server instead of an actual machine. Large scale clouds such as Amazon's EC2 take this to extremes, where you basically have a single massive pool of available computing power, and people pay to use as much or as little of the power of the cloud as they need.

[gletob]

nvrmnd

plz hold for a new response

[Dragonbite]

From what I gather, it Cloud computing depends on what level you are looking at

For System Administrators, Cloud computing seems to be something akin to cluster computing, where the load is spread out among nodes and more can be spun up when the need arises.

For Users it means that everything you need is available online. For example, storing a Word document online which people have to download and use local applications isn't while opening Google Docs and doing the work and saving the files online is. A Wiki is a form of cloud computing as the tool for designing it and creating it is located on the web as opposed to download/upload model.

For Developers it means buildign it with the idea of being all self-contained and native-application like feel.

That's just the way I look at it.

[kevin11951]

There's no official definition of cloud computing, it's a vague term used to refer to several things.

It can mean software-as-a-service and/or online apps like webmail or Google Docs. At the extreme end of that you could have a thin client type setup. Chrome OS leans strongly in that direction.

It can also refer to heavily virtualised environments, where virtual machines are used across a pool of hardware. A lot of hosting is done this way, customers rent a virtual private server instead of an actual machine. Large scale clouds such as Amazon's EC2 take this to extremes, where you basically have a single massive pool of available computing power, and people pay to use as much or as little of the power of the cloud as they need.

QFT...

*shudders* may i never use that acronym again!