The key to the success of cloud computing is the implementation of its architecture. In order for cloud computing to be effective, the two constituents of its architecture (hardware and applications) must work together seamlessly and reliably.
Cloud computing architecture features multiple components that communicate with each other through a network, usually the internet. The two most significant components of cloud computing architecture are known as the front end and the back end.
The front end is the part seen by the client, i.e. the computer user. This includes the client’s network (or computer) and the applications used to access the cloud via a user interface such as Internet Explorer. The back end of the cloud computing architecture is the ‘cloud’ itself, comprising various computers, servers and data storage devices.
The system behind cloud computing architecture is administered by a central server. This monitors network traffic and user demands in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Networked computers communicate with one other by adhering to a set of rules called protocols and deploying a special kind of software called middleware.
At the very core of cloud computing architecture are state-of-the-art data centres, offering optimum storage capacity and resilient performance in a highly robust environment.
Cloud computing service providers with a large client base will experience a high demand for storage space. To prevent downtime in the case of server failure, the architecture needs to accommodate at least double the number of storage devices than are actually required to store all of the clients’ data. A redundant copy is automatically stored on backup machines, enabling the central server to retrieve data that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Find out more about the cloud computing architecture employed by Optim IP
