What is Cloud Server?
A cloud server can be defined as a hosted (virtual typically) compute server. It can be accessed via users on the network. These servers are expected to provide similar functions, and same performance aspects as that of physical servers that can execute in any local data center. It can support similar applications and OSes (operating systems). Often, cloud servers are assigned as virtual private servers, virtual servers, or virtual platforms.
It is delivered, hosted, and built by cloud computing platform by the internet, and can be remotely accessed. Cloud servers contain each software they need to execute and can work as various independent units.
The cloud servers are powerful virtual or physical infrastructure that implements information and application processing storage. These servers can be built with virtualization software for dividing a physical server (bare metal) into more than one virtual server.
The enterprises apply an IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model for processing store and workloads data. They can also access the functions of the virtual server remotely by the online interface.
What is Cloud?
Commonly, a cloud is referred to as various servers linked to the internet that could be leased as a segment of an application or software service. The cloud-based services may contain web hosting, application or software use, data sharing and hosting. Also, the cloud can introduce cloud computing.
In cloud computing, various servers are connected for sharing the load. It means that rather than using a single robust machine, complicated processes could be shared among multiple computers.
One of the most important aspects of cloud storage is, several distributed resources performing as one. These resources are often known as the federated storage clouds.
It makes all the clouds very fault-tolerant because of the data distribution. Application of the cloud intended to reduce the file version creation because of shared access to data, files, and documents.
Types or Cloud Server
An organization can select from various cloud server types. Three main models are discussed and explained below:
- Public Cloud Servers: One of the most widely used expressions of any cloud server is a compute instance or a VM (virtual machine). The providers of public cloud host on their infrastructure can distribute to users around the internet with a web-based console or interface.
Broadly, this infrastructure is called IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). The cloud server has some common examples include Google Compute Engine instances, Azure instances, and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud instances.
- Private Cloud Servers: The cloud servers can also be defined as a compute instance in a private cloud (on-premises). In such situation, an enterprise distributes the cloud server to various internal users among the Local Area Network (LAN). While in some other situations, it can also distribute to various external users crosswise the internet.
The main difference between the private cloud server and the hosted public cloud server is that the hosted public cloud server exists in the infrastructure of an organization, while the public cloud server is operated and owned outside of the organization.
- Dedicated Cloud Servers: The providers of a cloud server can supply various physical cloud servers in addition to the virtual cloud servers also called bare-metal servers. Essentially, these servers dedicate the physical server of a cloud provider to any user.
Also, the dedicated cloud servers are known as dedicated instances and are generally used if an enterprise must expand the custom virtualization layer. They mitigate the security and performance concerns that usually follow the multi-tenant cloud server.
Features of Cloud Server
The features of cloud server are listed below:
- A cloud server is available in a broad range of compute options along with changeable amounts of memory and processor resources.
- It allows the user to choose a type of instance that fits the requirements of a particular workload.
- It is possible to detect the instances of a cloud server that are designed to particular workload needs like compute-optimized instances that add multiple processors relevant to the memory amount.
- It is common for classic physical servers for including storage while most of the public cloud servers don’t include any storage resource.
- Cloud providers facilitate storage as an isolated cloud service like Google Cloud Storage and Amazon Simple Storage Service.
- A user associates and provisions storage instances with many cloud servers for holding content like application data and VM images.
Benefits of Cloud Servers
There are various important benefits of using any cloud server. The cloud server provides their best benefits which are discussed and explained as follows:
- Increased Security: The security of data is a priority whether we are the technical specialist or not. A cloud-based environment does not focus on the specific hardware. The data of our company will be secured and resides in the cloud, if we especially utilizing the features of the security such as Two-factor authentication or Single-sign On.
Additionally, the transfers of files will be more protected. Hence, each data will be secured in the cloud.
- Centralized Collaboration: Due to our data is centralized in the cloud platform. We can cooperate with others regarding any project and share our work easily. Communication between us and our colleagues is efficient, effective, and accelerated.
Regardless of the supplier and client setup of our company, everyone applies the similar file inside a similar format within a similar place. Also, it develops project consistency and organization. We can integrate the toolset of our existing technology with the cloud platform. It facilitates transferring data easily by connectors and APIs along with an option for automating processes.
- Access from whenever and wherever: Users can authenticate their accounts anytime and anywhere with the cloud technology platform. Projects can be implemented on more than one device using an internet connection. Due to the users are not tied down to any particular location, workers will have more flexibility and freedom.
Cloud servers include zero downtime formation so the systems can be automatically upgraded even while various users are applying the platform permitting continuous workflow.
- Scalability: Many cloud servers contain the aspect of scalability. It means that they can accommodate in size based on decrease and increase in workload. Cloud servers can accordingly scale-down or scale-up as our organization changes and grows.
Cloud servers are also swiftly adapt to meet our requirements. Also, the cloud service facilitates an option for paying our subscription every month that could be adjusted according to our business requirements.
- Save Money, Save Time: If we are working with a cloud server, it will save money. Cloud servers do not need time-consuming installation of the software. We don’t have to spend a lot of manpower and money on IT maintenance and infrastructure.
By using zero downtime formation, increased mobility of our workforce, effortless collaboration, and many other aspects can enable our workflow to be more efficient and productive.
Drawbacks of Cloud Servers
- If our business is not dependent on instant and uptime data recovery then the costs can outweigh the profits.
- There are some limitations because we can store an amount of data in the cloud which relies on storage and cost availability.
- We will not get access to the information or data if the internet connection fails at the side of the cloud provider or our business.
- If complete data recovery is needed, it will be a time-consuming process and affect our business heavily.
- It can be costly to move from any legacy system. Also, it takes time and affects operations.
- Another challenge is latency while using the cloud. Businesses often share their server, which can lead to poor performance if our neighbor is data-hungry.
- Cloud Servers are typically targeted by various cybercriminals.
Considerations of Cloud Server
- Physical server vs. virtual server
Physical servers (bare-metal) are good for data-comprehensive workloads, while virtual servers are good for highly volatile workloads.
- Virtualization
A cloud server can be of two types virtual or physical. Some of the options of virtualization software include Hyper-V, Parallels, and VMware.
- Customization
There are a lot of options available, contained by physical servers such as backup power, additional RAM, and more processing power.
- Security
Various options of security for many cloud servers are available. Some of these options are host intrusion protection, monitoring, antivirus software, and firewalls.