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Curious about the difference between cloud computing and storage? The two both use cloud-based remote sever capabilities, but in different ways. Here’s what the two terms mean, and how they are used in the real world. You’ll understand what is iCloud before you know it. You should also know what is cloud storage.
When you hear about cloud storage, you probably think of sharing files for business or saving music so you can listen to it from multiple devices. These are only a couple of the many uses for cloud storage, a way of using a hard drive over the Internet to store data.
Whether you are talking about what is iCloud, Google Drive, Box, or Dropbox, the cloud storage definition is similar: Data is upload through your Internet connection to remote servers in the cloud. Once the data is stored there, it can typically be accessed from multiple connected devices and shared with others.
Professionally, businesses use cloud storage to save and share documents and widely used files. Personally, people use cloud storage to manage their email and save media. It is also very handy as a data backup solution that can assist in disaster recovery. When compared to traditional hard drive management, cloud storage also tends to be cheaper and more flexible. The key components of cloud storage include:
While cloud storage is used to hold data, cloud computing is used to complete specific digital tasks. Essentially, instead of using remote server storage space alone, you are using processing power to get something done. What you can do with this processing power depends on the service…and the sky is the limit. Cloud computing is typically more useful to businesses than individuals. But individuals may benefit from some of the best free cloud music storage services.
In most cloud computing applications, data is sent to remote processors via the Internet, the process is completed, and the resulting data is sent back. A frequent example is SaaS or Software as a Service, where you use a software interface but the bulk of software activity is carried out remotely instead of by your own computer.
Cloud computing still has plenty of untapped potential. It allows even small companies to offer their services to a broad audience via an app or website, so many service startups use cloud computing and continue to come up with new, interesting uses. Businesses are finding it increasingly cost-effective to move more and more applications – and entire desktops – into the cloud instead of relying on individual computer capabilities. Major features of cloud computing include: