Cloud Computing

Thesis Statement This term paper will discuss the concept of cloud computing, including its strengths and weaknesses. Introduction {text:list-item} Body {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} Conclusion {text:list-item} In a cloud computing system, there's a significant workload shift from the average enterprise network. The term “cloud” refers to the internet, which plays a major part in this architecture. Local computers no longer have to process all the information when it comes to running applications. The network of computers that make up the cloud handles them instead. The only thing the user's computer needs to be able to run is the cloud computing system interface software and the cloud's network takes care of the rest. Cloud computing systems can be divided into two sections, the front end and the back end, which are connected through a network. The front end is the client side. The back end is the "cloud" section of the system. The front end includes the client's computer and the application required to access the cloud computing system. Services like Web-based e-mail programs use existing applications such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Other systems have unique or proprietary applications that provide network access to clients. On the back end of the system are the various computers, servers, and data storage systems that run the networks computing services. Ideally, each application is run on a dedicated server. A central server administers the system, monitoring traffic and client needs. It follows protocols and uses a special kind of software called middleware; allowing the networked computers to communicate with each other. With the proper middleware, a cloud computing system could run all the programs of a normal computer. Potentially, everything from generic word processing software to proprietary programs designed for a specific company could work on a