Cloud Computing, Virtualization and NAS Storage

Cloud Computing comprises of bringing hosted services on internet. Cloud Computing services are divided into three groups namely, Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Software as a service (SaaS) and Platform as a service (PaaS). Cloud Computing name is taken from the diagram of cloud mostly used in diagrams and flow charts to symbolize Internet. Cloud Computing as infrastructure services provide computer Infrastructure. Basically it provides an environment of platform virtualization as a service. Job of Cloud Computing as service is to simplify maintenance and support by eliminating the need of installing and running application on personal computers. Cloud Computing as a platform serves by providing computing platform. Cloud Computing makes use of applications possible and eliminates cost and difficulty of managing and buying hardware as well as software layers. From the above mention characteristic of Cloud Computing we can conclude that Cloud Computing provide hosted services and simplify maintenance and support, provides platform virtualization and computer infrastructure.

Creating virtual version of something is called Virtualization. Some examples of Virtualization are operating system, storage device or network resources. To view several operating system screens at a time operating system Virtualization can be used. In 2005, unexpected adoption of Virtualization software surprises the expert as well. Virtualization is moving ahead towards three main areas of IT namely, Server Virtualization, Network Virtualization and storage Virtualization.

NAS Storage is a computer data memory at file level connected to a computer network allowing access to various clients. NAS Storage is usually connected to a network which provides file-based storage on the network to other devices. Since 2010 NAS Storage devices are becoming very popular for sharing files among several computers. NAS Storage is networked appliance consisting of one or sometimes more than one hard drives. However, it is technically not impossible that other software cannot run on NAS Storage. NAS Storage and direct attached storage with the help of RAID or clustering can enhance availability of data. However, NAS Storage and DAS are not same. DAS may or may not be networked and is an extension to accessible server. NAS Storage is made with the intention to serve as a solution for sharing files on the network. NAS Storage can serve better than DAS when served on the network.