Comparing Real Clouds to Cloud Computing

Many people believe cloud computing takes place in actual clouds and is therefore affected by the weather. In reality, the clouds in the sky do not affect computers, and information is actually stored in data centers that look nothing like clouds. Even though virtual clouds and real clouds are different, we can compare them in order to learn about cloud computing.

What is a Cloud Made Of?

• Real clouds are made of water.
• Virtual clouds are made of data.

A cloud stores rainwater in same way that cloud computing stores your data. You might be familiar with the cloud computing advertisements that show somebody's valuables inside a picture of a cloud. One truth about cloud computing that's being conveyed in these advertisements is that, just like clouds sit high up in the sky appearing to be safe from any disaster below, so too is the data stored with cloud computing kept in a data center far away from your computer. This makes it safe from any disasters that would strike your business.

How Do You Retrieve What's Inside of a Cloud?

• There's nothing you can do to extract rain from real clouds.
• It's super easy to access your data from a virtual cloud.

With cloud computing, retrieving your data is as easy as connecting to the Internet. You can even use your mobile device to access your data from anywhere, freeing you from your desk. With cloud computing, you can retrieve your data through your personalized and secure account. A real cloud on the other hand is much more stubborn about giving up its content. To make a cloud rain, you can try a rain dance, but even with this there are no guarantees.

What Happens when a Cloud Bursts?

• A cloud in nature will burst when it rains.
• A virtual cloud will burst when traffic spikes.

In this comparison, when a real cloud bursts it's a good thing. The plants are watered and flowers bloom, but when there's a burst with cloud computing, it's a bad situation because you won't be able to access your critical data. A virtual cloud burst happens when there is too much traffic trying to access the network providing your data. If your business can't access the data it needs, then your operations will be shut down.

While there's nothing you can do to prevent it from raining outside, you can prevent a cloud computing burst by asking a potential cloud provider the right questions. You will want to ask them how big their operation is and how they plan to keep up with the growing demands of your business. A cloud computing operation that works hard to keep up with your company's growth, along with the growth of all the other companies they host, will prevent a cloud burst and ensure that your business will have access to the data it needs, even during peak hours.

Virtual clouds and real clouds are very different in many keys ways, but both are great at "making it rain," and by this we mean that cloud computing can make your business more efficient and "make it rain" money, boosting your bottom line. If you want to take advantage of cloud computing for your business, then talk to Computerware. We will assess the needs of your business in order to provide you with a secure cloud solution tailored to meet your needs. We will make sure your cloud solution can be accessed from anywhere and not be in danger of bursting. You can reach us by calling (703) 821-8200, and you can reach a cloud by performing a rain dance.