Cloud computing is sometimes referred to as ‘the cloud’. For those who are even afraid to ask their tech-savvy friends, Cloud is a shorthand for the term. Now, let’s discuss what is cloud computing:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a detailed and standard definition of cloud computing: “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

I know it’s pretty hard to digest if you are new to the cloud computing business. So, for an easier way to describe cloud computing, let’s define it as software that acts as storage and runs programs by using someone else’s computers that are built on several servers connected through the internet. Some people get confused about how storage and running programs are possible without a physical server in sight. However, cloud computing is best understood by considering the Internet a global network infrastructure that can reach computers worldwide and act as servers. They are all connected through this switch and provide quality service for end users when accessed through the internet.

How Does Cloud Computing Work?
Cloud computing services are now offered for businesses as the demand for online presence rises. Every service works differently, but many share the features of a user-friendly, browser-based dashboard that you can easily manage, while some even offer multiple options for the developer. Please have IT professionals and developers on your team to ensure the efficiency of ordering resources and managing accounts.

What is Cloud Computing for a Regular End User? 

What is cloud computing is the most common knowledge of non-tech people? You can see how cloud computing works when you access apps from a web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. These apps allow users to save their work online and retrieve it even if they transfer from one endpoint to another, provided an Internet connection. You can access the file through a laptop and later through your phone. Cloud computing makes such accessibility possible. Samples of these applications are Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud. You can even work with someone else on the same document, or one would be viewing the changes you are making now. That sums up what is cloud computing for a regular end user. However, what cloud computing is for businesses is a little different. Let’s see how.

What is Cloud Computing for Businesses? 

Cloud computing for businesses offers additional features, including enhanced security, compliance tools, and enterprise-grade services. It would still be about storage, running applications, accessibility and sharing of computer resources. Since businesses’ websites use services for their online presence, cloud computing provides service on demand, meaning companies get to pay only for the resources they use. This scalability is tempting for many small and medium businesses who need services at a cheaper price. This leads to our next point of discussion: what is cloud computing for Small and Medium Businesses?

What is Cloud Computing for Small and Medium Businesses? 

As businesses take a slice of the virtual space for their existence, the onset and continuous move into the internet for sales made cloud computing an interesting option for entrepreneurs. Before we discuss cloud computing, let’s try to understand the need that brought forth cloud computing, not just for personal use but, more importantly, for business ventures.

The complexity and expense of traditional business applications for network management opened the demand for another option. Imagine the amount and variety of hardware and software you need to run a business and keep it secured. You need an entire team of experts, not just any tech guy, to install, configure, test, run, secure, and update your network as you hold things together for your business to run at its top performance. If you multiply all these tasks by the hundreds of applications your network needs to run, you will need an entire department to ensure the quality of service your system gets.

While large enterprises may have dedicated IT departments, Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) can leverage cloud computing to access enterprise-grade technology and capabilities. Cloud computing provides SMBs with sophisticated IT infrastructure, security, and scalability without requiring extensive in-house IT resources. This enables SMBs to compete effectively, innovate rapidly, and focus on their core business objectives while maintaining operational efficiency. Cloud services offer flexible, pay-as-you-go models that allow businesses of all sizes to access advanced technologies and scale their operations according to their needs.

Suddenly, the paradigm shift occurred when businesses realized cloud computing and how it could be maximized to fuel their e-commerce feat. Now, smaller organizations have access to processing power, storage, and business processes that used to be limited to large enterprises.

What is Cloud Computing Architecture?

Cloud computing architecture is the overall structure that holds and runs the platform. These parts can be complicated and confusing for laymen, but the very basic and main parts of cloud computing architecture are comprehensible. Other topics that concern cloud computing architecture are its types.
People and businesses should have an idea of these concepts so that they are aware of the platform they are employing. These concepts define the cloud.

Parts of Cloud Computing Architecture

In architecture, buildings have significant parts that are necessary for construction. These parts cannot be cut out or added, as any such action could harm a building’s integrity. Cloud computing architecture also has important parts. Any cutouts or add-ins would affect the platform’s integrity. Cloud computing architecture has two major parts. These parts make up the major components that make up the cloud. For this reason, you need to know about these parts. Here they are:

1. Front End of Cloud Computing Architecture. The front end is one of the two significant parts of cloud computing architecture. It is the client side of the platform. It is the cloud computing platform, as the client has seen. This includes the design as it is shown to the client. The front end provides user interfaces, client-side applications, mobile apps, and web interfaces that users interact with to access cloud services, which are also part of the front end. Some cloud providers take great pains to make their services user-friendly for clients.
2. Back End of Cloud Computing Architecture. The provider’s side is at the back end of the cloud computing architecture. This is where the real face of cloud computing architecture is located. The back end consists of servers, storage systems, databases, middleware, security mechanisms, and various computing resources that power cloud services. It includes virtualization, orchestration, automated scaling, and load-balancing components. The service, storage, and application management are also at the back end. This is where providers control, hold and develop the cloud computing platform. Many tasks at the back end manage the traffic that hits the cloud computing platform.
3. Internet and Cloud Computing Architecture.  Network connectivity, primarily through the Internet, is a crucial component of cloud architecture, enabling communication between front-end and back-end components through secure protocols and APIs. But, the Internet plays a huge role in connecting the front end and the back end. Thus, the Internet is a sort of bridge that makes the two major parts work well. Without it, the client will not be able to reach the service provider. The same goes for the other way around.

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Types of Cloud Computing Architecture

The types of cloud computing architecture are based on the main types of cloud computing. These types are distinguished from each other by their ownership. The third-party service provider and the client are the only identifiable owners.

The different ownership arrangements gave rise to the types of cloud computing. In one type, the platform is owned by a service provider; the client only hires them. In another, the client is the sole owner of the platform. There is also a third type, which is sort of a combination of the two mentioned setups.

1. Public Computing Architecture.  In a public cloud computing architecture, a genuine provider-client relationship is established. It is the most common way of building a cloud computing service. In a public cloud, clients avail the services of a provider. Multiple clients share the platform, hence the name public cloud. Providers in this setup offer services to clients through the Internet. Then, clients would also acquire services through the Internet. Public clouds provide scalable, pay-as-you-go services with shared infrastructure managed by major providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
2. Private Cloud Computing Architecture.  In a private cloud computing architecture, the third-party provider does not exist. Private clouds can be hosted on-premises or by third-party providers in dedicated environments, offering enhanced control, security, and compliance capabilities while maintaining cloud computing benefits. The private entity shoulders the maintenance and upgrades of the infrastructure. In this cloud computing architecture, the enterprise uses the platform exclusively. Thus, they have complete control of the platform with no third-party entity to intervene. A private cloud computing architecture would cost a business more. But it guarantees the best security practices for their data. It also has no risk of vendor lock-in.
3. Hybrid Cloud Computing Architecture. As the name suggests, a hybrid cloud computing architecture combines elements of private and public clouds. It has the availability of the public cloud and the adaptability of the private cloud. Some of its parts are managed by the client, and some are also controlled by a third-party services provider. A hybrid cloud computing architecture is quite popular among businesses. As of 2025, hybrid cloud adoption continues to dominate enterprise cloud strategies, with most organizations employing public and private cloud services.