Cloud Computing and Computing Evolution

Abstract

The term cloud computing is sometimes used to refer to a new paradigm – some authors even speak of a new technology – that offers IT resources and services over the Internet. The technology analysts at Gartner see cloud computing as a so-called “emerging technology” (Fenn et al. 2008) on its way to the hype. When looking at the number of searches for the word pair “cloud computing” undertaken with the Google search engine one can get a feeling of the high interest on the topic. Even terms like “outsourcing”, “Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)” or “grid computing” have already been overtaken (Google 2009). Although, nearly everybody in the IT sector speaks about cloud computing, the concept remains some-what unclear to many. With this contribution we aim to provide an understanding of cloud computing. Starting with a literature review on current definitions of cloud computing we will summarize the core characteristics and suggest a comprehensive definition. We will further examine the evolution of cloud computing from two different perspectives. From a technological point of view we will describe the phe-nomenon’s development, highlighting reoccurring trends in computing history. Eventually we will show, which components constitute the cloud computing concept. Our second perspective draws on the delivery model for information systems that changed through cloud computing. Our understanding of cloud com-puting is that of a new business model, for delivering IT resources and services, flexible, on demand and on a pay-per-use basis. We will conclude our contribution with an estimation about what classes of appli-cations appear to be promising for cloud computing.