The "Cloud" - What is it?

The “cloud” is generally defined as a network of remote third-party computers or host “servers” that provide resources, data, services, or programs to other client guest computers.  For many, that is an amorphous definition hard to unravel, but the “cloud” need not be so difficult to understand.  For starters, “servers” are named because they serve something or someone else, such as data, users, or other guest computers.   Most offices with multiple employees have a series of individual desktop “guest” computers or laptops that are linked together through one or more central “servers”.  

Now think of the host “server” in your office changing roles by becoming a guest server.  The server in your office reaches out to a third-party host server over the internet to perform work for it in a Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn sort of way. The server in your office serves a dual role: a host to guest computers in your office, and a guest to host servers at data centers in the “cloud”.  The network forming the “cloud” consists of thousands of remote host servers located within data centers around the world linked together to form a “digital eco-system” that serves their guest computers. [See, “America's Growing Addiction to Data Centers!”, posted 2/28/24]. The digital eco-system forming the  “cloud" is primarily hosted within public and private data centers made available for hire. The cloud is not located within and does not invade “servers” and computers located in homes or businesses.  Rather, the “cloud” is located in data centers or “server farms”, and allows ready access to files, data, and applications from any computer or device with an internet connection.  

Many draw an analogy between the “cloud” and the internet because the “cloud” allows for storage and computing services through data centers accessed over the internet.  But the two are separate and distinct.  The internet is a “data highway system” that connects a guest computer to multiple destination host servers around the World, containing databases that can answer virtually any question.  In contrast, the “cloud” is a destination host server that can be accessed at some defined address along the “internet highway”, not accessible without permission.   Moreover, the internet is free and has no tolls, whereas guest computers must pay a fee, either directly or indirectly, to gain access to host servers on the “cloud”.   Once the guest computer gains access to the “cloud” over the internet, it can use the “digital ecosystem” to store, compute, process, and analyze data.  

Almost every data center or “server farm”, hosting a “cloud” is supported by three (3) principal software systems used to manage, monitor, and communicate between the guest and host computers.  First, there is “cloud” operating system or COS that manages all software and hardware associated with the “cloud” and manages all resident memory and processes in the host computer.   Second, there is a “cloud” management platform or CMP that allows the guest computer to monitor and control all aspects of the “cloud” within the host computer.  Third, there is a “cloud” application programming interface or CAPI that allows software programs or applications to, process, communicate, and transfer data within host computers supporting the “cloud” or between “clouds”.  

Some host computers supporting “clouds” also include virtualization software (i.e. VS) and automation software (i.e. AS).  Think of VS as a tool that allows a host computer to become a guest upon another server or create a partition within its own memory.  VS creates and runs virtual machines or VM's (i.e. guests) by creating multiple simulated environments (i.e. dedicated resources) partitioned from a single hardware system (i.e. hosts) that are separate, distinct and secure within the “cloud”.  VM's pool resources such as CPU, memory, and storage thereby maximizing available resources making the “cloud” more efficient.  AS recognizes repetitive cycles within the “cloud” and creates systems that replace repeatable processes and reduce or eliminate the need for human intervention.  AS automates systems within the “cloud” to make processing more efficient. VS and AS reduce the amount of computers and servers in data centers and therefore the costs incurred by the guest computers and end users. 

There are three (3) types of “clouds”: public, private, and hybrid clouds.   A public “cloud” is is a data center made available to anyone seeking to buy services from a third-party vendor.  These third-party vendors provide on demand computing, resource pooling, scalability, on a pay-per-use basis.  A private “cloud” is a dedicated data center generally located on the premises of the user, rather than in a third-party location.  Onsite servers allow for increased security, customized infrastructure, and seamless integration between guest and host computers.  A hybrid “cloud” is intended to combine the best attributes of public and private “clouds”, by offering security, flexibility of storage and computing, based upon a balance between on-site and third-party data centers.

As is the case with most every rapidly evolving technology, laws surrounding “cloud” infrastructure lag far behind the technology itself.  As a result, state and federal courts typically attempt to “shoehorn” the application of pre-existing laws to govern the issues surrounding the “cloud” infrastructure. Most of these laws speak to security issues surrounding access and the protection of data residing upon the “cloud” as opposed to other matters of infrastructure.  Currently, the CLOUD Act or CA, clarifying lawful overseas use of data is the only law developed to specifically address issues surrounding the “cloud”.   The CA authorizes law enforcement to access data stored in host computers supporting the “cloud” wherever located, as well as protecting content from disclosure not otherwise protected.  

The next time your children, friends, or a coworker tell you its up in the “cloud”,  you will know what that means.