ABSTRACT
Cloud computing is basically an internet based network made up of large number of servers – mostly based on open standards, modular and inexpensive. It reduces the time required to procure heavy resources and boot new server instances in minutes, allowing one to quickly scale capacity, both up and down, as ones requirement changes. Clouds contain vast amounts of information and provide a variety of services to large numbers of people. The benefits of cloud computing are Reduced Data Leakage, Decrease evidence acquisition time , they eliminate or reduce service downtime , they Forensic readiness , they Decrease evidence transfer time . The main factor to be discussed is security of cloud computing, which is a risk factor involved in major computing fields. The typical characteristic of this technology:
Cloud computing customers do not generally own the physical infrastructure serving as host to the software platform in question. Instead, they avoid capital expenditure by renting usage from a third-party provider. The entire onus lies on the service provider who owns the huge scalable and variable host of infrastructure, software and bundle of other services. Cloud computing consumers consume resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use. Many cloud-computing offerings employ the utility computing model, which is analogous to how traditional utility services (such as electricity) are consumed, while others bill on a subscription basis. Sharing "perishable and intangible" computing power among multiple tenants can improve utilization rates, as servers are not unnecessarily left idle . This paper provides brief details about the cloud computing with an overview of key features to give a glimpse about the new focused technology.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION:
Cloud computing is Internet ("cloud") based development and use of computer technology ("computing"). Cloud computing represents the latest step in a half century of computing technology evolution, beginning with the mainframe and then client-server, PC, Internet, and mobility.
In concept, it is a paradigm shift whereby details are abstracted from the users who no longer need knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them.
Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption and delivery model for IT services based on Internet, and it typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources as a service over the Internet.[1]
2. WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?
Cloud computing is a paradigm that focuses on sharing data and computations over a scalable network of nodes. Examples of such nodes include end user computers, data centers, and Web Services. We term such a network of nodes as a cloud. An application based on such clouds is taken as a cloud application.
Cloud computing is emerging at the convergence of three major trends such as service orientation, virtualization and standardization of computing through the Internet. Cloud computing enables users and developers to utilize services without knowledge of, expertise with, nor control over the technology infrastructure that supports them. The concept generally incorporates combinations of the following:
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Platform as a service (PaaS) Software as a service (SaaS)
Users avoid capital expenditure (CapEx) on hardware, software, and services when they pay a provider only for what they use. Consumption is billed on a utility (e.g. resources consumed, like electricity) or subscription (e.g. time based, like a newspaper) basis with little or no upfront cost.
Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet.
It is used to describe both a platform and type of application.
Cloud