An Internet Computing Definition
An Internet Computing Definition
A Find & Replace of the Word "Cloud" with the Word "Internet" based on the Draft NIST
Working definition of Cloud Computing
Note 1: Internet computing is still an evolving paradigm. Its definitions, use cases, underlying
technologies, issues, risks, and benefits will be refined in a spirited debate by the public and
private sectors. These definitions, attributes, and characteristics will evolve and change over
time.
Note 2: The Internet computing industry represents a large ecosystem of many models, vendors,
and market niches. This definition attempts to encompass all of the various Internet approaches.
Internet computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared
pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and
services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or
service provider interaction. This Internet model promotes availability and is composed of five
essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
Essential Characteristics:
On-demand self-service. A consumer can unilaterally provision computing
capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically
without requiring human interaction with each service’s provider.
Broad network access. Capabilities are available over the network and accessed
through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick
client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).
Service Models:
Internet Software as a Service (SaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is
to use the provider’s applications running on a Internet infrastructure. The
applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client
interface such as a Internet browser (e.g., Internet-based email). The consumer
does not manage or control the underlying Internet infrastructure including
network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application
configuration settings.
Deployment Models:
Private Internet. The Internet infrastructure is operated solely for an organization.
It may be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on premise
or off premise.
Note: Internet software takes full advantage of the Internet paradigm by being service
oriented with a focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability.