1.INTRODUCTION Cloud computing is the next natural step in the evolution of on-demand information technology services and products.

To a large extent cloud computing will be based on virtualized resources. The idea of cloud computing is based on a very fundamental principal of `reusability of IT capabilities`. The difference that cloud computing brings compared to traditional concepts of .grid computing., .distributed computing., .utility computing., or .autonomic computing. is to broaden horizons across organizational boundaries.

According to the IEEE Computer Society Cloud Computing is:

"A paradigm in which information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include desktops, entertainment centers, table computers, notebooks, wall computers, handhelds, etc."

Though many cloud computing architectures and deployments are powered by grids, based on autonomic characteristics and consumed on the basis of utilities billing, the concept of a cloud is fairly distinct and complementary to the concepts of grid, SaaS, Utility Computing etc. In theory, cloud computing promises availability of all required hardware, software, platform, applications, infrastructure and storage with an ownership of just an internet connection.

People can access the information that they need from any device with an Internet connection including mobile and handheld phonesrather than being chained to the desktop. It also means lower costs, since there is no need to install software or hardware..

Cloud computing used to posting and sharing photos on orkut, instant messaging with friends maintaining and upgrading business technology

2.Concepts

A powerful underlying and enabling concept is computing through service-oriented architectures (SOA) - delivery of an integrated and orchestrated suite of functions to an end-user through composition of both loosely and tightly coupled functions, or services - often network based. Related concepts are component-based system engineering, orchestration of different services through workflows, and virtualization.

2.a) Cyber infrastructure

Cyber infrastructure makes applications dramatically easier to develop and deploy, thus expanding the feasible scope of applications possible within budget and organizational constraints, and shifting the scientists and engineers effort away from information technology development and concentrating it on scientific and engineering research. Cyber infrastructure also increases efficiency, quality, and reliability by capturing commonalities among application needs, and facilitates the efficient sharing of equipment and services.

Today, almost any business or major activity uses, or relies in some form, on IT and IT services. These services need to be enabling and appliance-like, and there must be an economy of- scale for the total-cost-of-ownership to be better than it would be without cyber infrastructure. Technology needs to improve end-user productivity and reduce Technology-driven overhead

2.b). Service-Oriented Architecture

SOA is not a new concept, although it again has been receiving considerable attention in recent years [e.g., Bel08, IBM08a]. Examples of some of the first network-based service-oriented architectures are remote procedure calls (RPC), DCOM and Object Request Brokers (ORBs) based on the CORBA specifications . A more recent example are so called .Grid Computing. architectures and solutions . In an SOA environment end-users request an IT service (or an integrated collection of such services) at the desired functional, quality and capacity level, and receive the reponse at the time requested or at a specified later time. Service discovery, brokering, and reliability are important .Goal of the SOA is that creating an architecture in which servises are able to communicate using http protocol It is expected that in the next 10 years, service-based solutions will be a major vehicle for delivery of information and other IT assisted functions at both individual and organizational levels.

e.g., software applications, web-based services, personal and business .desktop. computing.

3.Cloud Architecture

Cloud architecture the systems architecture of the software systems involved in the delivery of cloud computing, comprises hardware and software designed by a cloud architect who typically works for a cloud integrator. It typically involves multiple cloud components communicating with each other over application programming interfaces, usually web services. Is closely resembles the Unix philosophy of having multiple programs doing one thing well and working together over universal interfaces. Complexity is controlled and the resulting

systems are more manageable than their monolithic counterparts.

Cloud architecture extends to the client, where web browsers and/or software applications access cloud applications. Cloud storage architecture is loosely coupled, where metadata operations are centralized enabling the data nodes to scale into the hundreds, each independently delivering data to applications or users 400px-CloudComputingSampleArchitecture

3.a) Cloud Types

Public cloud: Public cloud or external cloud describes cloud computing in the traditional mainstream. Public clouds are run by third parties, and applications from different customers are likely to be mixed together on the clouds servers, storage systems, and networks. A public cloud provides services to multiple customers.

Working Of Cloud Computing:

Cloud Computing system can be divided it into two sections: the front end and the back end. They connect to each other through a network, usually the Internet. Thefront end is the side the computer user, or client, sees.The back end is the "cloud" section of the system. On the back end there are various computers,servers and data storage systems that create the "cloud" of computing services.A central server administers the system, monitoring traffic and client demands to ensure everything runs smoothly. It follows a set of rules called protocols Servers and remote computers do most of the work and store the data.

Merits & Demerits:

Merits: Cloud enabler technologies like utility computing, Grid Computing, RTI, web infrastructure and others are cloud enabled.

1. Infrastructure service providers are taking advantage of the Cloud services. 2. Information services, entertainment-oriented services such as video on demand, simple business services such as customer authentication or identity management and contextual services such as location or mapping services are positioned well by using the service. 3. Other services, such as corporate processes (for example, billing, deduction management and mortgage calculation) and transactional services (for example, fiscal transactions), would take longer to reach the cloud and the mainstream.

4. Cloud computing infrastructures allows efficient use of their IT hardware and software investments 5. A cloud infrastructure can be a cost efficient model for delivering information services, reducing IT management complexity. 6. The Cloud makes it possible to launch Web 2.0 applications quickly and to scale up applications as much as needed when needed.

Demerits:

Stored data might not be secure: With cloud computing, all our data is stored on the cloud. The

unauthorized users gain access to our confidential data. Dependent on internet connection:Internet connectivity isnt completely stable and reliable. Its not platform agnostic:Most clouds force participants to rely on a single platform or host only one type of product. Can be slow:Even on a fast connection,web based application scan sometimes be slower than accessing a similar software program on our desktop PC

Conclusion

.Cloud. computing builds on decades of research in virtualization, distributed computing, utility computing, and more recently networking, web and software services. It implies a service oriented architecture, reduced information technology overhead for the end-user, great flexibility, reduced total cost of ownership, ondemand services and many other things. In today's global competitive market, companies must innovate and get the most from its resources to succeed. Cloud computing infrastructures are next generation platforms that can provide tremendous value to companies of any size. They can help companies achieve more efficient use of their IT hardware and software investments and provide a means to accelerate the adoption of innovations.Cloud computing increases profitability by improving resource utilization. Costs are driven down by delivering appropriate resources only for the time those resources are needed. Cloud computing has enabled teams and organizations to streamline lengthy procurement processes. Cloud computing enables innovation by alleviating the need of innovators to find resources to develop, test, and make their innovations available to the user community. Innovators are free to focus on the innovation rather than the logistics of finding and managing resources that enable the innovation.