What are Cloud Servers and Digital Infrastructure

Cloud servers play a pivotal role in powering our online experiences and enabling the seamless delivery of applications and services. Think of them as the backbone of modern computing, revolutionizing the way data is stored, processed, and accessed. But what exactly is a cloud server, and how do they work? We’ll be getting stuck into all things cloud servers, looking at how they were developed, how they operate in cloud-based infrastructure, and more.

This article is for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of the mechanics of cloud technology, as well as anyone who wants to refresh their terminology. This is what we’ll be covering:

• Defining what cloud servers are

• Exploring how cloud servers work

• Cloud servers vs. Traditional Servers

• A brief history of cloud servers

• Summing everything up

Definition of a Cloud Server

A cloud server is a virtualized server that runs in a cloud computing environment. Cloud servers are built on virtualization technology. Unlike traditional servers that run on physical hardware inside an organization's premises, these cloud servers are hosted and managed by third-party providers. 

How do Cloud Servers Work?

Cloud servers are based on virtualization technology. This technology allows a single physical server to host multiple virtual servers. This includes cloud servers. Each cloud server then runs as an isolated entity. It has its own operating system and software. It functions independently of specific hardware infrastructure. This means that users can access computing resources, store data, and run applications remotely over the internet.

As cloud servers function independently of specific hardware, they can offer scalable computing resources to users. This makes scalability and resource allocation a whole lot easier, simpler, and cheaper.

The cloud infrastructure supporting cloud servers consists of interconnected servers and data centers distributed across various locations. This distributed computing model enhances reliability and fault tolerance. Data and applications hosted on cloud servers are distributed across multiple servers, ensuring high availability and minimizing the risk of data loss. Let’s take a closer look at the functionality that cloud servers offer.

Cloud Servers vs. On-Prem Servers

Due to their dynamic and scalable capabilities, cloud servers offer functionality that is out of reach for a traditional on-prem server. Let’s compare the two:

What Functionality Do Cloud Servers Provide?

• Virtualization ensures that resources are allocated effectively and that there is flexibility by separating the software environment from the underlying hardware.

• Cloud servers can scale resources as needed. They can quickly allocate more resources like processing power, memory, and storage. Cloud servers can swiftly adapt to these requirements, whether there is a spike in website traffic or a need for more computational power.

• Instead of being standalone entities, cloud servers are actually connected parts of a larger network. This is known as distributed computing. These networks are made up of several servers and data centers that collaborate to provide a solid architecture. The benefit of this means that cloud servers offer high availability and fault tolerance. This is because they distribute your data and applications over numerous servers.

• To improve the accessibility and durability of data, cloud servers use redundancy and data replication strategies. The danger of data loss due to hardware problems or natural disasters is reduced by replicating and storing your data across numerous servers or data centers. Due to this redundancy, apps are always available despite server outages or other technical difficulties.

• To disperse workloads across multiple servers, cloud servers use load balancing strategies. Load balancers optimize resource utilization, avoid overtaxing individual servers, and guarantee peak performance by dynamically allocating jobs. The user experience is improved and efficiency is increased because of this dynamic task distribution.

What Functionality Do On-Prem Servers Offer?

As opposed to being hosted in the cloud or at a third-party facility, on-premises servers are physically situated inside the offices or data centers of an organization.

• Whilst cloud servers are housed in distant data centers that are owned and managed by a cloud service provider, on-premises servers are physically placed within the premises or data center of an organization. On-premises servers are located in a physical place that gives businesses quick access to and control over their infrastructure, whereas cloud servers allow for remote access. 

• The above can be beneficial for sensitive data. It can be hosted on on-site servers by organizations in order to have more control over security precautions and to adhere to specific legal requirements. This enables them to put in place unique access controls and security processes. However, whilst on-premises servers give organizations more control over security, they also necessitate the organization's implementation and upkeep of its own security procedures to guarantee compliance and data protection.

• On-premises servers have limited scalability compared to cloud servers. Scaling up requires additional hardware purchases and physical infrastructure modifications, which can be time-consuming and costly. Scaling down can also be challenging if organizations have invested in excess capacity.

• Due to their physical location, on-premises servers are susceptible to local disturbances like power outages, natural catastrophes, and other unforeseen events. To reduce these risks, organizations must implement their own redundancy and disaster recovery plans, which increases complexity and expense.

• On-site servers can become obsolete due to advancements in technology. Organizations must stay up to date with developments in hardware and software in order to be competitive. This can entail frequent migrations, updates to the software, and improvements to the hardware, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Something to note about cloud servers vs. on-prem servers are the costs involved. Organizations using on-premises servers must buy, set up, and manage their own hardware infrastructure, which may include servers, networking hardware, and storage devices. Organizations essentially rent the computer resources they require from cloud servers, which rely on the infrastructure provided by the cloud service provider.

For on-site servers, there are often large up-front capital costs for infrastructure and hardware as well as recurring expenses for upkeep, electricity, cooling, and upgrades. The pay-as-you-go model used by cloud servers makes it more flexible and cost-predictable because businesses only pay for the resources they use.

However, not all organizations will find on-premises servers to be unsuitable. For certain companies, an on-premises infrastructure may be the best option due to specific requirements or legal restrictions. Some businesses also continue to use legacy systems that are difficult to move to the cloud. On-site servers provide a suitable environment for managed cloud hosting solutions, facilitating seamless integration with modern infrastructure.

A Brief History of Cloud Servers

The concept of remotely sharing computing resources, as well as the early development of computer networking, are both linked to the origins of cloud servers. Here is a quick rundown of the significant turning points and advancements in the history of cloud servers:

• The idea of time-sharing, which allows numerous people to access a single computer system concurrently, arose in the 1960s and 1970s. This established the framework for resource sharing and remote access.

• In the 1980s and 1990s networked computers increased in popularity as the internet expanded. The concept of utility computing was beginning to take shape, which involved offering computing resources as a service.

• In the mid-2000s Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduced scalable and adaptable cloud computing resources with the debut of its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). This was an important turning point in the commercialization of cloud services and the acceptance of cloud servers.

• The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Microsoft Azure, two companies that offer a wide range of cloud services, including cloud servers, joined the cloud computing industry in the 2000s and 2010s. The emergence of open-source initiatives like OpenStack and Kubernetes gave rise to frameworks for organizing and controlling cloud infrastructure.

• In the 2010s, cloud computing became widely used across a number of industries, and cloud servers were an essential part of the digital infrastructure. The growth and creativity in cloud computing were further encouraged by the abundance of cloud service providers and ongoing technological advancements.

• Today cloud servers are still developing and now offer more scalability, flexibility, and reliability. The potential and capabilities of cloud servers are further expanded by the integration of edge computing, artificial intelligence, and hybrid cloud environments.

Conclusion

The functionality provided by cloud servers has changed the computing environment. Cloud servers give organizations a strong and adaptable infrastructure to suit their computing needs. Cloud servers continue to change business operations, boosting savings and obtaining a competitive edge in today's dynamic marketplace, even if organizations must take particular needs and requirements into account.

As a leading cloud infrastructure company, Divio offers tailored solutions that empower businesses to optimize their operations and achieve greater flexibility.