The origins of cloud computing can be found in the 1960s when a proposal for a worldwide network was first made. As a result, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) provided $2 million to fund Project MAC at MIT in 1963.

MIT was tasked to develop new technology enabling at least two people to use one personal computer. PCs used tape reels for memory at the time, and it was the precursor to modern cloud computing

Virtualization allows the creation of a virtual machine, which functions like a computer. The concept of virtualization has progressed with the advances on the Internet. In 1972, IBM offered the VM (virtual machine) operating system. In the 1990s, a handful of media companies began offering virtualized private networks (VPNs). By 1996, cloud computing was growing to become an important resource for many enterprises.

Nowadays, cloud services are widespread and readily available to businesses large and small. Cloud offerings are classified by their usage requirements, which are further classified as personal, public, private, or hybrid.

Personal Cloud

To utilize a personal cloud, all that a user needs is the ability and willingness to store documents online rather than in their computer’s hard drive. Modern personal cloud offerings allow users to carry out a wide variety of activities online including syncing devices, sharing data, and accessing content from smartphones.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of using a personal cloud while carrying out these activities is speed. Another key benefit is stronger security protection. Cloud storage services like Google Drive take extra precautions to protect user data from cyberattacks.

The services of enterprise cloud providers are accessible through several business models. The three most prevalent types are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Typical engineering revolves around a software-defined or virtualized structure.

The personal cloud uses a cloud computing service model, wherein technical administration is performed over the internet. The offerings of cloud storage providers are typically determined by the volume of storage desired. However, additional applications and features may also be included. Typical tiers are free, freemium (limited/basic features at no cost to users with advanced/supplemental features available for a fee), or a monthly membership subscription.

Part 2 will discuss the Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud.

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