The main difference between cloud computing and distributed computing is that the cloud computing provides hardware, software and other infrastructure resources over the internet while the distributed computing divides a single task among multiple computers that are connected via a network to achieve the task faster than using an individual computer.
Cloud computing helps to access hardware and software resources remotely via the network. It provides advantages such as easy resource sharing, cost reduction, scalability, and platform independence. A distributed computing, on the other hand, is a network with multiple computers to achieve a goal. Each computer in the network performs a section of the overall tasks. This method helps to obtain results faster than using a single computer. It provides advantages such as scalability, redundancy and resource sharing.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Cloud Computing
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Distributed Computing
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Cloud Computing and Distributed Computing
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cloud Computing, Deployment Models, Distributed Computing, Service Models
What is Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to manipulating, configuring and accessing hardware and software resources remotely. Business organizations can directly connect to the cloud to access the necessary resources. This is beneficial for organizations as it helps to reduce cost and to do scaling according to the business requirements.
There are two types of cloud computing models. They are deployment models and service models. Deployment models represent the access to the cloud. They are public, private, community and hybrid. The general public has access to the services in the public cloud. An organization has the access to the services of a private cloud. The community cloud is available for a group of organizations. Finally, the hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud. Here, the private cloud performs the vital activities while the public cloud performs the other activities.
Figure 1: Cloud computing
There are three types of service models. They are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides resource such as virtual machines, virtual storage, etc. PaaS provides the runtime environments and development and deployment tools. Furthermore, SaaS help to use software as a service.
Overall, cloud computing provides efficiency, platform independence and cost reduction. On the other hand, there can be security and privacy issues and isolation failures.
What is Distributed Computing
Distributed computing is the technique that divides a single task into multiple tasks and distributes them over several computers. These computers can communicate and coordinate the activities by exchanging messages through the network. Each computer in the distributed system is called a node. A set of nodes form a cluster. Telephone networks, automated teller machine in banks, industrial control systems are some systems that use distributed computing.
Overall, distributed computing helps to solve complex tasks. Moreover, it provides scalability and resource sharing. However, there are some drawbacks. There can be network and security issues. Furthermore, it can be difficult to develop distributed systems.
Difference Between Cloud Computing and Distributed Computing
Definition
Cloud computing is the computing technique that delivers hosted services over the internet. Distributed computing is the computing technique that allows multiple computers to communicate and coordinate work by passing messages through the network to achieve a common task.
Usage
Cloud computing provides services such as hardware, software resources through the internet. Distributed computing helps to achieve computational tasks faster than using a single computer. Each computer in the distributed system performs a portion of the overall task.
Conclusion
The difference between cloud computing and distributed computing is that the cloud computing provides hardware, software and other infrastructure resources over the internet while the distributed computing divides a single task among multiple computers that are connected through a network to achieve the task faster than using an individual computer. These two technologies are vital in the modern world to achieve business goals. However, they can cause network and security issues.
Reference:
1.“Cloud Computing Overview.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Tutorials Point, 8 Jan. 2018, Available here.
2. Nath, Keshab. “Distributed Computing.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 23 Apr. 2013, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cloud Computing” by Jane Boyko (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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