The main difference between cloud and fog computing is where and how the data from devices is processed and stored.
Cloud Computing
The technical term cloud is a group of many computers and servers that are connected to the Internet and work together.
This computing system can be divided into two parts.
Frontend: The frontend is the part of the system that people use, such as their computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Backend: The backend is where data is saved and processed, which is located far away from the devices people use and it is called the cloud.
Cloud computing Services
Cloud computing is a way to use computer technology over the internet. It provides different types of services which are separated into three groups.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS is a type of service provided by cloud computing, where a remote data center is provided with resources such as storage space, power to process data, and networking services.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
PaaS is a service provided by cloud computing that gives a platform with tools and parts to make, test, and launch applications.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS is a service provided by cloud computing that gives ready-made software that is made to fit different types of business needs.
Examples of Cloud Storage
Dropbox, Gmail, and Facebook.
Dropbox is a very popular service that makes it easy to store and access files using the internet. It lets you use the files from any device by using the Dropbox application or website. You get up to 1 Terabyte of storage for free.
Google has a service called Gmail that you can use to send emails. It also stores your emails on the internet, which is called cloud storage. Gmail has made sending emails very popular and is used by many people all over the world.
Facebook is a service where you can store lots of information, pictures, and videos on your profile. You can access all of it from many different devices. Facebook also has a Messenger app where you can exchange information with other people using Facebook.
Pros of Cloud
The connected devices have limited space for data storage and not much power to process data, cloud computing is helpful in working with these devices.
Storage Capacity: Cloud computing can handle a large amount of data because it has a lot of space to store it and the ability to easily increase the storage space as needed. It can also share and combine data from many sources.
Processing Capability: Cloud computing allows to access unlimited resources for processing data on-demand from remote locations.
Cost Reduce: Cloud computing often costs less than having your own equipment and maintaining it because you do not need to pay for expensive licenses or pay for the cost of maintaining the equipment.
Cons of Cloud
Downtime: When using a cloud computing system, there is a risk of technical problems and internet connection issues happening, causing the system to not work. To prevent this, many companies use more than one internet connection and have a backup plan in case one connection fails.
Security and Privacy: When you use cloud computing, your personal information is sent over the internet with a lot of other people’s information. This means there’s a risk of cyberattacks or data loss. To help solve this problem, some companies use hybrid or private clouds which are more secure.
Pricing
Cloud Run is a service that makes you pay only for what you use and it will charge you per 100 milliseconds. Some parts of the service are free. The total amount you will pay for Cloud Run will be the sum of all the resources you used from the provider.
Fog Computing
Fog computing and cloud computing are related to each other. Just like, how fog is closer to the ground than clouds in nature, in technology fog is closer to the people who use it. It brings the benefits of cloud computing closer to the people who use it.
The main difference between fog computing and cloud computing is that cloud is a system that has one main center, while the fog is a system that is spread out and not controlled by one main center.
Fog computing is like a middleman between the device and remote servers. It decides which information should be sent to the server and which can be handled by the device. This way, fog computing is like a smart gate that helps the cloud do its job better by managing data storage, processing, and analysis in a more efficient way.
Examples of Fog Computing
Connected Cars: Cars that can drive themselves are now available to buy. They generate a lot of data that needs to be analyzed and processed quickly, like information about traffic, driving conditions, and weather.
To handle this data quickly, fog computing is used. Other data, like information about how the car is working and its location, is sent directly to the car’s manufacturer. Fog computing makes it possible for the car to communicate with the manufacturer and other cars.
Smart Cities: Fog computing is being used in smart cities to help regulate traffic. Sensors are placed in traffic signals and road barriers to collect information about how cars are moving on the roads.
Pros of Fog Computing
Low Latency: Fog computing is closer to the user and can provide a quick response.
High Security: Fog computing is secure because data is processed by many different connected devices in a complex system that is spread out.
Cons of Fog Computing
Complex System: Fog computing is a more complex system than cloud computing because it adds an extra layer for processing and storing data.
More Expensive: With fog computing, companies may have to spend more money to buy additional equipment like routers, hubs, and gateways.
Pricing
The cost of fog computing varies depending on usage, resources, and provider. Some providers may offer it as a package or a standalone service. The best way to know the cost is to contact the provider for your specific needs.
Conclusion
Concluding, cloud computing has a central location where all the data is processed and stored, while fog computing is spread out and not controlled by one main location, fog computing is located closer to the people or devices using them, for more efficient and quick data processing.
Fog computing works as a mediator between data centers and devices. Because of this, it is closer to the people using it. Without fog computing, the cloud would talk to devices directly, which is time-consuming.
Cloud computing is more powerful than fog computing when it comes to processing data and storing information. while fog computing is more secure than cloud computing because it is spread out and not controlled by one main location, making it less vulnerable to security breaches.
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