Introduction Cloud computing is internet-based computing whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand, like the electricity grid. Cloud computing is a culmination of numerous attempts at large-scale computing with seamless access to virtually limitless resources. On-demand computing, utility computing, ubiquitous computing, autonomic computing, platform computing, edge computing, elastic computing and grid computing. A number of characteristics define cloud data, applications services and infrastructure: Remotely hosted : Services or data are hosted on a remote infrastructure. Ubiquitous : Services or data are available from anywhere. Commodified : The result is a utility computing model similar to traditional of traditional utilities, like gas and electricity; you pay for what you need! Cloud Computing = Software as a Service + Platform as a Service + Infrastructure as a Service. ...