5 Steps to Building Cloud Computing Architecture

Cloud Computing Architecture is getting attention nowadays. And for good reasons might I say. It’s beneficial for businesses to start on data migration process soon. Hosting cloud applications makes solutions more scalable, modularized, and accessible.

With the right implementation, the cloud infrastructure is more reliable and secure than traditional computing. So, the, “Why use cloud computing?” is answered by businesses individually as the list is quite long.

What Is Cloud Structure?

Cloud Computing is a well-known term today, and you could’ve heard “we moved to the cloud” one too many times. 6 out of 10 businesses moved to the cloud in 2022. Why do organizations need cloud computing services?

The main use case is storing information and accessing it from anywhere and at any time. For the tech industry, the use case is building cloud applications when local components are combined with cloud-based technologies.

To answer what cloud application is, imagine two sides of the application: client-side and server-side. Some processes are on the user’s hardware (laptop, smartphone), and some happen on the remote server.

That means no need to strain local storage, and access is through API (Application Programming Interface).

However, the architecture for cloud computing is harder than it seems. To develop a cloud-based application, different software components need to be built and aligned. Also, it isn’t always a technical side but business objectives to choose the optimal cloud environment.

Let’s see the types of Cloud Computing and how to create apps “ready for the cloud”.

Types of Cloud Computing

To have a clear understanding, we have three main concepts in cloud computing:

1. Types of cloud: private, public, hybrid (1 public and 1 private), multi-cloud architecture (two or more public clouds), community clouds

   
   

2. Cloud-service models: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS

   
   

3. Cloud service providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Think of cloud service providers as restaurants and cloud service models as the different types of menus they offer. It depends on what your appetite is. You can choose several or all dishes, but usually, you pick what most suits your taste right now.

The menus in cloud service providers aren’t drastically different, but prices and options vary. If you choose SaaS, it’s full catering so little to no effort on your side. PaaS is majorly used for development teams as it includes everything for application development and management.

IaaS, on the other hand, is just a very basic choice: only a networking infrastructure and storage.

1. Separate the Application Services

If you want to run the application on cloud platforms, it’s best to separate the underlying functions as services. Usually, developers write a tightly coupled application with a user interface, but it won’t be like that on the cloud computing platform.

Many architecture choices for cloud computing are available, but containers and microservices are the best ones so far. The separation gives more flexibility, and it’s easier on development teams. They will have separate services that won’t slow down or stop the development process.

2. Break Up Your Data

Here it is, the same principle as the separate services: Tightly coupled data is uncomfy. Especially if the data is big and unstructured. The analysis becomes a pain to do. So, data needs splitting.

The best result you’ll get is completely autonomous and unaware of each other data sets that can be stored, manipulated, and accesses differently. Decoupled data also help during disaster recovery or data loss.

Most clouds have an array of database services that helps with sorting the data. Cloud-based data analysis tools can do that even more quickly, and some even visualize the structures.

3. Create a Strategy for Data Migration

If you decide to move to the cloud computing architecture, you can’t just subscribe to AWS or GCP, choose the pricing, and download everything. Figuring it out step by step will all depend on how much data you’re moving.

The larger workload, the more steps it will require. Some data needs compression, also cloud providers might advise on the best moving practices. Even before sending data over to the cloud, it needs to be portable and accessible.

The development team should be experienced enough to know all the details.

4. Consider Communication Between Components

To properly architect software for the cloud, the communication between all application layers should be optimized. If the communications occur constantly, it might slow down the application in general. There are several ways to do that.

Mostly though, communications are combined into a single stream of data or a group of messages, rather than constantly communicating like application components are located on a single platform.

5. Security Is Not an Afterthought

Unfortunately, technology isn’t mistake-proof and data loss, and breaches are constantly on the news. If the business doesn’t want to add sad statistics, the security architecture might prevent that.

The goal of developers is to make security systemic to the application and integrate it into the application. Cloud-based solutions should leverage identity and access management (IAM) to have controlled access.

Also, cloud service providers usually have services for security considerations. In terms of data, encryption is one good way to secure your information. So, even if something happens deciphering data takes time or is impossible.

Sum Up

Cloud computing architecture will stay with users and businesses for a long time. Cloud servers are accommodating business needs, and I'm sure soon they'll handle even AI and large Network level operations.

That’s why carefully integrating cloud strategy into a business plan takes a few preparations. So, the main things to do with components of cloud architecture:

• Break application into application levels with different logic/functions.

• Decouple data, and make it portable.

• Develop a solid strategy for migration.

• Set up and optimize communications.

• Consider security as a part of cloud architecture.

The details are usually handled by cloud architects or experienced DevOps specialists. However, cloud technology is a part of most software development companies' routines, so don't hesitate to ask. Would be happy to discuss!