Cloud Computing Glossary
A
App virtualization encapsulates an app from the underlying operating system on which it is executed. Apps and files are not installed on the local device, although they behave as if they are.
C
Cloud automation provides tools and processes that reduce IT overhead by automating orchestration and management of cloud resources. With cloud automation, administrators can eliminate much of the manual labor of deploying and managing infrastructure configurations and desktop environments through a self-service portal.
Cloud computing enables access to shared pools of infrastructure resources and other enhanced services over an Internet connection. Through orchestration and automation, cloud computing allows businesses to achieve economies of scale without having to invest in on-premises infrastructure and management.
Cloud desktops (aka hosted desktops) are virtualized desktop environments hosted in a cloud data center. Users can access their desktops over an Internet connection through a connection broker. Windows-based cloud desktops can be accessed through Remote Desktop Services.
Cloud management is the practice of deploying, maintaining, and securing data, apps and infrastructure in the cloud. This is done through software tools that enable companies to control their cloud environments remotely through a self-service, web-based management portal.
D
Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a component of cloud computing where client desktops and apps are virtualized and hosted in a cloud data center. Traditional DaaS vendors offer DaaS as a managed service. DaaS 2.0 is powered by automated migration, orchestration and management software-only platforms like itopia Cloud Automation Stack (CAS).
Disaster recovery is a set of policies, tools and procedures to enable the recovery of critical IT resources and data in case of an unforeseen natural or human-induced disruption. Disaster recovery is a subset of business continuity.
G
Google Cloud is a suite of cloud services that allow businesses to use Google’s infrastructure for storage, servers, network and more. It also equips app developers to leverage tools like Kubernetes (container service), BigQuery for data analytics, BigTable for database services and artificial intelligence.
Google Cloud-based desktops run on Google’s infrastructure and data centers and offer a more affordable alternative to on-premises data centers. They can be directly managed with itopia CAS, an end-to-end DaaS automation, migration and orchestration software platform.
R
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is Microsoft’s remote access software suite, which allows administrators to take control of and manage remote computers or virtual machines over a network connection. RDS makes Windows software and an entire desktop running RDS accessible to a remote client machine that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
V
VM uptime scheduling is a feature of itopia’s Cloud Automation Stack (CAS) software platform that enables IT administrators to schedule when servers spin up or down according to business demand. For example, if your employees aren’t working on the weekends, you can schedule server resources to turn off each weekend.
Virtual desktops are desktops environments that have been virtualized and abstracted from the physical devices on which they are executed. Virtual desktops can be made available to users regardless of their location and on any supported device. The desktops are hosted in an on-premises, cloud or hybrid environment.
