What does cloud computing provide through the Internet?

Cloud computing provides a wide range of services over the Internet, which includes not just storage but also computing power, software, and various resources that can be accessed remotely. In this model, users can provision and manage resources without needing to maintain physical hardware on-site. This flexibility allows businesses and individuals to scale their operations based on their current needs, leveraging everything from processing power for applications to complex databases without the need to purchase and manage physical servers.

Computing services include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), where users can rent virtual machines and storage, and Platform as a Service (PaaS), which offers development tools and frameworks. Moreover, Software as a Service (SaaS) provides access to software applications that are hosted in the cloud. This comprehensive offering is what distinguishes cloud computing from merely providing storage solutions or media streaming, as those are only subsets of the broader service model.

This approach allows for cost effectiveness, efficiency, and ease of management, making cloud computing a fundamental component of modern IT environments.