Definition

cloud

In telecommunications, a cloud is the unpredictable part of any network through which data passes between two end points. Possibly the term originated from the clouds used in blackboard drawings or more formal illustrations to describe the nonspecifiable or uninteresting part of a network. Clouds exist because between any two points in a packet-switched network, the physical path on which a packet travels can vary from one packet to the next and, in a circuit-switched network, the specific circuit that is set up can vary from one connection to the next.

Related glossary terms: northbound interface / southbound interface, SDN controller (software-defined networking controller)

This was last updated in December 2005

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Email Alerts

Register now to receive SearchNetworking.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy

More News and Tutorials

Networking blogs: Reevaluating the optical market, config builder tips

This week, networking bloggers discuss a potential sea change for the optical market, and reveal some key tips for using custom config builders.
Networking blogs: Wi-Fi Certified 802.11ac is here, CDN bandwidth woes

In this week's blog roundup, get expert insight on preparing for 802.11ac and solutions to CDN bandwidth issues.
The network is key as cloud drives converged infrastructure solutions

The cloud drives true converged infrastructure solutions for network, storage and compute resources, but virtualization and the network make it work.

Articles

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Enterprise WAN
Unified Communications
Mobile Computing
Data Center
Networking Channel

Enterprise WAN
- Wide area network resiliency best practices
  
  Learn about network resiliency best practices to keep your wide area network (WAN) services running during technical difficulties and outages.
- Business continuation and disaster recovery tips for your WAN services
  
  Understand the tools, technologies and strategies used to ensure business continuance (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) for your WAN services.
- IPv6 benefits: Making the IPv6 business case
  
  Depleted IPv4 addresses are not enough for many enterprises to deploy IPv6. Use these IPv6 benefits to make a business case for your IPv6 migration.
Unified Communications
- Cisco adds immersive video wall option to telepresence technology
  
  Cisco has added a video wall option to its telepresence technology, giving enterprises a more immersive telepresence room.
- Are wearable PoV cameras vulnerable to privacy issues and misuse?
  
  PoV cameras have the potential to be mishandled, but the same is true for all technology, according to unified communications expert Matt Brunk.
- Use network simulation tools to prevent UC from crashing your network
  
  To avoid real-time UC applications from crashing your network, analyze the stress points using network simulation tools, then eliminate the problems.
Mobile Computing
- Bringing BYOD to your enterprise
  
  Bring your own device (BYOD) can be a boon for both employees and enterprises, but clear policies and management tools are needed.
- Meeting technical requirements for mobile health care deployments
  
  IT departments deploying mobile health care solutions must ensure that using mobile devices in health care settings doesn't violate federal laws or compromise security.
- Making the call: Distributed antenna systems and in-building wireless
  
  Distributed antenna systems and in-building wireless solutions are two options to improve wireless cellular coverage within an enterprise facility.
Data Center
- Reinvented mainframe technology keeps big iron alive
  
  Mainframes are costly, arcane data center dinosaurs. Right? Wrong! Today's mainframe technology supports varied workloads securely, with TCO benefits.
- When to use Linux memory swap to solve server performance problems
  
  Adding physical memory may seem like the best way to solve a Linux server's memory shortage. But that's not the only way, so troubleshoot first.
- IBM power servers seek a boost from Google, Nvidia
  
  IBM will attempt to improve its Power-based server business through an open development consortium with Google, NVIDIA, and others.
Networking Channel
- Aruba Networks Partner Program Checklist
  
  Value-added resellers and service providers interested in reselling Aruba networking hardware and software can learn the benefits of becoming an Aruba Networks partner with this standardized checklist. Compare Aruba's reseller partner program with other vendors' offering similar products.
- NetScout Systems Partner Program Checklist
  
  Learn the benefits of becoming a NetScout Systems reseller partner with our Partner Program Checklist.
- Visage Mobile Partner Program Checklist
  
  Learn the benefits of becoming a Visage Mobile reseller partner with our Partner Program Checklist.

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2000 - 2013, TechTarget