Category Archives: Cloud Storage
Four Basic Functions Of Computer PDF With Diagrams – Gkbooks
Download the Four Basic Functions of Computer PDF for upcoming competitive exams. The Download link for the notes is given below at the end of this post.
The capabilities of modern computers are vast and varied, allowing them to perform both simple and complex tasks with ease. With technological advancements, computer devices, and components are constantly evolving, making it difficult to categorize their functions.
However, there are some fundamental functions that all computer systems perform regardless of their size, power, or modernity. In this article, we will be discussing these basic functions, which encompass the core operations that a computer undertakes to execute any task. Therefore, it is essential to understand the fundamental steps that a computer follows when in use before delving into its basic functions.
The proper functioning of a computer system relies on both its hardware and software components working in tandem. The operation of any computer system typically involves the following steps:
The computer receives input data from the user via various input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, or microphone. The input data can take various forms such as text, images, videos, or sound.
Once the data is received, it is temporarily stored in the computers memory for further processing. The data is organized into a format that the microprocessor or CPU can understand and act upon.
The microprocessor or CPU executes a set of instructions that correspond to the processing of the data. These instructions can be predefined software programs or custom-made by the user. The processing can include mathematical calculations, logical comparisons, or data manipulations, among others.
Once the data is processed, it is transformed into meaningful information that can be interpreted by the user. The output is then displayed on output devices such as monitors, printers, or speakers. The output can take various forms such as text, images, graphs, or sound.
The user may choose to store the processed data permanently for future use. The data can be saved on internal or external storage devices such as hard drives, USB flash drives, or cloud storage. The stored data can be retrieved and used at any time, even after the computer system is turned off.
The four primary functions of a computer system are based on its fundamental operation, which includes:
These functions are commonly referred to as input, process, output, and storage functions, respectively.
Computers cannot operate independently and require input data from users to perform tasks, making data input the primary function of a computer system. Without input data, a computer remains idle.
Data can be inputted into the system either manually or automatically or through a combination of both. Manual input is performed by users using input devices whenever required to accomplish specific tasks.
Automated input can be done through scripted programs, applications, and robotics. It can intelligently feed predefined data into the computer or execute tasks and programs based on user actions, clicks, or set times.
However, even with automated data, users configure the instructions to some extent. Data can be inputted into computer word processing programs, spreadsheets, online forms, databases, etc. Typically, input data is in its raw form.
Although the mouse and keyboard are primary input devices, many other input devices allow users to input data in various formats, including text, numbers, images, audio, video, and more. For example, webcams can input image or video data, while microphones can capture voice data.
A mouse is an input device that enables users to point and click, allowing them to move the cursor and select specific objects on a computer screen (or monitor). It can be connected to a computer either via a wired or wireless connection.
A keyboard is an input device with multiple keys that allow users to input letters, numbers, symbols, and other types of information. It is an essential tool for typing text and commands on a computer.
Similar to a mouse, a keyboard can be connected to a computer either via a wired or wireless connection. The keys on a keyboard can also be customized or programmed to perform specific functions or tasks. Additionally, there are several types of keyboards available, including ergonomic keyboards, gaming keyboards, and virtual keyboards.
Data processing is one of the most essential functions of a computer system. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main component responsible for data processing. Once raw data is provided to the computer, the processing function takes over, and the supplied data is manipulated based on instructions to generate meaningful information.
Advancements in technology have led to the development of modern computing devices with improved capabilities. In particular, the CPU has undergone significant improvement over the years, and modern computers often use an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) that combines both the CPU and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). This integration of processing units provides a powerful combination of arithmetic, logical, and graphics processing capabilities that make modern computers faster, smoother, and more powerful.
The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer as it controls all the computer functions. It processes user instructions, executes system scripts, boots the Operating System (OS), runs programs, and performs arithmetic and logical operations.
The CPU can store temporary data, instructions, and results in a memory unit. Each instruction is sequentially processed by the CPU and goes through the Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Memory Unit.
The Control Unit (CU) of the CPU controls all the activities and operations of the computer, including input/output, memory, and other devices connected to the computer. It determines the sequence of operations and decodes instructions into commands.
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) of the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations. The arithmetic unit performs mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. The logical unit performs logical and decision operations such as AND, OR, equal, greater, and less than, etc. The logic unit is also responsible for performing many other operations such as comparison, selection, matching, data merging, and so on.
The Memory Unit allows the CPU to temporarily store data, programs, and intermediate and final results of processed data. It is a temporary storage area but is vital to the functioning of the computer. All inputs/outputs are first stored in the memory unit and then transferred to other units of the computer as per the instruction. The primary memory (main memory) or RAM of the computer is used for this purpose.
Once the raw data is processed by the computers processor, the CPU sends the processed data from the primary memory to an output device for presentation as meaningful information. Information retrieval or output is another basic function of a computer system. The most common output devices are monitors and printers, with the monitor being the default output device for modern computers.
However, users can connect multiple output devices together, such as speakers or headphones for audio output. The output can also be saved as either a soft copy or a hard copy. Soft copy refers to information stored in digital format on the computers storage media, while hard copy output is printed on physical media such as paper or cloth.
A monitor, also known as a visual display unit, is a crucial output device of a computer system. It consists of various components, including glass, circuitry, adjustment buttons, and a power supply, all enclosed within a casing.
The monitor is connected to a computer system to display the output contents, such as text, images, and videos, on the screen. It is an essential tool for viewing and interacting with digital information on a computer.
Another vital output device is the printer, which can be connected to a computer system to create a hard copy of a document, image, or other information on paper. The printer receives electronic data from the computer and produces an exact replica in either monochrome (black and white) or color, depending on the printer type.
There are two primary types of printers: impact and non-impact printers. Impact printers use a mechanical mechanism to transfer ink or carbon onto paper, while non-impact printers use various technologies like inkjet, laser, or thermal to create the image or text.
A plotter is an input device used in computer-aided design (CAD) applications to create high-quality, large-scale graphics such as engineering drawings, blueprints, and maps.
It works by drawing continuous lines with a pen or pencil, rather than by printing dots like a traditional printer. Plotters come in different sizes and are capable of producing high-resolution, accurate output with precise line widths and colors.
They are often used in architecture, engineering, and graphic design industries where large-scale, detailed prints are required. While plotters are not as commonly used today as they were in the past, they still play a critical role in certain industries where high-quality output is essential.
Overall, both monitors and printers play essential roles in outputting information from a computer system. While the monitor allows users to visually interact with digital information, the printer allows users to create hard copies of that information. These output devices make it possible for users to share information in a tangible form, whether for personal or professional use.
The fourth fundamental function of a computer system is data and information storage. A computer can store data temporarily in primary memory, while information can be stored permanently both internally and externally. Data is held in memory until it is processed into a meaningful piece of information that can be permanently saved for future use or further manipulation.
Once the input (raw data) is provided, it is first stored in primary memory for temporary use. The ongoing data is then sent for processing while still saved in primary memory. After the data is processed, the results of the processed data are again placed in primary memory. This meaningful information is then sent to the output units from primary memory and stored in permanent storage.
Computers employ multiple storage devices, but RAM, ROM, and SSD/HDD are critical to their operation. RAM is the primary memory and stores data temporarily, while ROM and HDD/SSD store data permanently.
Unlike HDD/SSD, data stored on ROM cannot be modified by users. In addition, users can take advantage of cloud storage to store their processed data permanently, which can be accessed from various computing devices regardless of location.
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a crucial component of the computer system, providing fast access to data and instructions that are currently being used by the computers processor.
It is called random access because it allows the CPU to quickly read and write data to any location in memory, rather than having to search for it on a storage device like a hard drive.
RAM is characterized by its speed and ability to store data temporarily, which makes it an essential part of the computers performance.
RAM comes in various types, such as Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM), with DRAM being the most common type found in personal computers. It is designed to be volatile, meaning that its contents are lost when the power supply is turned off.
However, modern computers have advanced power management features that allow them to retain the data in RAM even when the system is turned off or put into sleep mode. The amount of RAM a computer has can affect its performance, with more RAM allowing for faster processing and multitasking.
ROM is a non-volatile storage medium that permanently stores essential computer data such as firmware. The data stored in ROM is read-only and is not accessible to the user for modification. It is primarily read by the computers processor to write/load boot-up data and system files into the primary memory.
SSD stands for Solid State Drive, while HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. These are two different permanent storage devices used on a computer. Both can be connected internally and externally.
Normally, a computer uses at least one of these storage devices internally to store the operating system. Unlike ROM, data in these storage devices can be erased and written by the users as per their wishes.
Additionally, users can take advantage of cloud storage to store their processed data permanently, which can be accessed from anywhere on various computing devices.
The four basic functions of a computer system are input, processing, output, and storage. Input devices are used to take in raw data, processing devices manipulate the data to produce meaningful information, output devices display or transmit the results, and storage devices are used to store both temporary and permanent data and information. Different computer devices can participate in one or more of these functions, such as hard disk drives that can be used for both input and storage and touch screens that can take input and display output.
Four Basic Functions of Computer PDF Download
See the article here:
Four Basic Functions Of Computer PDF With Diagrams - Gkbooks
Raymond James & Associates Increases Stake in Teradyne, Divided … – Best Stocks
Raymond James & Associates has increased its stake in Teradyne, Inc. by 2.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment firm now owns 380,518 shares of the companys stock, after purchasing an additional 7,749 shares during the period, giving it a total holding worth around $33.24m.Teradyne is an American developer and supplier of automatic test equipment for use in the electronics and semiconductor industries. Analysts at StockNews.com recently begun coverage on Teradyne, issuing a hold rating on the stock. Meanwhile Morgan Stanley increased its target price on shares of Teradyne from $92 to $101 in January 2017; however Robert W. Baird lowered their price target from $115 to $104 so there are mixed feelings about where the stock could be headed.On Friday (5 May) shares in Teradyne opened at $91.18 having fallen sharply since peaking at$112.06 on 10 March this year just before KeyCorp issued an overweight rating with a price target of $117.Despite issuing earnings reports that could politely be described as lacking consistency EPS was up last Q4 but down in Q3 the firm remains a leader in providing solutions for testing chips used in mobile phones (such as Apple), automobiles and servers. It also makes automation systems to help improve manufacturing productivity.Offering exposure to some of the highest growing sectors across technology enables investors to capitalise on significant tailwinds across video gaming (which relies heavily on semi-conductors), IoT connectivity growth and cloud storage expansion all areas where Teradyne has something interesting to offer.That said, it is important that would-be investors read research notes closely as analysts remain divided about what direction they see share prices going over time; they might also consider whether the investment matches their appetite for risk.
Teradyne, a globally recognized supplier of automatic test equipment, reported excellent first quarter earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The firm exceeded the agreed upon earnings per share (EPS) estimate of $0.42 with an impressive $0.55 EPS instead. Alongside this undeniable accomplishment, Teradyne was also able to exceed the projected revenue value of $603.03 million by earning $617.53 million for the aforementioned quarter.
Financial data reports confirm that Teradynes return on equity (ROE) reached a respectable amount of 26.88%, while simultaneously achieving an exceptional net margin of 21.12%. Despite their revenue being down 18.2% year-over-year for the previous quarter; using multiple well-executed financial and operational strategies, Teradyne was still able to reach these outstanding figures.
While it may be assumed that such high-performing firms are only supported exclusively by individual investors, in fact more than 97% of Teradyne stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds alike. Several institutional investors have bought or sold shares recently as Empirical Finance LLC grew its stake in Teradyne by 23.1% during the third quarter making them one of the foremost owners now owning over $250k worth of company stocks after acquiring an extra 647 shares; First Trust Advisors LP raised their stake in Teradyne by an impressive nearly fifty percent during Q3 and Barclays PLC boosted their support for the enterprise by gaining an additional almost 135k shares in that period.
This shows that even seasoned investors understand the potential for growth that exists within Teradyne right now; news which could further prompt individuals to seek out investment opportunities in this blossoming firm whose average target price currently sits at just over $91 per share on Bloomberg.com.
Recent dividend declarations from TER included a quarterly dividend will be handed out on Friday June 16th, paying record holders together with an annual dividend of $0.44 per share, which is more than enough to grab the attention of investors and continue driving up company shares along with market relevance.
Read more from the original source:
Raymond James & Associates Increases Stake in Teradyne, Divided ... - Best Stocks
Dropbox Relatively Flat on Analyst Pivot – TipRanks
Its been a tumultuous couple of weeks for cloud storage stock Dropbox (NASDAQ:DBX). With layoffs and concerns about customer resiliency staring at it, its first-quarter results proved a welcome surprise. Sufficiently welcome, in fact, that Goldman Sachs analysts gave Dropbox a boost. That, in turn, was enough to prompt a very small bump in Dropboxs share price at the time of writing.
Goldman Sachs, by way of analyst Kash Rangan, hiked the rating on Dropbox from Sell to Hold, citing Dropboxs first-quarter earnings report. Rangan also bolstered the price target, hiking it from $22 to $25 on the strength of improving earnings per share and average revenue per user figures, among other points. There are some other points that may drag on Dropbox laterRangan points to things like demand normalization and workforce reductionsbut Dropbox has been working to address those with better workflow and improved pricing.
Dropboxs first quarter was sound enough. It brought in earnings of $0.42 per share, beating analyst estimates by $0.37. Revenue came in at $611.1 million, which was not only ahead of estimates as well, but was up 8.7% against this time last year. The earnings release came just after Dropbox announced plans to lay off 500 employeesroughly 16% of its workforceand work to pivot to artificial intelligence in order to stay ahead of competitors.
Analysts throughout the spectrum are largely on Dropboxs side. With four Buy ratings, two Holds, and one Sell, Dropbox stock is considered a Moderate Buy. Further, with an average price target of $25.80 per share, Dropbox stock also offers 20.79% upside potential.
Disclosure
Read more from the original source:
Dropbox Relatively Flat on Analyst Pivot - TipRanks
Terrifying moment fireball & mushroom cloud erupts over Ukraine as Russia attacks but Putin loses two t… – The Sun
THIS is the terrifying moment a fireball and mushroom cloud erupts over a Ukrainian city after Russia targeted ammunition silos.
The footage emerged after two of Russia's top commanders were killed in fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine.
8
8
8
8
8
Russia is said to have sent 21 dronesto attack the western city of Khmelnytskyi and although 17 were shot down, four were able to reach their target.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is thought to be targeting missile storage centres in Ukraine as the invading forces are bracing for a counter-offensive from Kyiv.
In a blow to Moscow, Russia was today forced to admit that two of its senior commanders had been killed amid fighting in Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.
The Defence Ministry said Commander Vyacheslav Makarov of the 4th Motorised Rifle Brigade and Deputy Commander Yevgeny Brovko from a separate unit were killed while trying to repel a Ukrainian attack.
According to the ministry, Makarov had been leading troops from the front line while Brovko died heroically, suffering multiple shrapnel wounds.
It comes as The Sun Online revealed Ukrainian football hooligans have stopped brawling on the terraces and started fighting in the trenches.
The ultras, the main cohort of which followArsenal Kyiv- which is unrelated to their London namesake, formed their own battle unit and are fighting on the frontline againstPutin's forces.
The group have formed their own volunteer army of proud yobs, being known as the Kayfariki Group - which translates to "good vibes".
They have seen action across Ukraine, being involved in battles such as inKherson,Kharkivand even in the bloody trenches ofBakhmut.
Officials said nearly 30 people were injured in the Khmelnytskyi blast but only two needed hospital treatment.
The blast reportedly damaged educational and medical institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise buildings and private residences.
A Russian pro-war source said: We are seeking to destroy the weapons and ammunition stockpiled by Ukraine from Nato countries.
This is a big strike but we need more because we know Ukraine now has superior military firepower to us in many areas.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said: Unfortunately, not all drones were destroyed that night 17 out of 21 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). There were four hits in Khmelnytskyi region.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday said his country was preparing a counter-offensive which would aim to liberate areas occupied by Russia, rather than to attack Russian territory.
Russian forces launched an attack on warehouses in Ternopil on Saturday, the home city of Ukraines Eurovision act just minutes before the duo took to the stage.
As Tvorchi was getting set to perform theirsong inspired by soldierswho defended their war-torn country, the group revealed their hometown of Ternopil had been bombed.
BBCreported two people were injured when the missiles hit, and warehouses had been smashed to pieces.
8
8
8
New moves in AFA driven by QLC flash Blocks and Files – Blocks and Files
A new chapter is opening in the all-flash storage array (AFA) world as QLC flash enables closer cost comparisons with hybrid flash/disk and disk drive arrays and filers.
There are now 14 AFA players, some dedicated and others with hybrid array/filer alternatives. They can be placed in three groups. The eight incumbents, long-term enterprise storage array and filer suppliers, are: Dell, DDN, Hitachi Vantara, HPE, Huawei, IBM, NetApp and Pure Storage. Pure is the newest incumbent and classed as such by us because of its public ownership status and sustained growth rate. It is not a legacy player, though, as it was only founded in 2009, just 14 years ago.
An updated AFA history graphic we first used this graphic in 2019 shows how these incumbents have adopted AFA technology both by developing it in-house and acquiring AFA startups. We have added Huawei to the chart as an incumbent; it is a substantial AFA supplier globally.
A second wave of hybrid array startups adopting all-flash technology Infinidat, Nimble, Tegile and Tintri have mostly been acquired, HPE buying Nimble, Western Digital buying Tegile, and DDN ending up with Tintri. But Infinidat has grown and grown and added an all-flash SSA model to its InfiniBox product line.
Infinidat is of a similar age to Pure, being founded in 2010, and has unique Neural Cache memory caching technology which it uses to build high-end enterprise arrays competing with Dell EMCs PowerMax and similar products. It has successfully completed a CEO transition from founder Moshe Yanai to ex-Western Digital business line exec Phil Bullinger, and has been growing strongly for three years. Its positioned to become a new incumbent.
The third wave was formed of six NVMe-focused startups. They have all gone now as well, either acquired or crashed and burned. NVMe storage and NVMe-oF access proved to be technology features and not products as all the incumbents adopted them and basically blew this group of startups out of the water.
The fourth wave of AFA startups has three startup members and two existing players moving into the AFA space. All five are software-defined, use commodity hardware, and are different from each other.
VAST Data has a reinvented filer using a single tier of QLC flash positioned as being suitable from performance workloads, using SCM-based caching and metadata storage, and parallel access to scale-out storage controllers and nodes, with data reduction making its QLC flash good for capacity data storage as well. Its brand new partnership with HPE gives it access to the mid-range enterprise market while it concentrates its direct sales on high-end customers.
StorONE is a more general-purpose supplier, with a rewritten and highly efficient storage software stack and a completely different philosophy about market and sales growth to VAST Data. VAST has taken $263 million and is prioritizing growth and more growth, while StorONE has raised around $30 million and is focused on profitable growth.
Lightbits is different again, providing a block storage array accessed by NVMe/TCP. It is relatively new, being started up in 2015.
Kioxia is included this group because it has steadily developed its Kumoscale JBOF software capabilities. The system supports OpenStack and uses Kioxias NVMe SSDs. Kioxia does not release any data about its Kumoscale sales or market progress but has kept on developing the software without creating much marketing noise about it.
Lastly Quantum has joined this fourth wave group because of its Myriad software announcement. This provides a unified and scale-out file and object storage software stack. Its development was led by Brian Pawlowski who has deep experience of NetApps FlashRay development and and Pure Storage AFA technologies. He characterizes Quantum as a late mover in AFA software technology, aware of the properties and limitations of existing AFA tech, and crafting all-new software to fix them.
We have not included suppliers such as Panasas, Qumulo and Weka in our list. Panasas has an all-flash system but is a relatively small player with an HPC focus. Scale-out filesystem supplier Qumulo also supports all-flash hardware but, in our view, is predominantly a hybrid multi-cloud software supplier. WEKA too is a software-focused supplier
Two object storage suppliers support all-flash hardware Cloudian and Scality but the majority of their sales are on disk-based hardware. Scality CEO Jerome Lecat tellsus he believes the market is not really there for all-flash object storage. These two players are not included in our AFA suppliers list as a result.
The main focus in the AFA market is on taking share from all-disk and hybrid-flash disk suppliers in the nearline bulk storage space. In general they think that SSDs will continue to exceed HDD capacity; 60TB drives are coming before the end of the year and are generally confident they will continue to grow their businesses at the expense of the hybrid array suppliers. Some, like Pure Storage, are even predicting a disk drive wipeout. That prediction may come back to haunt them or they could be laughing all the way to the QLC-powered flash bank.
More here:
New moves in AFA driven by QLC flash Blocks and Files - Blocks and Files
Back it up: Most dead hard drives fail within 3 years – PCWorld
Follow any tech site with regularity and youll hear the same refrain over and overback up your files. The longer you wait, the more you flirt with disaster, and you dont have as much time as you might think. In March, a Los Angeles storage recovery service revealed that on average, their clients failed hard drives died within the first three years of use. And now a study from Backblaze has corroborated that finding with much more data.
In the original report, Secure Data Recovery came to its discovery by cataloging the details of 2,007 faulty drives from six prominent manufacturers, with capacities ranging from 40GB to 10TB. Backblazes latest release of drive statistics (which the cloud storage and backup service publishes quarterly about the storage powering its data centers) paints a similar picture.
In fact, for the Q1 2023 info drop, the company purposely dug into its own data from the past ten years, after seeing the Secure Data Recovery info. Turns out that Backblazes 17,155 failed drives clocked an average age of two and half yearsor a little bit less than the average of two years and 10 months in the SDR report. The longest-wearing drives survived for almost five years while the shortest lived bit the dust in less than a year.
Need to back up your files? If so, check out our roundup of the best Windows backup software available right now.
Backblaze
Backblaze also breaks out the dead drives by their model numbers and capacities, providing a deeper glimpse into individual drive reliabilitysort of. The company cautions against making assumptions about capacity influencing potential lifespan, especially the data initially suggests that smaller drives last longer than larger ones. Backblazes data centers have completely retired lower capacity storage while the fate of some bigger models remains to be seen. But in case you were curious, the average age of Backblazes failed drives no longer in operation istwo years and seven months.
Backblaze just drove a stake into any assumptions that a bigger data pool would soften or disprove Secure Data Recoverys results. If your drive is going to bite the dust, itll happen sooner than most people expectthough the chances of it happening arent as high as some people might fear. Backblaze found that of 236,893 drives and 30 different models, they had a 1.4 percent lifetime annualized failure rate (or general rate of failure within any given year of service since Backblaze began tracking this data). So the likelihood of your storage dying is pretty low, especially considering the drives in Backblazes data centers is being run much harder than in an average persons computer.
Backblaze
Still, 1.4 percent of the millions of drives out in the world is still a big number and you wont know if you fall into that unlucky group until your drive stops responding. And thats a point that Secure Data Recovery stressed in its post, recommending the classic 3-2-1 approach. (See, tech journalists arent trying to scare you unnecessarily). That translates to three copies of your data on at least two different forms of media (e.g., two separate drives or one drive and the cloud), with one copy stored off-site.
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of creating and maintaining that many copies of your data? Its actually not much work if you use the right tools. Our guide walks you through the basics of setting up a backup system. Weve also got suggestions for the best automated backup software, external hard drives, and cloud backup services. Remember, a drive having a short natural life isnt the only reason to back up. You could end up on the wrong side of ransomware, your computer getting destroyed by an act of nature (or man), or someone making off with your PC.
Read more here:
Back it up: Most dead hard drives fail within 3 years - PCWorld
Hybrid Networking Environments: Optimising IT Infrastructures in 2023 – TechNative
Historically, every household had its own water well.
Today, public utilities provide clean water to everyone by turning on a tap. Cloud computing functions in a similar way. Like water from a faucet, hybrid networking environments may be quickly turned on and off. As with the water company, a dedicated workforce guarantees that the Cloud service provided is safe, secure, and always available.
A hybrid network is a type of Cloud computing that integrates on-premise technology with a public Cloud. Data and applications can travel between the two environments owing to hybrid Clouds. Many products of the company employ a hybrid Cloud strategy to solve business imperatives such as meeting regulatory and data sovereignty requirements, maximising on-premise technology investment, or addressing low latency challenges.
Cloud Computing is Empowering
The Cloud provides data access from anywhere, at any time, and on any compatible device. This mobility speeds up procedures, enhances communication, and empowers remote employees. Moving to the Cloud can save money, while freeing IT personnel from day-to-day responsibilities, allowing them to focus on enhancing operations and growing the business. 92% of organisations have a multi-Cloud strategy in place or are in the process of developing one, and 82% of large enterprises have implemented a hybrid Cloud infrastructure.
With the rapid shift to remote work during the pandemic, many organisations that had not previously used Cloud deployments quickly realised the value and importance of doing so. This demand has continued to increase. According to a recent study, 16% of all employees work remotely, with 62% preferring a hybrid work environment. Many employees today have the flexibility to work when, how, and where they want for a variety of tasks. This could include some days of in-office collaboration, deep focus work at home on others, and working from a coffee shop while travelling. Employers face challenges in adapting to and meeting these needs, but reap the benefits of employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention in the long run.
Hybrid networking is an excellent storage and scalability solution because it enables businesses to scale their storage up or down based on ongoing demand. Multi-Cloud providers should ideally collaborate seamlessly so that organisations can invest in any level of space, security, and protection based on the needs of each data segment. Administrators can align their business requirements with the best Cloud-hosting providers for each task by incorporating multiple Clouds into a companys IT strategy. Organisations can choose a provider based on its fast upload speed, while another provider can guarantee better service level agreement terms. Users can achieve a high level of agility by having multiple options and matching each part of their business to a specific providers setup and execution terms.
Securing the Cloud
Cloud adoption and an increase in remote work have extended the enterprise perimeter, increasing the attack surface, and the continued shift to a hybrid Cloud will increase this attack surface even further. According to a recent survey, 80% of companies have experienced at least one Cloud security incident in the last year, and 27% of organisations have experienced a public Cloud security incident. However, Cloud storage can be built from the ground up to ensure maximum data security. As Cloud providers are responsible for the security of their infrastructures, they can ensure that an organisation has all of the capabilities required for data protection. A business networks security must be evaluated regularly as its infrastructure and software evolve.
Another significant benefit of implementing a multi-Cloud strategy is risk management. If one vendors infrastructure fails or is attacked, a multi-Cloud user can quickly switch to a different service provider or backup to a private Cloud. Risk can be reduced by using redundant, independent systems that provide robust authentication mechanisms, vulnerability testing, and API asset consolidation.A multi-Cloud solutioncan help protect a companys critical data by providing backup and recovery capabilities that ensure business continuity in the event of an emergency, whether caused by a failed driveor a natural disaster.
The Future is Hybrid
A hybrid Cloud network is a software-centric architecture that tightly integrates computing, storage, and virtualisation resources in a single system. Modern businesses rely on data centres to provide the computing, storage, networking, and management resources required to host critical enterprise workloads and data. However, data centres are notoriously complex places where many vendors compete to deliver a plethora of devices, systems, and software.
Challenges to consider include compatibility issues in synchronisation, security challenges relating to data handling, access management protocols and the evident skills gap in bringing all of this together. Fortunately, there are strategies and tools to help resolve the complications of hybrid management and create a streamlined approach across environments. Cloud migration is well underway for many organisations, driven by a variety of business factors and accelerated in many cases by the pandemic.
About the Author
Alan Hayward is Sales and Marketing Manager at SEH Technology. SEH is a manufacturer of high quality network solutions. With over 30 years of experience in printing and networks we possess broad and profound solution skills in areas for all types of business environments. We develop and manufacture all products at our headquarters in Germany. Worldwide distribution is via our US and UK subsidiaries and an extensive network of partners, distributors, and resellers.
Featured image: ako-photography
View post:
Hybrid Networking Environments: Optimising IT Infrastructures in 2023 - TechNative
Fylm.ai 1.6 adds custom LUTs and more – RedShark News
Fylm.ai is a cloud-based, AI-powered color grading solution which debuted in 2021 after a successful beta launch. Version 1.6 just released, bringing the ability to import custom LUTs, new LUT packs from Lutify.me, and more.
We first spoke about Fylm.ai when it officially launched in late 2021 after a successful beta. Using AI, color grading is done intelligently within a web browser. Its also ACES color managed, GPU-accelerated, and compatible with non-ACES workflows.
Footage is uploaded to the cloud, so anyone on the post-production team has access. There are plenty of features and controls to get the look youll want, but AI also helps make it easy for those who want a fast, but professional look via Magic Mode.
Artificial intelligence is all the rage right now, and filmmakers, video producers, and other content creators can take advantage of tools like Fylm.ai to help streamline their pre-production, production, or post-production workflows.
Version 1.6 of Fylm. ai brings a host of new features, including:
Any content creator can use Fylm.ai to color grade their projects, no matter the size. But its especially useful for those working with a team that needs access to the project, including the director, cinematographer, editor, VFX artist and more. And if the team is spread out worldwide, as long as they have high speed internet, collaboration is easy.
With tools like Magic Mode, getting the look you want is easy and fast. Theres no need for an advanced degree to professionally grade a project.
There are four levels of pricing for Fylm.ai:
Learn more at Fylm.ai, and check out the company's cloud-based RAW photo editor while youre there.
See the article here:
Fylm.ai 1.6 adds custom LUTs and more - RedShark News
I’ve reviewed external storage for a decade; this is the best portable … – TechRadar
Amazon sells the Seagate One Touch 1TB external SSD (opens in new tab) for $89.99, a saving of 47% from its original selling price of $169.99. While this is not the cheapest 1TB on the market, I think it is one of the best portable SSD (if not the best) for freelancers, especially creative ones, and for a number of reasons.
Thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector, it is one of the fastest external solid state drives in its category (under $100), matching the likes of the Samsung T7 or the Crucial X8 with an up-to-read speed of 1.05GBps. Such a fast speed means that you can move files around easily and you can even work directly from the drive if you have compatible portable apps.
A 2TB version is available if you need something bigger for just $149.99 (you will need to select Other Sellers on Amazon to get this price). A smaller 500GB version is also available but at $69.99, its not recommended.
This drive is also ridiculously small and portable (a mere 70 x 50 x 10mm and weighing 43g) which means that you can easily carry it around to keep all your movies, photos, and more in one place. You get both USB Type-C and Type-A cables for out-of-the-box compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Android - wed just wish that they were a tad longer.
Where it pips the competition is when it comes to whats included in the package; other than the standard 3-year warranty, Seagate throws in free data recovery services as well, a life saver if your SSD has been damaged and you cant access, say, your clients files. Now terms and conditions will apply and theres a 10% chance of failure but its good to know that it exists as a safety net.
Also included is a 1-year subscription to Mylio Photos which is an unlimited cloud storage service thats focused on photos (you cant upload any other files). Mylio Photos - by itself - costs $99.99, which is $10 more than the price of the drive itself.
But theres even more; Seagate threw in a four-month subscription to Adobes uber-popular Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which is worth $39.96 by itself. We havent tried but you should be able to redeem it even if you already have an existing account.
Last but certainly not least, Seagate DiscWizard, one of the best free backup software designed exclusively for Seagate hardware, and the Seagate SSD Touch app, which lets you manage files stored on compatible Seagate devices using your Android mobile device.
Users can also redeem a free 90-day subscription to Amazon Music unlimited, worth more than $30, for new Non-Prime members. Check out our review of the Seagate One Touch 1TB external SSD where the device received a superb 4.5 stars out of five.
Link:
I've reviewed external storage for a decade; this is the best portable ... - TechRadar
ChatPDF: The Ultimate AI PDF Reader That Answers Your Questions – Dignited
Are you tired of spending hours reading through long PDF documents, trying to find the information you need? Say hello to ChatPDF the AI PDF reader that answers your questions. ChatPDF uses artificial intelligence to understand the context of your questions and provide accurate answers from any PDF file.
ChatPDF is a revolutionary tool that enhances the way you read and understand PDF documents. It can comprehend textbooks, handouts, research papers, and academic articles effortlessly. ChatPDF allows you to unlock a wealth of knowledge, from historical documents to poetry and literature, and expand your horizons by providing you with accurate answers to your questions.
Related: Top 15 New AI Cool Tools to Try Besides ChatGPT: Part 1
Using ChatPDF is simple and straightforward. Heres how to get started:
Your files are stored on secure cloud storage, and ChatPDF will never share your files with anyone. You can delete your files at any time.
Related: What is Auto-GPT AI: Getting Started and How it Differs from ChatGPT
ChatPDF offers a free plan that allows you to use the tool for free with three PDFs every day, each up to 120 pages. For more, you can upgrade to the Plus plan for $5 per month. The Plus plan allows you to use ChatPDF for an unlimited number of PDFs, each up to 1,000 pages.
ChatPDF is available online, and you dont need to sign up to use it. It works on any device with an internet connection and can read PDFs in any language.
Related: How to Send PDFs, EPUB and More Files to Kindle
If youre a developer and want to integrate ChatPDF into your website or mobile app, you can use the ChatPDF API. To get started, fill out the API registration form on the ChatPDF website, and the team will get back to you shortly.
Its worth mentioning that although ChatPDF is a promising tool, it is still in its early stages of development. I tested its ability to provide a summary of a page and was shocked with the result. However, Im unsure whether it sources information from the internet or reads the entire PDF itself.
I attempted to rename a PDF to see if ChatPDF relies on the file name to generate its answers, similar to how ChatGPT uses URLs to provide information as if it is reading the internet. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that ChatPDF actually reads the entire PDF, as it was able to provide an overview of the contents of the renamed file.
Why is it that ChatPDF is unable to detect the number of pages available when it is capable of reading the content of a PDF file? Nonetheless, a comprehensive review will be available soon, so stay subscribed to receive updates.
With its artificial intelligence capabilities, you can comprehend textbooks, handouts, research papers, and academic articles effortlessly. ChatPDF is a promising AI tool, you can unlock a wealth of knowledge and expand your horizons by providing you with answers to your questions.
Excerpt from:
ChatPDF: The Ultimate AI PDF Reader That Answers Your Questions - Dignited