What is the difference between cloud computing and cluster computing?

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What is the difference between cloud computing and cluster computing?

Cloud computing and cluster computing are both forms of distributed computing, but they differ in their architecture and purpose.

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources, such as servers, storage, databases, software, and networking, over the internet. It allows users to access and use these resources on-demand, without the need for physical infrastructure or upfront investment. Cloud computing is typically provided by third-party service providers, who manage and maintain the underlying infrastructure, while users only pay for the resources they consume.

On the other hand, cluster computing involves the interconnection of multiple computers or servers, known as nodes, to work together as a single system. These nodes are typically located in close proximity to each other and are connected through a high-speed network. Cluster computing is used to solve complex computational problems by dividing the workload among the nodes, allowing for parallel processing and increased performance.

The main difference between cloud computing and cluster computing lies in their architecture and purpose. Cloud computing focuses on providing scalable and flexible computing resources to users on-demand, while cluster computing focuses on achieving high performance and parallel processing by utilizing multiple interconnected nodes.

In summary, cloud computing is a service-oriented model that provides on-demand access to computing resources over the internet, while cluster computing is a distributed computing approach that utilizes multiple interconnected nodes to solve complex computational problems.