To do this, cloud computing networks large groups of servers, usually those with low-cost consumer PC technology, with specialized connections to spread data-processing chores across them. This shared IT infrastructure contains large pools of systems that are linked together.  Often, virtualization techniques are used to maximize the power of cloud computing.

The standards for connecting the computer systems and the software needed to make cloud computing work are not fully defined at present time, leaving many companies to define their own cloud computing technologies.  Systems offered by companies, like IBM's "Blue Cloud" technologies for example, are based on open standards and open source software which link together computers that are used to to deliver Web 2.0 capabilities like mash-ups or mobile commerce.

Cloud computing has started to obtain mass appeal in corporate data centers as it enables the data center to operate like the Internet work through the process of  enabling computing resources to be accessed and shared as virtual resources in a secure and scalable manner.

See network cloud.
See also grid computing.

Also see "Technology Terms to Know for 2009" in the Did You Know...? section of Webopedia.

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