Exploring Knowledge in the Cloud System with a Simple Click

Quick and Safe Cloud Service

Libraries collect the accumulated knowledge of humankind. However, in the information age, with the development of internet, the acquisition of knowledge is no longer dependent on complex library cataloguing systems, as all the information can be collected by clicking the mouse that connects to the computer. The Internet has become an indispensable part of modern life. For the convenience of travelers, the hotel’s business centers provide computers and Internet service to meet the needs of guests. Palais de Chine is the first hotel in the industry to adopt the newest “cloud technology” to offer safe, quick, and pollution-free information services.

For the sake of privacy, after using a public computer, many people delete browsing records, ID cookies, conversation records on MSN Messenger, and even the temporary files on the computer, and further clear the recycle bin. However, can all traces of these activities be erased completely?

“Hackers can still use special software to obtain the information on the websites you have browsed, the passwords you have entered, and the online conversation records,” said Wen-Chi Lai, Director of Tourist Information of LDC Hotels & Resorts. However, at Palais de Chine, travelers do not have to worry about such issues as all traces of the activities and data on the computer will be completely erased after the user logs out.”

The computer provided by Palais de Chine is the “Thin Client” computer which has gained the attention of the corporate companies. It is a computer with a low-level CPU, and with no disk drives. “People may ask, ‘How is it a personal computer without a hard disk drive? Is it fully functional without a high-grade CPU?’ Consider this—it can all be solved by connecting it with a remote computer with a high-level CPU and a large hard disk via the Internet.”

Resource sharing maximizes benefits

In fact, the average CPU utilization of a personal computer is approximately a mere 1%, meaning about 99% of the computing capacity is not in use. If 100 computers can be connected via the Internet to share one powerful CPU, fully utilizing its computing capacity, the cost of 99 high-level CPUs can be saved.

Similarly, if 100 computers were to share one hard disk, the cost of 99 hard disks could be saved. “By setting up a remote computer in which hard disk drives can be added anytime, the storage needs of many computers can be met simultaneously. More importantly, this framework can safely back up all the data stored, without being easily hacked or stolen.”
The Thin Client computer used in the business center at Palais de Chine further places the operating system in the flash memory of the mainframe and installs EWF (Enhanced Write Filter), commonly known as the shadow system, which enables users to “access” the desktop of Windows just 35 seconds after booting up the computer.

The Windows operating system always records the browsing history, passwords, and operating activities, etc. After using the system for an extended period of time, the stored records will slow down boot time and undermine the stability of the system. EWF prevents the system from recording this data in the hard disk and thus ensures that the operating system remains as clean as when it was first installed. In addition, all the browsing records, passwords, and data will be deleted.

It is worth mentioning that the power consumption of the Thin Client computer is only 50 watts as no hard disk drive is installed and its CPU level is low, reading power consumption by 10-fold compared to a personal computer with a power consumption of 300-400 watts. It is no surprise, then, that more and more companies have begun to use Thin Client computers, as it fulfills the goals of energy saving and carbon reduction, as well as of ensuring information safety and efficiency of execution.

TERMS

The term “cloud” actually refers to the “Internet”, and “cloud computing” means “Internet-based computing.” The services provided by the processes of multiple computers via Internet or the remote mainframe of Internet are all categorized as “cloud services.” However, cloud computing is not a new technology but rather a concept. The technology for fulfilling this concept is referred to as “cloud technology.”

Cloud technology relies on technologies such as virtualization and automation. Services created by it are called “cloud services.” With cloud services, the machines of the users no longer require a large and powerful hard disk. For example, users can simply use a cellular phone to complete a variety of tasks which in the past could only be completed on a personal computer.

Next Article