{"id":375953,"date":"2025-01-08T13:02:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T13:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?post_type=definition&#038;p=375953"},"modified":"2025-01-08T13:02:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T13:02:01","slug":"cloud-operating-system-cloud-os","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/cloud-operating-system-cloud-os","title":{"rendered":"Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span id=\"what_is_a_cloud_operating_system_cloud_os\">What Is a Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A cloud <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/operating-system-os\">operating system<\/a> (OS), simply defined, is an OS designed to manage resources like storage, processing power, and networking in a cloud environment. Unlike traditional operating systems, which run on a single device like your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4607\/computer\">computer<\/a> or phone, cloud OSs work across a network of remote servers.<\/p>\n<p>Cloud operating systems make it easier for businesses and individuals to run apps and services without worrying about the physical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2210\/hardware-hw\">hardware<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS.jpg\" alt=\"What Is a Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"825\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-375971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-1024x704.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-1536x1056.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-1200x825.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/What-Is-a-Cloud-Operating-System-Cloud-OS-1980x1361.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A cloud operating system is software that manages things like storage, processing, and networking across multiple servers in the cloud.<\/li>\n<li>There are three main types: private, public, and hybrid clouds. Each type offers different levels of control.<\/li>\n<li>Some key features include scalability, easy access from anywhere, and tools to manage resources and automate tasks.<\/li>\n<li>Cloud OS is used in all kinds of industries, from healthcare to e-commerce.<\/li>\n<li>While it offers strong security and backup options, it does rely on a stable Internet connection and can come with ongoing costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_a_cloud_operating_system_cloud_os\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_a_cloud_operating_system_cloud_os\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Is a Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_history\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_history\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS History<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"how_cloud_operating_systems_work\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_cloud_operating_systems_work\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">How Cloud Operating Systems Work<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"types_of_cloud_operating_systems\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"types_of_cloud_operating_systems\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Types of Cloud Operating Systems<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_features\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_features\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Features<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_applications\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_applications\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Applications<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"examples_of_cloud_operating_systems\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"examples_of_cloud_operating_systems\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Examples of Cloud Operating Systems<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_security\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_security\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Security<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_pros_and_cons\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_pros_and_cons\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Pros and Cons<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"cloud_os_vs_web_os\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_vs_web_os\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS vs. Web OS<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_a_cloud_operating_system_cloud_os\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_a_cloud_operating_system_cloud_os\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Is a Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_history\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_history\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS History<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"how_cloud_operating_systems_work\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_cloud_operating_systems_work\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">How Cloud Operating Systems Work<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"types_of_cloud_operating_systems\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"types_of_cloud_operating_systems\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Types of Cloud Operating Systems<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_features\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_features\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Features<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_applications\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_applications\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Applications<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"examples_of_cloud_operating_systems\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"examples_of_cloud_operating_systems\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Examples of Cloud Operating Systems<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_security\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_security\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Security<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_pros_and_cons\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_pros_and_cons\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS Pros and Cons<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"cloud_os_vs_web_os\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"cloud_os_vs_web_os\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Cloud OS vs. Web OS<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t            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pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_history\">Cloud OS History<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cloud operating systems came to fruition from advancements in computing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/16005\/networking\">networking<\/a>. Traditional operating systems were designed to manage a single machine\u2019s resources, but these limitations quickly became clear, especially when handling large-scale networks and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/27502\/distributed-computing-dci\">distributed computing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The shift began with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/719\/virtualization\">virtualization<\/a>, which let one physical server run several virtual machines. This made it possible to share resources like storage and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13111\/processing-capacity\">processing power<\/a> across multiple systems. This led to the rise of cloud computing and, with a bigger cloud infrastructure, came the need for operating systems designed specifically to manage them.<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s cloud operating systems build on those early cloud OS principles.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"how_cloud_operating_systems_work\">How Cloud Operating Systems Work<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A cloud operating system works by managing and organizing IT resources like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/storage\">storage<\/a>, computing power, and networking across a cloud setup. Instead of running on a single computer, it operates across multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/server\">servers<\/a> connected through a network, making them function as one system.<\/p>\n<p>It uses virtualization to turn physical hardware into flexible, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24796\/shared-resources\">shared resources<\/a>. This means you can run applications and manage workloads without worrying about the underlying hardware. The cloud OS makes sure everything runs smoothly by distributing resources where they\u2019re needed most.<\/p>\n<p>It also integrates with cloud infrastructures that let you monitor, scale, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/32099\/automation\">automate<\/a> tasks.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"types_of_cloud_operating_systems\">Types of Cloud Operating Systems<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cloud operating systems come in three main types: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/2\/28575\/trends\/cloud-computing\/public-private-and-hybrid-clouds-whats-the-difference\">private, public, and hybrid clouds<\/a>:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-tabs su-tabs-style-default su-tabs-mobile-stack su-tabs-vertical\" data-active=\"1\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-tabs-nav\"><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Private cloud OS<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Public cloud OS<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Hybrid cloud OS<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"su-tabs-panes\"><div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Private cloud OS&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p><strong>Description<\/strong>: Dedicated to one organization, offering full control and security.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for<\/strong>: Organizations with sensitive data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Public cloud OS&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p><strong>Description<\/strong>: Shared infrastructure managed by a third-party provider. Cost-effective.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for<\/strong>: Businesses with flexible workloads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Hybrid cloud OS&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p><strong>Description<\/strong>: Combines private and public cloud features for flexibility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for<\/strong>: Companies needing both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/data-security\">security<\/a> and scalability<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_features\">Cloud OS Features<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A cloud operating system comes with a few standout features:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim\">\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Scalability<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> It <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/9269\/scalability\">adjusts resources as needed<\/a>, so you\u2019re never stuck with too much or too little. <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/10165\/accessibility-a11y\">You can access it from anywhere<\/a>, as long as you have an Internet connection. <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Integration<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> It works with virtual infrastructures to make the most out of shared hardware. <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Resource optimization<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> It <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/30464\/resource-scheduling\">manages IT resources to balance workload<\/a> and keep things running smoothly. <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Automation<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> Tasks like updates and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1056\/backup\">backups<\/a> are handled automatically. <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_applications\">Cloud OS Applications<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cloud OSs are used in all sorts of industries.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick look at how a few different sectors use it:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive su-table-alternate\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Industry<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Application<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Enterprise IT<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Managing servers, storage, and applications in one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/cybersecurity-needs-to-save-the-cloud\">centralized cloud environment<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Software development<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Hosting development tools, testing apps, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1297\/deployment-network-administration\">deploying software<\/a> with the help of cloud computing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Education<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Running <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13914\/virtual-classroom\">virtual classrooms<\/a>, keeping track of student data, and hosting learning platforms everyone can access.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Healthcare<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Storing patient records, running <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/15362\/telemedicine\">telemedicine<\/a> services, and securely managing medical data.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>E-commerce<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Handling transactions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/28021\/customer-data-management-cdm\">managing customer data<\/a>, and scaling up for busy shopping seasons.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Media and entertainment<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Powering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/9927\/video-streaming\">video streaming<\/a>, content distribution, and collaborative media production.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"examples_of_cloud_operating_systems\">Examples of Cloud Operating Systems<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Though there are many, here are a few examples of popular cloud-based operating systems:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Google Chrome OS<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/2\/29540\/software\/chrome-os-101\">Designed for web apps<\/a> and works perfectly with Google Workspace.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microsoft Azure<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/microsoft-azure-101-a-beginners-guide\/2\/34373\">Handles virtual machines<\/a>, storage, and developer tools and scales easily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/what-is-involved-in-choosing-the-right-ec2-instances-for-aws\/7\/32416\">Offers flexible computing power for apps<\/a> and data tasks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red Hat OpenShift<\/strong>: Simplifies managing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/32573\/kubernetes\">Kubernetes<\/a> and containers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>VMware vSphere<\/strong>: Great for managing virtual infrastructures in private cloud setups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_security\">Cloud OS Security<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/best-business-antivirus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keeping data secure is a big deal<\/span><\/a> for any cloud OS, especially since everything is stored and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3192\/remote-access-server-ras\">managed on remote servers<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/5507\/encryption\">Encryption<\/a> makes sure your data stays safe, both when it\u2019s being sent and when it\u2019s sitting in storage.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/5831\/access-control\">Access controls<\/a>, like setting permissions and requiring logins, help to ensure only the right people can access sensitive information. Regular updates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\">patch security holes<\/a> and keep things running smoothly. Then there\u2019s constant monitoring that watches for anything out of the ordinary, sending alerts if something seems off.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24058\/backup-and-recovery\">Backup and recovery<\/a> features are also a must. If something goes wrong, you can restore your data without skipping a beat.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_pros_and_cons\">Cloud OS Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Using a cloud operating systems comes with some clear advantages but also a few drawbacks:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<h3>Pros<\/h3>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Resources are allocated as needed, so systems run without relying on a single physical machine<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> No need to invest in large data centers or maintain expensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/30137\/data-center-capacity-planning\">on-site hardware<\/a><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Automates many tasks and offers simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/113\/interface-if-programming\">interfaces<\/a> for managing IT resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2 pros_icons_\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<h3>Cons<\/h3>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> While you save on hardware, long-term usage fees can add up, especially with high resource demands<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> A stable, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2419\/internet\">fast connection<\/a> is needed, and outages can disrupt access<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Cloud providers\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13085\/power-outage\">outages<\/a> can impact your system&#8217;s availability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"cloud_os_vs_web_os\">Cloud OS vs. Web OS<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Web OS and cloud OS are both tied to modern computing, but they serve different purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a comparison:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive su-table-alternate\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Cloud OS<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Web OS<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Manages IT resources across <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/29019\/cloud-server\">cloud servers<\/a>.<\/td>\n<td>Runs web-based applications in a browser.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Scope<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Focused on backend cloud management.<\/td>\n<td>Designed for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/610\/end-user\">end-user<\/a> tasks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Integration<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Integrates with cloud infrastructures for scalability.<\/td>\n<td>Requires Internet for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26002\/web-based-application\">web apps<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Applications<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Used for distributed workloads and large-scale operations.<\/td>\n<td>Ideal for lightweight browser-based tasks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Key Difference<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Handles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1405\/back-end-system\">backend systems<\/a>.<\/td>\n<td>Focused on user interaction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The advent of cloud operating systems defined how we manage IT resources. They\u2019re easy to use, work with virtual infrastructures, and can be scaled up or down as needed.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, cloud operating systems aren\u2019t perfect. Things like Internet dependence and long-term costs can be an issue. But for most people, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is a cloud operating system in simple terms?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A cloud operating system explained simply, is software that manages and organizes resources like storage, processing, and networking across multiple servers in a cloud environment.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the difference between cloud OS vs. web OS?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A Web OS runs applications entirely through a web browser, while a Cloud OS manages IT resources and applications across a network of cloud servers.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is a cloud system with example?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A cloud system provides shared resources like storage and computing power over the Internet; an example is Amazon Web Services (AWS).<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What are the 4 main types of cloud computing systems?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">The four main types are public, private, hybrid, and multi-clouds.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is a Cloud Operating System (Cloud OS)? A cloud operating system (OS), simply defined, is an OS designed to manage resources like storage, processing power, and networking in a cloud environment. Unlike traditional operating systems, which run on a single device like your computer or phone, cloud OSs work across a network of remote [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286520,"featured_media":375969,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"definitioncat":[240],"class_list":["post-375953","definition","type-definition","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","definitioncat-cloud-service-providers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is a Cloud Operating System? 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