Cloud Networking: Extremely Fundamental to Cloud Computing

In today's fast-paced times, where i-pads, i-phones, MacBook's (Pro and Air) are becoming extremely popular as the 'new-age' computer devices, the terminology the 'cloud' has become extremely popular. However, what is this cloud that is constantly being referred to? An abstract term, the cloud is not a physical object which can be touched or felt. It is a network of servers, where each server has a different function to perform.

 For instance, if a person takes a picture using their Smartphone then the image is stored in the phone’s internal memory. However, if a person uploads the photo on Instagram, then they are uploading it on the cloud. In short, the cloud refers to a network of servers. While there are certain servers where which provide online services such as Adobe Creative Cloud, there are others which allow a person to store and even access the data, such as Dropbox or Instagram.

In most cases, people access the cloud daily, through the Google Drive, or SkyDrive to even iCloud or Evernote whenever they want to store information without making use of the internal storage of their phones. They instead can store their information on the cloud. By making use of the cloud, it offers people a tremendous amount of convenience and reliability. People are also less likely to lose data from the cloud.

The cloud network is extremely fundamental to cloud computing. Cloud networking essentially refers to the paradigm for building and managing secure private networks over the (public) internet by making use of global cloud computing infrastructure.

Thus, in cloud networking the traditional network functions as well as services which are inclusive of security, connectivity, control and management are pushed towards the cloud and delivered as a service. There are two main categories of cloud networking.

 These include Cloud-Based Networking (CBN) and Cloud-Enabled Networking (CEN). While Cloud-Based Networking (CBN) moves all of the core networking functions such as the actual packet path and addressing into the cloud and ensures to eliminate any need for local hardware (other than that which provides for an internet connection), Cloud-Enabled Networking (CEN) refers to the management and movement of only specific (certain) aspects of control (such as policy definition) into the cloud. However, it keeps packet-mode functions such as switching, routing and security services (local and in hardware) and connectivity.

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Compare Term Insurance Plans Online

Life is the most precious gift that has been given to us and it would be impossible to put a price tag on a person. However, financial security and protection is an absolute essential in today’s time and age where there are risks waiting at each and every corner. Life insurance, one of the most common types of insurance packages are known to provide the beneficiary with a certain designated amount at the event of the death of the person who has been insured.

There are many types of life insurance products available in the market, ranging from whole life plans, endowment policies, limited payment policies, double endowment policies, etc. However, term insurance plans are the most popular ones that are availed by millions of people across the country.

So, what is term plan?

Also known as term assurance, it refers to that life protection providing a person with a coverage amount for a specific period of time (fixed tenure). After the policy expires though, the policy is of no value until it is renewed. These policies are known to offer the most value for money proposition. However, when choosing these policies, it is very important to pay attention to the claim settlement ratio. It is easy to find information regarding the various claim settlement ratios that are offered by term insurance providers, according to the IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority) of 2014.  

Purchasing these products online has become a very popular method for people since the past few years.  People are able to compare term insurance plans that are offered by different insurance companies, all on a single platform. This helps them make a wiser decision when they decide to purchase a policy.

This is one of the most beneficial aspects of purchasing a plan online. People are able to gain a deeper insight about their prices in the market. They do not need to physically visit each company to find out the price. All they have to do is conduct a bit of research and they can compare policies.   

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Online TV Quizzes to Tease Your Brain Regarding Hindi Serials

Hindi TV shows are popular across the country. Besides the regular ‘saas-bahu’ (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) shows that are shown that dramatize family politics, there are also many other popular genres such as reality shows, drama shows, romantic series and even comedy soaps. There may also be a mix-match in various genres as well. However, one thing remains constant and that is the constant curiosity that Indians have regarding the various TV shows that are telecast.

Many of the channels that telecast these shows have their own websites, where people can participate in online quizzes and polls to test their knowledge about the various series. Ardent followers of popular shows such as Devon ke Dev Mahadev, Mahabharat, Jodha Akbar, etc. are most likely to participate in these quizzes. They test the knowledge regarding the happenings of various shows and may have questions that have multiple answers, where a person can choose the correct one. Usually these online quizzes do not have a time-frame. After submitting all the answers to the online test, one can find out how well-versed they are with the TV series.

These TV quizzes can tell a person how much they really know about their favourite shows and also how big of a fan they are. There are plenty of online tests, quizzes and polls, where people can put their knowledge to use. These can be found for almost each Hindi TV show that is telecast on Hindi TV channels.

Besides the websites of the various Hindi channels, many portals where people can create their own quiz. All they have to do is enter in their personal information such as their name, email ID’s, a picture, category of test, and submit the questions and the poll answers.

So, tease your brain a bit and take part in these online tests to find out how much you really know about various Hindi shows. Whether it is Nadaan Parinde, Gustakh Dil, Welcome 2 – Baazi Mehmaan Ki, Do Dil…Ek Jaan, Savdhaan India @ 11 India Fights Back, Kaisa Yeh Ishq…Ajab Sa Risk Hai, Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev, Ek Boond Ishq or Tumhari Paakhi find out how much you are well-versed with about the show.

Not only are they a great way to pass your time, but are also fun to do. Besides finding these quizzes on the various websites of Hindi TV channels online, it is also possible to find these polls, games, contests and quizzes on different Hindi entertainment portals that are dedicated to their TV series.
They are free of cost and one does not have to invest any money while participating in these quizzes.  Many of these online quizzes involve winning many prizes as well. They may be in the form of money or could also be freebies as well. There is also an option for many Indians to sign up to participate in upcoming quizzes as well. These tests will be delivered to their personal email ID’s that they have provided. So, go ahead and tease your brain!

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Online Shoe Shopping: A Convenient Way to Shop for Shoes

Want to go shoe shopping, but avoid the hassle of having to travel to various malls or stores? Don’t worry, in today’s digitised era, you can shop as much as you want for almost every type of shoe from various websites and online portals. Doesn’t that sound absolutely wonderful? With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can purchase them and make your payments online, where your delivery will be shipped to your house, most often free of additional charges!

Online shoe shopping has helped men and women lead extremely convenient lives, where if they lack the time to visit a store, they can always browse through the wide collection of footwear online and make their purchases. Working man and women find this option to be an extremely useful technique or style of shopping, where they do not have to go out of their way if they want to buy a new pair of shoes or sandals.

Not only can they browse through the wide variety of formal, casual, ethnic and sports footwear that are available, but they can also shop for different shoe accessories online. From laces, polishes, brushes, insoles, etc. there are many accessories to choose from online. Sizes are also available for people as well, and if a particular pair does not fit a person upon delivery, they have the option to exchange it for one that does.

People browse through a wide variety of footwear of various brands, and also search for ‘exactly’ what they are looking for, without having to search very far. By entering ‘certain keywords’ one can get a variety of footwear to match the type. There are absolutely no crowds or queues that one has to go through. So, impatient shoppers have a benefit over here. The websites of various retailers are open 24/7, so there is no fixed time limit when a person can shop online.

This is unlike visiting the store where there are fixed timings when the shop opens and closes. It is extremely easy to compare different footwear online and also read reviews that have been written by other people, before one decides to buy a pair. One of not restricted to one’s ‘geographical location’; they can browse through a wide variety of that is available from any part of the country, and have them delivered to their residence. Very often, the prices are often cheaper online and there are also online discounts that are periodically offered as compared to the when shopping in stores.  

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Fixed Maturity Plans: Better than Fixed Deposits?

When it comes to making investments, investors have to be extremely prudent about where their funds are going to be kept. Which financial instrument would be a better option than the other for both short-term and long-term goals? Fixed deposits have been known to be the top most favourite amongst investors for long term investment. However, this is wrong!

Fixed maturity plans (FMPs), launched by various mutual funds are known to give higher and better returns than Fixed Deposits. So what are fixed maturity plans (FMPs)? Known to be closed-ended Mutual Fund schemes, which have a pre-defined maturity, these investment options have their primary objective to generate steady returns over a fixed period. This period may be from one month to even five years.

They are a mutual fund scheme that has a maturity date and the fund manager will invest in different bonds or other fixed income instruments that mature before the maturity of the scheme. It is very similar to a fixed deposit, but it is not the same. Although they don’t ensure guaranteed returns, or offer liquidity of the schemes, there is the possibility of earning tax free returns that are due to double indexation benefit (which is available for some FMPs). There is a minimum interest rate risk and credit risk, making it a preferred option for most fixed income investors.

The investments made in FMPs are known to mature before the maturity of the scheme. Therefore, there is no interest rate risk that investors have to be exposed to. The very fact that these investment options are tax-efficient automatically makes it a better option, where returns are higher.  However, premature withdrawals are not permitted as is the case for bank Fixed Deposits. Bank deposits are also known to come with deposit insurance (for a holding of up to Rs 1 lakh); there is no such similar facility for FMPs.  

FMPs are especially known to shield (protect) investors from the fluctuations in interest rates by investing in a portfolio of debt securities. Some of these include debentures, certificates of deposits and commercial papers. Their tenors have to match that of the scheme. At the end of the FMP term, these securities can be redeemed. For instance, these funds are good only if the investor will remain invested until the time of maturity. If an investor cannot do that, it might not be a better option than fixed deposits.

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