Cloud computing allows for centralized data storage and online access to computer services and resources. It utilizes remote servers that are networked together. There are different types of cloud environments including public, private, and hybrid clouds. Cloud computing provides on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources like networks, servers, storage, applications and services that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort. It offers advantages such as broad network access, rapid elasticity, and usage-based pricing.