Cloud Computing Basics

Cloud Computing

• Definition: Cloud computing is a model for delivering IT services over the internet
• Key characteristics:
  • On-demand self-service
  • Broad network access
  • Resource pooling
  • Rapid elasticity
  • Measured service
• Deployment models:
  • Public cloud (e.g. AWS, Azure)
  • Private cloud (e.g. on-premises infrastructure)
  • Hybrid cloud (combination of public and private)
• Service models:
  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
  • PaaS (Platform as a Service)
  • SaaS (Software as a Service)

Network Security

• Importance: Protecting data and systems from unauthorized access and attacks
• Key concepts:
  • Firewall configuration
  • Access control lists (ACLs)
  • Encryption (e.g. SSL/TLS)
  • Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)
  • Network segmentation
• Threats:
  • Malware (e.g. viruses, Trojans)
  • Phishing
  • Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks

Server Management

• Responsibilities:
  • Hardware and software maintenance
  • Performance monitoring and optimization
  • Backup and recovery procedures
  • Security and access control
• Tools:
  • System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
  • PowerShell for automation and scripting
• Best practices:
  • Regularly update and patch servers
  • Monitor system logs and event logs
  • Implement a change management process

Office 365

• Cloud-based productivity suite
• Key features:
  • Email (Exchange Online)
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote online
  • SharePoint Online for collaboration and document management
  • Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration
• Administration:
  • Office 365 Admin Center for management and reporting
  • PowerShell for automation and scripting

AWS

• Amazon Web Services: a comprehensive cloud computing platform
• Key services:
  • EC2 (virtual servers)
  • S3 (object storage)
  • RDS (relational database service)
  • Lambda (serverless computing)
• Security:
  • IAM (Identity and Access Management) for access control
  • VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) for network isolation
  • Encryption and key management

NetApp

• Storage solutions for data management and protection
• Key products:
  • ONTAP for block-level storage
  • NetApp Cloud Volumes for cloud-based storage
  • SnapMirror for data replication and disaster recovery
• Features:
  • Data deduplication and compression
  • Snapshots for data protection
  • Clustered Data ONTAP for high availability

IIS

• Internet Information Services: a web server software
• Key features:
  • ASP.NET and ASP for web application development
  • IIS Manager for configuration and management
  • Support for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols
• Security:
  • SSL/TLS encryption for secure connections
  • Authentication and authorization mechanisms
  • Request filtering and URL rewriting

SQL

• Structured Query Language: a language for managing relational databases
• Key concepts:
  • Database design and normalization
  • SQL syntax and querying
  • Database administration and performance tuning
• Database management systems:
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL

Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing delivers IT services over the internet with on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service

Deployment Models

• Public cloud (e.g. AWS, Azure) is a 3rd-party managed cloud infrastructure
• Private cloud (e.g. on-premises infrastructure) is an organization-controlled cloud infrastructure
• Hybrid cloud combines public and private clouds

Service Models

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provides virtualized computing resources
• PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides a platform for application development and deployment
• SaaS (Software as a Service) provides software applications over the internet

Network Security

• Network security protects data and systems from unauthorized access and attacks
• Firewall configuration and access control lists (ACLs) control network traffic
• Encryption (e.g. SSL/TLS) and authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) ensure secure access
• Network segmentation divides a network into smaller, isolated segments

Threats

• Malware (e.g. viruses, Trojans) infiltrate and harm systems
• Phishing attacks trick users into revealing sensitive information
• Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks overwhelm systems with traffic

Server Management

• Server management involves hardware and software maintenance, performance monitoring, backup and recovery, and security and access control
• System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) aid in server management
• PowerShell automates and scripts server tasks

Best Practices

• Regularly update and patch servers to prevent vulnerabilities
• Monitor system logs and event logs for issues
• Implement a change management process for organized updates

Office 365

• Office 365 is a cloud-based productivity suite with email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and collaboration tools
• SharePoint Online facilitates collaboration and document management
• Microsoft Teams enables communication and collaboration
• Office 365 Admin Center manages and reports on the suite
• PowerShell automates Office 365 tasks

AWS

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive cloud computing platform
• Key services include EC2 (virtual servers), S3 (object storage), RDS (relational database service), and Lambda (serverless computing)
• IAM (Identity and Access Management) controls access and VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) provides network isolation
• Encryption and key management secure AWS resources

NetApp

• NetApp provides storage solutions for data management and protection
• ONTAP offers block-level storage and NetApp Cloud Volumes provides cloud-based storage
• SnapMirror enables data replication and disaster recovery

Features

• Data deduplication and compression reduce storage needs
• Snapshots protect data and clustered Data ONTAP enables high availability

IIS

• Internet Information Services (IIS) is a web server software
• Key features include ASP.NET and ASP for web application development and IIS Manager for configuration
• IIS supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols

Security

• SSL/TLS encryption enables secure connections
• Authentication and authorization mechanisms control access
• Request filtering and URL rewriting enhance security

SQL

• Structured Query Language (SQL) manages relational databases
• Key concepts include database design, normalization, SQL syntax, and querying
• Database administration and performance tuning ensure efficient databases

Database Management Systems

• Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL are popular database management systems