Cloud Computing Fundamentals

Definition and Characteristics

• Cloud computing is a model of delivering computing services over the internet
• On-demand access to a shared pool of computing resources (e.g., servers, storage, applications)
• Characteristics:
  • On-demand self-service
  • Broad network access
  • Resource pooling
  • Rapid elasticity
  • Measured service

Service Models

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Provides virtualized computing resources (e.g., servers, storage)
  • Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  • Provides a complete development and deployment environment for applications
  • Examples: Heroku, Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
  • Provides software applications over the internet
  • Examples: Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace

Deployment Models

• Public Cloud
  • Owned and operated by a third-party provider
  • Open to the general public
  • Examples: AWS, Azure, GCP
• Private Cloud
  • Owned and operated by a single organization
  • Not open to the general public
  • Examples: corporate data centers, virtual private clouds
• Hybrid Cloud
  • Combines public and private cloud services
  • Allows for data and application portability
  • Examples: Microsoft Azure Stack, AWS Outposts

Benefits

• Scalability
  • Rapidly scale up or down to meet changing business needs
• Cost-effectiveness
  • Reduce capital and operational expenses
• Flexibility
  • Access to a wide range of services and applications
• Reliability
  • Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities

Challenges and Risks

• Security and Compliance
  • Ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance
• Data Sovereignty
  • Ensuring data is stored and processed in accordance with local laws and regulations
• Vendor Lock-in
  • Difficulty in switching cloud providers due to proprietary technologies
• Interoperability
  • Ensuring seamless integration between cloud services and applications

Cloud Computing Definition and Characteristics

• Cloud computing delivers computing services over the internet via on-demand access to a shared pool of computing resources, such as servers, storage, and applications.
• Key characteristics include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service.

Service Models

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources, such as servers and storage, with examples including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a complete development and deployment environment for applications, with examples including Heroku, Google App Engine, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet, with examples including Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Workspace.

Deployment Models

• Public Cloud: Owned and operated by a third-party provider, open to the general public, with examples including AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Private Cloud: Owned and operated by a single organization, not open to the general public, with examples including corporate data centers and virtual private clouds.
• Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private cloud services, allowing for data and application portability, with examples including Microsoft Azure Stack and AWS Outposts.

Benefits

• Scalability: Rapidly scale up or down to meet changing business needs.
• Cost-effectiveness: Reduce capital and operational expenses.
• Flexibility: Access to a wide range of services and applications.
• Reliability: Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.

Challenges and Risks

• Security and Compliance: Ensure data protection and regulatory compliance.
• Data Sovereignty: Ensure data is stored and processed in accordance with local laws and regulations.
• Vendor Lock-in: Difficulty in switching cloud providers due to proprietary technologies.
• Interoperability: Ensure seamless integration between cloud services and applications.

Learn about the definition and characteristics of cloud computing, including on-demand access to shared resources, and its various service models such as IaaS.