Cloud Computing Lecture 1

Questions and Answers

What defines cloud computing's ability to scale resources?

Mandatory long-term contracts

Elastic scaling up and down in capacity (correct)

Fixed capacity and functionality

Limited accessibility and control

How does cloud computing affect capital and operational expenditures?

Requires upfront payment for all resources

Encourages purchasing of additional local infrastructure

Increases both CAPEX and OPEX significantly

Eliminates the need for hardware investments (correct)

What aspect of cloud computing enhances collaboration among employees?

Accessibility of data from anywhere at any time (correct)

Data isolation from external access

Difficulty in accessing shared resources

Requirement of offline availability for data

What is a significant benefit of cloud computing regarding software maintenance?

Maintenance and upgrades are handled by cloud service providers Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of cloud computing ensures availability of services from various locations?

Ubiquitous access Signup and view all the answers

What defines the utility computing model associated with cloud services?

Payment based on resource utilization Signup and view all the answers

What role does agility play in cloud computing?

It enables quick adaptation to changing demands Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason organizations find cloud computing to be inexpensive?

Minimal need for physical infrastructure investment Signup and view all the answers

What is cloud computing primarily characterized by?

On-demand delivery of computing resources via the Internet Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'cloud' historically represent in telecommunications?

An abstraction of the network in system diagrams Signup and view all the answers

What does a 99.9999999% uptime signify in cloud computing?

Downtime is restricted to 31.56 milliseconds. Signup and view all the answers

Which model does cloud computing fall under according to NIST?

Ubiquitous network access to a shared pool of resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge associated with cloud computing?

Lack of standards in the industry. Signup and view all the answers

How is cloud computing defined in terms of physical resources?

A collection of interconnected and virtualized computers Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of mainframe computing?

They are designed for bulk data processing. Signup and view all the answers

What was an advantage of cluster computing over mainframe computing?

Accessibility to cheaper commodity machines. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of cloud services allows users to interact without worrying about infrastructure?

User-friendly graphical interfaces or APIs Signup and view all the answers

According to industry definitions, how can cloud services be accessed?

Using a Web browser or an API. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of cloud computing services?

Dynamic provisioning of computing resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a main benefit of using cloud computing for businesses?

Paying only for what is used. Signup and view all the answers

What do service-level agreements in cloud computing define?

The terms of service provision between suppliers and consumers Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a characteristic of cloud computing as defined in the provided content?

Mandatory local installations for software updates Signup and view all the answers

Which computing evolution stage is characterized by highly reliable computers for massive input/output operations?

Mainframe Computing. Signup and view all the answers

How did cluster computing become standard technology for parallel computing?

Economical commodity systems were connected as a single system. Signup and view all the answers

What technology served as a foundation for the development of grid computing?

Cluster technology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes grid computing?

It aggregates computer resources from various administrative domains for common tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of cluster technology over traditional supercomputing?

Lower initial setup costs using commodity machines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core concept behind utility computing?

Offering computing power as a metered, pay-per-use service. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of grid computing?

It requires complete administrative control over all resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cloud Computing Overview

Cloud computing delivers computing power, database storage, applications, and IT resources through internet-based services with a pay-as-you-go model.
It is a network-based computing paradigm that extends utility computing, integrating hardware, software, and internet infrastructure as a cohesive platform.
The term "cloud" historically represents network abstraction in telecommunications.
Cloud computing encompasses both services provided over the internet and the underlying hardware/software in data centers.
It allows for ubiquitous, on-demand network access to a shared pool of computing resources, which can be rapidly provisioned and released.

Key Characteristics

Remotely hosted services and data, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Service delivery resembles utility models where users pay only for the resources they utilize.
Features a dynamic, interconnected, and virtualized computing environment that simplifies user interaction via graphical user interfaces or APIs.

Importance of Cloud Computing

Reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX), eliminating the need for costly hardware and services.
Provides elasticity and flexibility, enabling users to scale resources to match demand.
Facilitates auto-updating for software and maintenance managed by service providers, reducing user burden.
Enhances collaboration by offering access to shared data and tools for employees regardless of location.
Promotes agility and speed with service-level agreements (SLAs) ensuring high uptime and efficient resource allocation, with some providers offering 99.99% uptime.

Evolution of Computing Technologies

Mainframe Computing: Early large computational facilities specializing in high data processing and reliable operations, aimed at bulk data tasks for large organizations.
Cluster Computing: Introduced as a cost-effective alternative to mainframes/supercomputers by connecting multiple commodity machines via high-bandwidth networks.
Grid Computing: Emerged in the 1990s, aggregating geographically dispersed clusters for shared computational resources and collaborative tasks.
Utility Computing: A business model offering metered computing services, similar to public utilities, emphasizing a pay-per-use approach.

Cloud Computing Challenges

Security and Privacy: Protecting user data and ensuring secure service delivery remains a major concern.
Lack of Standards: The absence of uniform standards can complicate integration and interoperability among cloud services.
Continuously Evolving: Rapid technological advancements necessitate constant adaptation and updates in cloud services.
Compliance Concerns: Meeting regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions can be complex for cloud service providers.
Legal Issues: Data ownership, jurisdiction, and liability matters present challenges in the cloud computing landscape.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental definitions and concepts of cloud computing discussed in Lecture 1. It explores the on-demand delivery of IT resources and the nature of network-based computing. Test your understanding of the basics of cloud services and their applications.