Cloud Computing Responsibilities and Multitenancy

Cloud Provider Responsibilities

• Cloud providers handle all platform responsibilities, including backups, system maintenance, security, hardware refresh, and power management.
• Consumers are relieved from these operational tasks and can focus on their applications.

Multitenant Solutions

• Multitenancy enables multiple users to utilize a single instance of resources while maintaining virtual isolation.
• Consumers can customize applications without disturbing core functionalities.

SaaS Issues

• Browser-based risks can compromise consumer data if accessed via infected browsers. Using multiple browsers can mitigate this risk.
• SaaS requires constant network availability, and reliability cannot be guaranteed by either the provider or the consumer.
• Portability issues arise when transferring workloads between different SaaS clouds due to provider-specific workflows and interfaces.

Open SaaS and SOA

• Open SaaS applications are developed using open-source programming and compatible with any open-source operating system and database.
• Benefits include no licensing fees, low deployment costs, reduced vendor lock-in, portability, and robustness.

Identity as a Service (IDaaS)

• IDaaS simplifies identity management and electronic transactions, addressing challenges like remembering multiple credentials.
• Key features of IDaaS include directory services, federated services, registration, authentication, risk monitoring, single sign-on, and identity management.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

• SSO streamlines user access by allowing a single login to authenticate access across multiple systems.
• The SSO process involves a user logging into the authentication server, receiving a ticket, and using that ticket to access other servers.

Federated Identity Management (FIDM)

• FIDM facilitates the packaging of security credentials across different security domains, enhancing user mobility across services.

Challenges of Cloud Storage

• Consumers face challenges including the ability to provision storage on demand, control over data location, verification of data erasure, and access to hardware disposal processes.
• Administrator access control is crucial for data management.

Virtualization

• Virtualization enables resource sharing among multiple organizations by creating logical names for physical resources.
• It allows for the creation of virtual machines (VMs) that are separate from the underlying hardware.

Hypervisors

• Hypervisors are critical for managing virtual machines and come in two types:
  • Type 1 (bare-metal hypervisors) runs directly on hardware without a host OS.
  • Type 2 (hosted hypervisors) runs on existing operating systems emulating device interactions.

Types of Hardware Virtualization

• Full Virtualization simulates the entire underlying hardware without needing guest software modifications.
• Emulation Virtualization allows VMs to operate independently of the actual hardware configuration.
• Paravirtualization enables guest software to manage their own isolated domains without hardware simulation.

Cloud Computing Security

• Security is paramount; data must be stored encrypted and should utilize proxy or brokerage services for protection.
• Prior to resource deployment, assess the sensitivity, the required cloud service model, and the specific cloud type.
• The risk assessment is influenced by the selected service models and cloud types.

Applications in Cloud Services

• Collaboration: Chatter enables real-time sharing of organizational information.
• Productivity: Google Apps offer tools for document collaboration; QuickBooks provides online accounting.
• Data Storage and Backup: Services like Box.com and Mozy provide flexible file management and backup solutions.
• Management Applications: Tools like Toggl and Evernote help with time tracking and note organization.
• Social Applications: Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter facilitate social networking and updates.
• Entertainment Applications: Audiobox.fm allows for online music streaming.

Conclusion

• Cloud computing encompasses a broad range of services and applications, integrating security and technology effectively to address consumer needs and enhance operational efficiency.

Explore the key responsibilities managed by cloud providers, including backups, system maintenance, and security. Understand the concept of multitenancy and how it enables multiple users to share resources while maintaining application customization. This quiz will enhance your knowledge of these essential cloud computing principles.