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Questions and Answers
What is one key operational benefit of clustering?
Which type of cluster is focused on distributing workloads evenly across multiple nodes?
What does Utility Computing charge customers based on?
What characterizes the network in a typical cluster?
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How does clustering provide hardware fault tolerance?
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What is an advantage of the utility computing model over traditional computing models?
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Which characteristic typically defines parallel/distributed processing clusters?
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What does the term 'loosely coupled' refer to in the context of clusters?
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What characterizes a public cloud?
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What is an example of a hybrid cloud application?
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What is a virtual machine (VM)?
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What role does a hypervisor play in virtualization?
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What is para-virtualization primarily known for?
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Which of the following is a component of a virtualized stack?
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What does the term 'resource quota' in virtual workspaces refer to?
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Which cloud deployment model consists of a mixture of private and public clouds?
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What is one performance benefit of cloud computing?
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How do cloud applications handle software updates?
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What storage advantage does cloud computing provide?
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Which statement about data reliability in cloud computing is true?
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What is a primary cost benefit of using cloud computing software?
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What compatibility issue does cloud computing help to eliminate?
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What problem does cloud computing solve regarding software upgrades?
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Which of the following statements about cloud computing is FALSE?
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What does rapid elasticity in cloud computing allow consumers to do?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of cloud services related to computing resources?
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In the Software as a Service (SaaS) model, what is the consumer allowed to do?
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Which cloud service model allows the consumer to deploy their own applications onto the cloud infrastructure?
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What is a community cloud?
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Which of the following best describes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?
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What does 'service orientation' imply in cloud computing?
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How does virtualization contribute to cloud computing?
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What is a potential disadvantage of using web-based applications compared to desktop applications?
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What concern is raised regarding the security of data stored in the cloud?
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Why is scheduling important for HPC applications in cloud computing?
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What is one of the business drivers for adopting cloud computing?
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What is a drawback of using cloud computing related to data backup?
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Why might applications need to be adapted when switching to cloud systems?
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What is the illusion provided by cloud computing from an end-user perspective?
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What issue can arise with running compute-intensive HPC applications in cloud computing?
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Study Notes
Cluster Deployment
- Clusters improve speed and reliability, often at a lower cost than single computers with comparable performance
- Clusters typically have faster, closer network connections than a LAN, with low latency communication protocols
- Clusters are loosely coupled compared to Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) systems
Types of Clusters
- High Availability or Failover Clusters: Designed to ensure continuous service even if a component fails
- Load Balancing Clusters: Distribute workload across multiple nodes to improve performance and prevent overload
- Parallel/Distributed Processing Clusters: Execute tasks in parallel across multiple nodes for high-performance computing
Cluster Components
- Cluster Nodes: Individual computers within the cluster
- Cluster Network: Interconnects cluster nodes for communication
- Network Characterization: Measures network performance characteristics like latency and bandwidth
Operational Benefits of Clustering
- System Availability: Redundancy of hardware, operating systems, and applications provides high availability
- Hardware Fault Tolerance: Redundancy of components like disk-RAID ensures resilience to hardware failures
- OS and Application Reliability: Multiple copies of operating systems and applications enhance reliability
- Scalability: Easy addition of servers or clusters to accommodate growing computational needs
- High Performance: Running cluster-enabled programs can significantly improve performance compared to single-computer systems
Utility Computing
- A model where resources are rented on demand and paid for based on usage, similar to utility services like electricity
- Offers low initial cost and flexible scaling as needed
- Example: Amazon Web Services
Common Characteristics of Utility Computing
- Massive Scale: Supporting a large number of users and workloads concurrently
- Resilient Computing: Tolerant to failures and able to recover quickly
- Homogeneity: Using similar hardware and software across the platform
- Geographic Distribution: Data and processing can be distributed across diverse locations
- Virtualization: Utilizing virtual machines to optimize resource utilization and flexibility
- Service Orientation: Offering services through APIs and standardized interfaces
- Low Cost Software: Emphasizing cost-effective solutions and leveraging open source technologies
- Advanced Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect data and infrastructure
Cloud Services Models
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Users access and use provider's applications over the internet, e.g., Google Spreadsheets
- Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Users provision and manage computing resources like servers, storage, and networks, e.g., Amazon Web Services
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Users deploy and run their applications on provider's platform, e.g., Google App Engine
Types of Cloud Deployment Models
- Private Cloud: Cloud infrastructure operated solely for a single organization
- Community Cloud: Shared cloud infrastructure for a specific group of organizations with a common goal
- Public Cloud: Cloud infrastructure accessible to the general public, e.g., Google Docs
- Hybrid Cloud: Combination of two or more cloud types, e.g., using public cloud for load balancing
Cloud and Virtualization
- Virtual Workspaces: Abstract execution environments dynamically available to authorized clients
- Virtual Machines (VMs): Abstract physical machines, managed by hypervisors, e.g., VMWare, Xen
- Virtualized Stack: Layers of software abstraction for resource management and optimization
Virtual Machines (VMs)
- Multiple VMs can run on a single physical machine, providing resource isolation and flexibility
- Performance: Para-virtualization techniques like Xen can achieve performance close to native hardware
Advantages of Cloud Computing
- Improved Performance: Reduced competition for resources and faster booting and running times
- Reduced Software Costs: Free or cost-effective cloud applications provide similar features to expensive commercial software
- Instant Software Updates: Automatic updates without user intervention or upgrade costs
- Improved Document Format Compatibility: Reduced format incompatibilities due to standardized cloud-based platforms
- Unlimited Storage Capacity: Virtual limitless storage space available compared to traditional hard drives
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
- Stored Data Might Not Be Secured: Potential for unauthorized access to data stored in the cloud
- Stored Data Can Be Lost: Data loss could occur in the event of unforeseen cloud outages or disruptions
- HPC Systems: Not optimal for running compute-intensive HPC applications that rely on parallel processing and low latency communication
- General Concerns: Differences in protocols and APIs between cloud providers can hinder interoperability between different cloud environments
Evolution of Cloud Computing
- Business Drivers: Cloud computing's primary appeal lies in its potential to significantly reduce IT costs
- End User Perspective: Offers the illusion of unlimited capacity with rapid scaling and pay-per-use pricing
- Private Data Centers: High capacity provisioning for peak usage leads to lower average utilization in private data centers, making cloud more cost-effective in some cases
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Description
Test your knowledge on the deployment and types of clusters. This quiz covers the components, benefits, and various clustering systems like high availability and load balancing. Dive into the world of distributed computing and enhance your understanding of cluster technology!
