CS 5610: Introduction to Cloud Computing Lecture 4

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of a cloud hypervisor?

To provide encryption for data storage.

To create physical servers from virtual machines.

To monitor cloud resource usage.

To enable sharing of physical computing and memory resources across VMs. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT considered a cloud mechanism?

Cloud Resource Replication

Physical Server Management (correct)

Automated Scaling

Load Balancer

Why are virtual servers significant in cloud computing?

They increase the number of physical servers in the cloud.

They replace cloud storage entirely.

They eliminate the need for cloud security measures.

They allow multiple cloud consumers to share a single physical server. (correct)

Which of the following best describes the shared security responsibility in cloud environments?

Both cloud consumers and providers share the responsibility for security. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What defines the capacity of a physical server in relation to virtual servers?

The total number of virtual machines it can support. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism is used to automatically adjust resources based on demand?

Automated Scaling (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for establishing a logical network perimeter in cloud environments?

Logical Network Perimeter (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a common function of a load balancer in cloud services?

To distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the failover system do when a failure is detected in an IT resource?

It commands the load balancer to switch to another resource. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when the active instance of a Cloud Service A implementation fails?

The failover system activates a backup cloud service instance. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an active-passive configuration in a failover system?

The secondary resource remains inactive until a failure occurs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the resource cluster mechanism?

To logically group IT resources for improved allocation and use. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In an active-active configuration, how does the system respond to resource failure?

The active resource takes on extra workload without interruption. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about a cluster management platform is TRUE?

It is responsible for the coordination of clustered IT resources. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the load balancer play in the failover system?

It directs the workload to the active resource. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does a server cluster increase performance?

By clustering physical or virtual servers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an inactive implementation in a failover process?

It is activated to take over when the active resource fails. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What function does high-speed dedicated network connections serve in the resource cluster mechanism?

They facilitate communication for workload distribution and system synchronization. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of monitoring the operational status of the active instance?

To ensure that consumer requests are captured. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cloud services, what is typically the first action taken after a failure is detected?

An inactive implementation replaces the active one. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In an active-passive failover system, what happens to the backup instance during normal operation?

It remains idle and does not process any workloads. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of resource clusters?

They allow IT resources to operate as a single logical unit. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does a failover system ensure when one Cloud Service A implementation fails?

Continuity of service through workload redistribution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of resource cluster specifically involves virtual servers?

Server Cluster (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of misconfiguration in cloud services?

Human negligence (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one effective method to reduce the risk of unauthorized access?

Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which principle should be applied for user access to systems to enhance security?

Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What vulnerability occurs due to a lack of proper authentication or authorization mechanisms?

Insufficient Authorization (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can result from weak passwords or shared accounts in cloud environments?

Weak authentication (A) Signup and view all the answers

What incident affected the Broward Health public health system?

A large-scale data breach (D) Signup and view all the answers

How can organizations improve their security configurations?

By automating security checks (D) Signup and view all the answers

What potential consequence can arise from insufficient authorization in cloud environments?

Legal liability and data loss (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the VIM do in response to a busy physical server?

It commands the hypervisor to suspend execution of the virtual server. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does state information get synchronized during virtual server migration?

It is synchronized via a shared cloud storage device. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Logical Network Perimeter?

To isolate IT resources from unauthorized users. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key feature of the Logical Network Perimeter?

Centralized Data Management (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which technologies contribute to establishing the Logical Network Perimeter?

Software-defined networking, virtual networks, and security mechanisms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of virtual firewalls within the Logical Network Perimeter?

To filter network traffic. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the cloud storage mechanism enable?

Data storage, management, and access over the internet. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents implementations of logical network perimeters in cloud environments?

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in AWS and Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Comprehend the building blocks of cloud environments.
Explain how cloud mechanisms support cloud services and features.
Understand fundamental terms and concepts in cloud security.
Identify common threats and attacks in cloud environments.
Recognize the shared security responsibility between cloud consumers and providers.

Cloud Mechanisms

Technology-centric aspect of cloud computing necessitates a set of mechanisms for service support.
Key mechanisms include:
- Cloud Virtual Server and Hypervisor
- Automated Scaling
- Load Balancer
- Logical Network Perimeter
- Cloud Storage
- Usage Monitor
- Resource Replication
- Multi-device Broker
- Ready-Made Environment

Cloud Virtual Server

Virtual servers emulate physical servers to allow multiple consumers to share resources.
Each virtual server instance can host various IT resources and solutions.
Capacity limits dictate the number of virtual instances per physical server.
Terminology: Virtual Server is synonymous with Virtual Machine (VM).
Serves as a foundational aspect of cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Hypervisor

Software enabling resource sharing across multiple VMs on a cloud provider's physical server.
Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM) commands hypervisors, facilitating live migration of virtual servers.
Synchronization of state information (e.g., memory pages) is achieved through shared cloud storage.

Logical Network Perimeter

Acts as a virtual barrier separating a secure cloud environment from an external network.
Established using software-defined networking, virtual networks, and security measures.
Ensures secure internal communications and isolates cloud IT resources from unauthorized access.
Implementations include Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in AWS and Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure.

Cloud Storage Mechanism

Enables data management and access over the internet using remote servers.
Can be virtualized similar to physical servers.
Facilitates failover systems for operational continuity during errors.
- Active-Active: Both systems run concurrently, failover when one fails.
- Active-Passive: Standby system activates when the active system fails.

Resource Cluster Mechanism

Allows logical grouping of multiple IT resources to increase efficiency and capacity.
Resource instances can be managed as a single entity for improved availability.
High-speed connections facilitate communication among clustered resources for workload management.

Misconfiguration of Cloud Services

Commonly results from human error; preventable through:
- Deploying Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Applying the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) for access control.
- Automating security checks with appropriate tools.
- Following best practices for configuration.

Insufficient Authorization

Leads to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Often arises from weak passwords or shared accounts, resulting in broader access for attackers.
Attacks exacerbate risks associated with accessing protected IT resources.
Example: Broward Health data breach affected 1,357,879 individuals due to insufficient protections on medical information.

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Description

This quiz covers Cloud Mechanisms and Cloud Security as part of the CS 5610 course. It explores the building blocks of cloud environments, and explains how cloud services function. Additionally, common threats and attacks in cloud security are discussed, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject.