Introduction to Cloud Computing

Introduction to Cloud Computing

• "The cloud" consists of Internet-accessible servers, software, and databases

• Cloud servers are in data centers worldwide, removing the need for users to manage physical servers or run software on their own machines

• Data centers physically house computing machines and related hardware

• Cloud computing is also known as utility or on-demand computing

• "Services" are resources actively managed in the cloud

• Infrastructure, applications, development tools, and data storage are key components of cloud services

• These services are grouped into service models

• In cloud computing, "compute" refers to software computation concepts

• Terminology is used to describe processing power, memory, networking, and storage

• Cloud computing provides on-demand access to computer resources like data storage and computing power without direct user management

• Functions of large clouds are distributed across multiple data centers

• Cloud computing uses resource sharing to achieve coherence and operates using a pay-as-you-go model, reducing capital expenses

• Cloud computing involves using hosted services like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software over the internet

• Data is stored on physical servers managed by a provider

• Computer resources such as data storage and computing power are available on-demand without user management

• Cloud computing systems shift the workload

• Cloud computing handles heavy loads automatically, reducing hardware and software demands on the user's side

• Only cloud computing interface software is needed on the user's computer

• Cloud computing is about renting computing services; the idea emerged in the 1950s

Evolution of Cloud Computing

• Distributed systems are multiple independent systems functioning as a single entity

• Resource sharing enhances efficiency but all systems must be in the same geographical location

• Mainframe computing emerged in 1951, offering powerful and reliable computing

• Tasks include handling large data and massive input-output operations, with almost no downtime

• Cluster computing emerged as a lower-cost alternative to mainframes

• Cluster computing emerged in the 1980s as a cost-effective alternative to mainframe computing

• High bandwidth networks connected cluster machines, with new nodes easily added

• The issue related to geographical restrictions remained

• Grid computing emerged in the 1990s to address geographical restrictions

• Systems in different geographical locations connected via the Internet, forming heterogeneous nodes

• The main issue was low availability of high-bandwidth connectivity

• Cloud computing became known as the "Successor of grid computing"

• Virtualization, introduced almost 40 years ago, creates a virtual layer over hardware, allowing multiple instances to run simultaneously

• It is a key technology in cloud computing, forming the base for services like Amazon EC2 and VMware vCloud

• Web 2.0 is the interface through which cloud computing services and clients interact

• Interactive and dynamic web pages enabled social media and increased flexibility

• Google Maps, Facebook, and Twitter are examples; Web 2.0 gained popularity in 2004

• Service orientation acts as a reference model for cloud computing, supporting low-cost, flexible applications

• Two key concepts emerged - Quality of Service (QoS), including Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and Software as a Service (SaaS)

• Utility computing defines service provisioning techniques, including pay-per-use models

Characteristics of Cloud Computing

• Resource pooling involves a multi-tenant model for delivering computing resources to diverse clients, depending on customer requirements

• On-demand self-service allows users to track server uptimes, capability, and network storage

• Easy maintenance includes simple server management and minimal downtime, also offers regular updates

• Users with an internet connection can access cloud data from anywhere

• Capacity can be changed based on cloud usage

• Cloud computing analyzes data automatically and reports usage

• Cloud computing utilizes a one-off investment, reducing costs

• Cloud security stores data snapshots, offering protection from server damage

• Pay-as-you-go means that only the space or service used incurs a charge

• Measured service monitors and tracks resources used

Challenges of Cloud Computing

• Data security is a major data security concern

• Responsibility of user authentication, identity management, data encryption and access control

• Security issues leads to a potential loss in revenue

• High-speed data transfer is susceptible to data leaks

• Cost management involves incurring huge costs using cloud computing due to under optimization

• Unused resources will increase costs

• Leaving services on when there is not current use of it, increases costs

• Multi-cloud environments is when the companies not only use a single cloud but depend on multiple cloud service providers

• Hybrid cloud tactics are used and is difficult to manage for the infrastructure team

• The process is complex for the IT team

• Performance challenge is an important factor while considering cloud-based solutions

• Unsatisfactory cloud performance can drive away users

• The product of inefficient load balancing, where the server cannot efficiently split the incoming traffic to provide the best user experience

• Operations will pause in the case of fault tolerance

• Interoperability and Flexibility

• Organizations want to switch to another cloud-based solution

• There is a lack of flexibility from switching from one cloud to another

• Difficult to use applications from original cloud for another

• Security set up must be redone

• High Dependence on Network

• Requires high speed network

• Data transfer is enormous in cloud computing

• Risk of business loss during a sudden outage

• Lack of Knowledge and Expertise

• Need for constant research

• Lack of skilled experts because need to update themselves constantly

Novel Applications of cloud computing

• Modern public clouds have a wide range of applications

• Cloud is used for testing and development; ready-made environments speed up timelines

• Production workload hosting is used- careful design is needed

• Big data analytics involves remote data centers that offer valuable insights

• Major cloud providers tailor services like Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Dataproc

• IaaS is used for scalable IT infrastructures

• Pay-as-you-go subscriptions are cost-effective

• PaaS is used to develop, run and manage applications easily, increasing the development speed for applications and enable higher-level programming.

• Hybrid clouds offer flexibility regarding costs and efficiency

• Multi-cloud is when Subscribers use services fit for workload requirements

• Storage allows for access to data and lowered storage costs

• Disaster recovery provided and offered at lower costs

• Data backup offers easy to manage security

• AI allows developers to create AI services

• Internet of things has cloud platforms offer scalabilty

Security risk of cloud computing

• Data loss occurs most commonly

• Hacked Interfaces and Insecure APIs is a security risk

• Data Breach is process organization's data compromised

• Vendor lock in is when moving one cloud to another causes difficulty

• Increased complexity strains the IT staff

• Spectre & Meltdown attacks include programs can steal data

• Denial of service (DoS) attacks are targeted at servers and have a cost involved

• Account hijacking includes users cloud account is stolen

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

• Cost efficiency is when data does not need to be stored on disks

• High speed is when deployment of services is quick

• Excellent accessibility is when data can be stored from anywhere in the world

• Back-up and restore data is when once data is stored in the cloud, it is easier to get its backup and recovery

• Manageability is when their are no needed IT infrastructure updates and maintenance

• Strategic Edge is when cloud computing provides a competitive edge over its competitors

• Easy implementation retains the same process and infrastructure

• Everything is hosted therefore there is no need for hardware

• The software integrates automatically and needs no customization or additional work

• Reliability is very high with cloud hosting

• Mobility on or off site allows staff to easily access files

• There is very high and limitless storage capacity that is made availabe with a nominal monthly fee

• Collaboration allows for employees to conveneintly work together thanks to computing platforms

• Cloud computing may pose serious challenges in terms of information theft

• Security measures must be put into place because of the vulnerability to attacks

• Network connectivity is a dependency

• Need internet to operate cloud computing

• Downtime occurs because of outages and temporary interruptions

• Vendor lock-in has serious challenges when migrating from platforms

• Hosting, Running, Support issues, configuration Limited control over deployment

• Limited Features are offered because of limitations

• Servers all together need to be ready

• High cost because of bandwidth and not packing too much into data center.

• Support lacking.

• Varied performaces when shared resources.