Introduction to Cloud Computing

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Questions and Answers

What is a key benefit of deploying applications in a PaaS environment?

Reduced need for virtualization technology

Full control over data center space allocation

Ability to manage underlying hardware and software layers

No need to worry about buying and managing underlying hardware and software layers (correct)

What is a characteristic of IaaS?

Allows for the deployment of custom applications

Eliminates the need for virtualization technology

Provides software applications over the internet

Offers virtualized computing resources as a service (correct)

What is a key difference between SaaS and PaaS?

Level of control over underlying infrastructure (correct)

Scalability of resources provided

Type of applications provided

Level of virtualization technology required

What is a key enabler of IaaS?

Virtualization technology Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using cloud infrastructure?

Ability to buy resources as needed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary enabler of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

Virtualization Technology Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the offering of computing resources as a service or utility through virtualization and dynamic provisioning?

Customizable Shared Resource Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a cloud service that allows users to access their desktop virtually from anywhere?

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the combination of virtualization, dynamic provisioning, and resource sharing in cloud computing?

Resource Sharing and Consolidation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an enabling technology of cloud computing?

Mainframe Computing Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the ability to offer everything as a service?

XaaS (Everything as a Service) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a multi-tenant-efficient instance in a SaaS architecture?

Efficient use of server resources without apparent differences to end users Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a SaaS and a PaaS model?

SaaS provides a ready-to-use application, while PaaS provides a platform for custom software development Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of a scalable SaaS architecture?

It allows for more tenants to be added without affecting performance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of an IaaS model?

Delivery of computer infrastructure as a service Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a configurable SaaS instance and a non-configurable SaaS instance?

A configurable instance allows for easier customization, while a non-configurable instance does not Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of a SaaS model for customers?

It provides them with a ready-to-use application on demand Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cloud Computing Overview

Cloud computing allows deployment of applications without the burden of managing underlying hardware and software.
Main models of cloud services include Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides computer infrastructure as fully outsourced services.
It typically includes servers, data center space, software, and network equipment.
Virtualization technology is critical, enabling resource pool sharing (e.g., web servers, storage).
Allows higher utilization rates of hardware through resource consolidation.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS delivers an integrated computing platform for building, testing, and deploying custom applications.
It provides a solution stack as a service, easing the development process.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS began gaining traction around 1999, offering applications licensed to customers on an on-demand basis.
Applications are hosted on vendor servers with access via a web browser.
Software is downloaded to a consumer's device and becomes disabled after the contract ends.
Key characteristics include configurability, multi-tenant efficiency, and scalability.

Evolution of Cloud Services

The service model has expanded beyond IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS to include Everything as a Service (XaaS), such as:
- Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
- Communication as a Service (CaaS)
- Virtualization as a Service (VaaS)
- Hardware as a Service (HaaS)

Enabling Technologies

Several technologies underpin cloud computing, such as:
- Virtualization
- Web 2.0
- Distributed storage and computing
- Utility computing
- Network bandwidth and latency management
- Fault-tolerant systems

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Resource sharing and consolidation through virtualization and dynamic provisioning.
Ability to customize resources for different user needs within heterogeneous environments.
Supports various workloads, including data-intensive processing and high-volume transactions.