IT2314 Cloud Computing Basics

Cloud Computing Basics

• Cloud computing addresses the increasing demand for computing, storage, and networking resources in the ICT industry.
• It facilitates on-demand resources, driving innovation and business agility.

Background of Cloud Computing

• The mobile Internet era has expanded the use of terminal devices and led to a surge in data creation.
• Transitioned from the PC era (networked PCs) to the mobile era (internet-accessible smartphones) and now to the Internet of Everything (IoE).
• In the IoE, all devices—computers, mobiles, and intelligent terminals—are interconnected, fueling a competitive ecosystem.

Evolution of Technology Eras

• PC Era: Dominated by Windows, Intel chips, and x86 architecture with many applications.
• Mobile Era: Led by iOS and Android systems using ARM architecture, reflecting increased device and market scale.
• Future leadership in technology is likely to belong to those mastering core chips and operating systems.

Challenges of Conventional IT Architecture

• The rapid growth of online traffic and data drives enterprises to frequently invest in traditional IT infrastructure.
• Long procurement times hinder the fast deployment of new systems.
• Centralized architectures struggle with scalability; reliant only on improved single-node performance.
• Issues include low device utilization, high costs, and management challenges due to device heterogeneity.
• Reliability depends solely on software, limiting operational effectiveness.

Migration to Cloud Architecture

• Traditional IT architecture encompasses hardware and software, necessitating extensive power, space, and capital.
• Virtualization technology allows efficient operation of components in a virtual environment, improving hardware utilization.
• Cloud transformation shifts data centers to a resource pooling model, implementing distributed architectures and software-defined storage (SDS).
• It enhances service efficiency through self-service and automation, moving from manual operations to unified metrics.

Definition of Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing provides ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand access to configurable computing resources with minimal management or vendor interaction, as defined by the NIST.
• It represents a network metaphor that abstracts the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and delivers a variety of computing services, from processing to storage, on demand.

This quiz explores the fundamental principles of cloud computing and its significance in the ICT industry. As enterprises demand more from their computing resources, understanding cloud solutions becomes crucial for business innovation. Test your knowledge on the background and challenges of cloud computing in the modern connected era.