AZ-900 1.2: Describing Cloud Computing (Study Guide) Flashcards
What are some common misconceptions about cloud computing?
Some misconceptions include the idea that the cloud is a single entity maintained by one vendor or that it is simply renting someone else’s computer with no additional benefits. In reality, it is a decentralized form of computing across many providers and it offers many advantages beyond simply renting hardware.
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According to Microsoft’s definition, what is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is defined as the delivery of computing services, such as servers, storage, and databases, over the internet, offering faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. This also includes the benefit of paying only for the services you use.
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What are the three main components of cloud computing delivery?
The three main components are delivery over the internet, the availability of computing services such as servers or databases, and that these services are available on demand, enabling users to access resources when needed without upfront infrastructure investments.
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What does the “shared responsibility model” define?
The shared responsibility model defines the division of duties between the cloud service provider and the customer. It outlines who is responsible for various aspects of security and management, with the provider handling physical security and the customer managing data and user access.
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What are the three main cloud models?
The three main cloud models are private, public, and hybrid. Each model has different trade-offs regarding privacy, control, flexibility, and cost.
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Describe the main differences between private and public clouds.
Private clouds are used by a single organization, offering better security and privacy but with high upfront costs and more management overhead. Public clouds are built and maintained by third-party vendors, providing flexibility and scalability without upfront investment, but with less control.
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What are the two main types of expense models for IT infrastructure?
The two main types of expense models are capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx). These models differ in terms of upfront investments and ongoing costs.
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What are the key differences between CapEx and OpEx?
CapEx involves large, upfront investments in physical infrastructure where you must forecast your needs over a period of years, while OpEx involves ongoing costs with no upfront investment and paying for only the resources you use.
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What are the three core cloud service types?
The three core cloud service types are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each has varying levels of flexibility and responsibility for customers and vendors.
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Briefly describe the seven layers of “defense in depth.”
The seven layers of defense in depth are physical security, identity and access, perimeter, network, compute, application, and data. Each layer provides a unique set of security measures to prevent data theft, ultimately protecting data from unauthorized access by layering defenses.
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Why is the shared responsibility model important in cloud computing?
The shared responsibility model is important because it clarifies the roles and responsibilities between the cloud provider and the customer, ensuring smooth operation, reducing risks, and avoiding security gaps.
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What are the responsibilities that a cloud provider always handles, regardless of the cloud service type?
Cloud providers are always responsible for physical security, including physical hosts, physical networks, and the physical data center facility.
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What are the responsibilities that a customer always handles, regardless of the cloud service type?
Customers are always responsible for managing access to their data, the devices accessing the cloud services, and the user accounts and identities.
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Name three responsibilities that may vary depending on the specific cloud service type.
Responsibilities that may vary depending on the cloud service type include managing identity and directory infrastructure, applications, network controls, and operating system management.
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What does SaaS stand for, and what is a key characteristic of this cloud service type regarding responsibility?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service, and it is characterized by the cloud vendor handling most of the responsibilities, thus offloading most duties from the customer.
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What does IaaS stand for, and how does it differ from SaaS in terms of the shared responsibility model?
IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service, and unlike SaaS, it shifts more responsibility to the customer, giving them more control over the infrastructure while requiring them to manage more components.
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According to the model, who is responsible for managing the physical data center in an on-premises setup?
In an on-premises setup, the customer is 100% responsible for managing the physical data center, including the physical hosts and network.
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How does the shared responsibility model impact data privacy in the cloud?
The shared responsibility model ensures data privacy by making sure that only the customer has access to data stored in the cloud.
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How does understanding the shared responsibility model help a customer choose a cloud service?
Understanding the model helps customers choose the appropriate service for their needs, balancing how much responsibility they wish to retain versus what they want the vendor to manage.
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Why is the shared responsibility model considered a foundational cloud concept?
It is a foundational concept because it is essential for understanding cloud service models, determining appropriate services, and preventing security gaps and is referred to often when discussing cloud computing services.
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What is the primary defining characteristic of a private cloud?
A private cloud is exclusively used by a single organization, effectively a cloud “for one.”
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Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using a private cloud.
An advantage of a private cloud is enhanced security and privacy due to sole access, while a disadvantage is the higher upfront cost and greater management overhead.
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Name three well-known public cloud providers.
Three well-known public cloud providers are Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform.
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What is the key difference in resource management between public and private cloud models?
In a public cloud, the provider manages the hardware, while in a private cloud, the organization is usually responsible for all the physical resources and their management.
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What are the primary advantages of a public cloud for an organization?
The primary advantages of a public cloud are no upfront investment needed and greater flexibility due to a wide variety of managed services.
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What is the primary security concern when using a public cloud environment?
A key security concern in a public cloud is shared tenancy with other users on the same physical resources, meaning there is less control over the physical environment.
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Explain the basic concept of a hybrid cloud model.
A hybrid cloud combines a private cloud with a public cloud, enabling organizations to leverage both environments simultaneously.
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What type of connectivity is often used in a hybrid cloud environment?
Private connectivity options like VPN or dedicated carrier lines (e.g. Azure ExpressRoute) are commonly used in hybrid cloud environments.
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What is a key advantage of hybrid clouds?
A key advantage of hybrid clouds is the ability to choose the most appropriate environment for different workloads, maximizing flexibility and control.
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What is the main complexity associated with maintaining a hybrid cloud?
A main complexity of a hybrid cloud is that it requires the ability to manage the often different environments of both public and private infrastructure.
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What are the two primary expense strategies discussed when comparing IT infrastructure models like on-premises versus cloud computing?
The two primary expense strategies discussed are capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx).
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Define capital expenditure (CapEx) in the context of technology investments.
CapEx in technology refers to the large, upfront costs a company incurs when investing in physical IT infrastructure like servers and data centers.
1.2.4
How does a company typically benefit from a CapEx approach?
A company can often take a large tax deduction for the large upfront investment, which makes it financially advantageous.
1.2.4
What are the main challenges or risks associated with CapEx, particularly when buying servers or equipment?
Challenges include the need to forecast long-term needs for equipment, risk of under buying capacity, and the potential for additional large upfront costs if more capacity is needed later.
1.2.4
What is operational expenditure (OpEx) and how does it differ from CapEx in terms of payment structure?
Operational expenditure (OpEx) is the ongoing cost of running a business or system on a day-to-day basis, involving little or no upfront investment; it is characterized by paying for a service as you go, like rent.
1.2.4
Explain the ‘pay-as-you-go’ model in the context of OpEx.
The “pay-as-you-go” model means that an organization only pays for the services they use at the moment they need them, instead of investing in infrastructure upfront.
1.2.4
How does the OpEx approach reduce the need for long-term forecasting in IT investments?
With OpEx, there is no need to forecast long-term needs because you only purchase resources as you need them. This avoids being locked into technology purchases that may be inadequate or excessive in the future.
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What is the relationship between cloud computing and operational expenditures (OpEx)?
The cloud model directly relates to OpEx, as it’s a consumption-based model, where one only pays for the resources they use, aligning with the characteristics of operational expenditure.
1.2.4
Explain the concept of “consumption-based model” as it relates to cloud computing and OpEx.
The consumption-based model means that you are only paying based on your immediate usage, which directly relates to OpEx, and if you need additional resources, you can increase them instantly.
1.2.4
Summarize the key differences between CapEx and OpEx in the context of cloud computing adoption.
CapEx is a large, upfront investment with a need to forecast value over several years, while OpEx, or cloud computing, is a consumption-based, pay-as-you-go model where you only pay for what you use.
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