Cloud Computing Flashcards
Define Cloud Computing
Defined by IBM simply as
“The delivery of on-demand computing resources—everything from applications to data centers — over the internet on a pay-for-use basis”
Why is Cloud Computing good?
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations operate and manage their IT infrastructure. Instead of investing in and maintaining their own servers and software, businesses can rely on cloud service providers to handle their computing needs. This allows them to focus on their core activities while benefiting from the flexibility and scalability offered by cloud solutions.
The cost-effectiveness and flexibility of cloud computing make it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their IT operations. The pay-per-use model allows businesses to scale their resources up or down as needed, without the need for upfront investments in hardware or software.
Secondly, the global reach and accessibility of cloud services enable businesses to expand their operations and serve customers worldwide. Cloud computing provides the infrastructure to deliver services and applications seamlessly across different regions, supporting global connectivity and collaboration.
Lastly, the ongoing advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are further driving the demand for cloud computing. These technologies require significant computational power and data processing capabilities, which can be efficiently handled by cloud platforms.
Explain the 3 layers of the Cloud
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model where software applications are delivered over the internet. Instead of installing and managing software locally on their devices, users can access and use the software through a web browser or dedicated applications. One example of SaaS is G Suite, which provides a suite of productivity tools such as email, document editing, and collaboration tools. (SaaS allows you to use software applications directly from the internet without installing them on your device. )
Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without the need to invest in the underlying infrastructure. PaaS providers, like Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure, offer a development environment with pre-configured tools and services, enabling developers to focus on writing and deploying their applications rather than managing the hardware and software infrastructure. PaaS provides a platform for you to build and run your own apps without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that offers virtualized computing resources, including servers, storage, networking, and other infrastructure components. With IaaS, users can access and use these resources remotely, eliminating the need for physical hardware on their premises. It provides flexibility and scalability, allowing users to scale up or down their resources based on their requirements. Examples of IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. ( IaaS gives you access to remote data centers with all the hardware and resources you need without having to own and maintain them yourself.)
5 Cloud Access Types
Private Cloud: A private cloud is designed specifically for one organization. It can be managed either internally by the organization itself or externally by a third-party service provider. Private clouds are typically used by larger organizations that have specific security and control requirements over their data and applications.
Public Cloud: A public cloud offers services that are shared among multiple tenants or organizations. It is provided by cloud service providers like IBM and is particularly useful for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that don’t have the resources to build and maintain their own infrastructure. Public clouds are cost-effective and offer scalability, as resources are shared among multiple users.
Community Cloud: A community cloud is a cloud infrastructure that is shared and managed by organizations that have similar objectives or characteristics. It provides a collaborative platform for multiple organizations to share resources and data while maintaining a level of control and security.
e.g. healthcare industry sharing patient information
Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a combination of private and public clouds. It allows organizations to leverage the benefits of both environments. The private cloud is used for sensitive or critical data and applications that require higher security and control, while the public cloud is utilized for less sensitive data and applications that require scalability and cost-efficiency. The hybrid cloud offers flexibility in choosing the appropriate cloud environment for different workloads.
Shadow Cloud: Shadow cloud refers to the unauthorized use of cloud applications or services by employees within an organization without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. This can occur when employees use cloud applications for work-related tasks without going through the proper IT channels. Shadow cloud usage can pose security risks and challenges in managing and securing data.
e.g. dropbox or google drive
Benefits of Cloud Computing
Marston et al. (2011) identified several benefits of cloud computing, including:
Cost Savings: Cloud computing offers potential cost savings as organizations can avoid the upfront investment in hardware, software licenses, and infrastructure. Instead, they can pay for cloud services on a pay-as-you-go basis, which allows for better cost control and scalability.
Reduced Complexity: Cloud computing simplifies IT management by offloading tasks such as hardware maintenance, software updates, and security to the cloud service provider. This reduces the complexity and burden on the organization’s IT staff, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Increased Speed: Cloud computing enables faster deployment of applications and services. With cloud infrastructure readily available, organizations can provision and scale resources quickly to meet changing business demands. This agility allows for faster innovation, testing, and deployment of new ideas and services.
Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud computing provides scalability, allowing organizations to easily scale up or down their resources based on demand. This flexibility ensures that businesses can meet peak loads without over-provisioning resources during slower periods, resulting in optimized resource utilization.
Improved Collaboration and Accessibility: Cloud-based applications and data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote work and facilitating collaboration among geographically dispersed teams. This accessibility promotes productivity and seamless sharing of information.
Problems with Cloud Computing
Complexity for large firms: Large firms with complex IT systems may face challenges when transitioning to the cloud. Their existing infrastructure may have grown incrementally over time, resulting in a complex and interconnected environment. This complexity can make the migration process more challenging. Additionally, some organizations may fear a loss of control when moving their systems and data to the cloud.
Security: Cloud environments are attractive targets for cyberattacks due to the volume and value of data stored in the cloud. Security breaches can lead to legal actions, financial penalties, and damage to the organization’s reputation. Ensuring data security and compliance with regulations is a crucial consideration when adopting cloud services.
Reliability: While cloud service providers often guarantee high uptime percentages, there is still the possibility of service outages or disruptions. Organizations need to understand the potential impact of such incidents on their operations and have contingency plans in place to mitigate the risks.
While cloud service providers like AWS commit to high uptime percentages, such as 99.95%, it’s important to understand what this means in practice. A 99.95% uptime commitment translates to a maximum allowed downtime of approximately 4.38 hours per year. While this uptime percentage may seem impressive, any downtime can still have significant implications for businesses, especially those that heavily rely on the cloud for their operations.
Legal and Compliance Issues: Cloud computing involves storing and processing data in potentially different jurisdictions. Organizations need to be aware of the legal and regulatory requirements regarding data protection and privacy in each jurisdiction. It is essential to ensure that the cloud service provider complies with these requirements and has adequate safeguards in place to protect the data.
Vendor Lock-In: Cloud computing is dominated by a few major players like Microsoft, Google, and AWS. Organizations need to consider the potential challenges associated with vendor lock-in, where switching to a different provider or bringing services back in-house can be difficult and costly. It is crucial to carefully evaluate the terms and conditions of the cloud service provider and consider strategies to mitigate the risks of vendor lock-in.
