Cloud Computing

Question 1

What is virtualization?

Answer 1

The process of creating a virtual version of hardware platforms, storage devices, or network resources. It manages the execution of virtual machines, including resource allocation and isolation.

Question 2

Types of Virtualization

Answer 2

Server Virtualization: Runs multiple virtual machines on a single physical server.
Desktop Virtualization: Enables virtual desktops accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Application Virtualization: Packages applications for cross-device execution without installation.
Storage Virtualization: Pools multiple storage devices into a single logical storage device, enhancing utilization.
Network Virtualization: Creates isolated virtual networks, improving security and flexibility.

Question 3

Benefits of Virtualization

Answer 3

Reduced Costs: Consolidates servers, reducing hardware and software expenses.
Increased Agility: Facilitates easier deployment, provision, and management of servers and applications.
Improved Performance: Optimizes resource utilization, isolating workloads for optimal performance.
Increased Availability: Provides redundancy and fault tolerance, minimizing downtime.
Simplified Management: Centralized console for managing virtual machines, reducing IT workload.

Question 4

Vertical vs Horizontal Scaling

Answer 4

Vertical Scaling: Increasing the capacity of a single machine for better performance.
Horizontal Scaling: Adding more machines to a network for improved performance, often associated with cloud computing.

Question 5

What is Cloud Computing?

Answer 5

Cloud computing is a model enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. These resources, such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and services, can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction (NIST).

Question 6

Service Models in Cloud Computing

Answer 6

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications.
Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis.

Question 7

Data-Centric Security Approaches

Answer 7

Data Encryption: Converts data into an unreadable format, ensuring secure storage and transmission.
Data Access Control (DAC): Restricts access to data based on roles or attributes.
Data Auditing and Monitoring: Tracks data access and usage for identifying and responding to suspicious activity.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data leakage through monitoring, access blocking, and encryption.

Question 8

Shared Responsibility Model Overview

Answer 8

Security of the Cloud: Responsibility of the Cloud Service Provider (CSP).
Security in the Cloud: Shared responsibility between CSP and customer.
Data Encryption, Access Control, Auditing, and Monitoring: Joint responsibility of CSP and customer.
Data Loss Prevention: Customer’s responsibility.

Question 9

Factors Affecting Security in Cloud Computing

Answer 9

Access controls and identity management.
Regulatory compliance and standards (e.g., GDPR).
Ongoing monitoring (e.g., SAMM).

Question 10

Load Balancing

Answer 10

Load balancing optimizes resource use, avoids overload, and ensures no single server bears too much demand.