Cloud Computing

Question 1

IaaS

Answer 1

Infrastructure as a Service - involves outsourcing hardware needs to a cloud provider so that customers can then build their own platform on this hardware.

Question 2

PaaS

Answer 2

Platform as a Service - where the cloud provider manages both infrastructure and the software platform, which includes the OS and middleware.

Question 3

Infrastructure Layer (Cloud Computing)

Answer 3

The lowest layer of cloud computing, which involves physical servers, storage, and networking hardware.

Question 4

Platform Layer (Cloud Computing)

Answer 4

The central layer of cloud computing, which involves interface between infrastructure and applications. It includes the OS and middleware.

Question 5

Application Layer (Cloud Computing)

Answer 5

The highest layer of cloud computing, which includes data and applications.

Question 6

Hybrid Cloud

Answer 6

A composition of two or more types of cloud often used by large businesses. It is easier to scale when needed and can use multiple locations.

Question 7

Community Cloud

Answer 7

A cloud infrastructure used by a set of consumers from different companies with shared needs.

Question 8

Private Cloud

Answer 8

A cloud infrastructure used by a single corporation on a smaller scale.

Question 9

Public Cloud

Answer 9

A common type of cloud infrastructure owned by an organisation and accessed by many users.

Question 10

Data Centre

Answer 10

A building which houses a large quantity or servers for use in cloud computing.

Question 11

Cloud

Answer 11

A set of networked storage and computing devices which can be accessed over the internet.

Question 12

SaaS

Answer 12

Software as a Service - any application hosted by a remote server accessed over the internet.

Question 13

Downtime (Cloud Computing)

Answer 13

Time during which cloud services are not available usually due to technical issues or internet connection.

Question 14

Uptime (Cloud Computing)

Answer 14

Time during which cloud services are available.

Question 15

CSA

Answer 15

Cloud Service Agreement - an agreement between a cloud user and cloud provider over how data is responsibly governed. It often consists of a customer agreement, AUP, and SLA.

Question 16

AUP (Cloud Computing)

Answer 16

Acceptable Use Policy - a set of rules as to what actions are considered acceptable on a cloud.

Question 17

SLA (Cloud Computing)

Answer 17

Service Level Agreement - a description of what a cloud user can expect to be provided with, how data is kept secure, and how a user will be recompensated if demands are not met.

Question 18

Continuous Delivery

Answer 18

A way of maintaining a cloud network which involves updating a live application after testing constantly. The term DevOps is often used to encompass this type of management.

Question 19

Microkernel

Answer 19

The part of a servers OS which manages low-level processors such as memory management.

Question 20

CaaS

Answer 20

Containers as a Service - the process of dividing an operating system into containers where applications can be run over the cloud.

Question 21

Fog Computing

Answer 21

The process of unloading data from a cloud on to a network in a server closer to customers so that it can be more easily accessed.

Question 22

Green Computing

Answer 22

The act of using computers in an environmentally-friendly way.

Question 23

PUE

Answer 23

Power Usage Effectiveness - the ratio of the total amount of energy used by a data centre facility to the energy delivered to computing equipment. An ideal value would be 1, meaning all energy is being used to power IT equipment.

Question 24

WUE

Answer 24

Water Usage Effectiveness - the ratio of the annual water consumption (in litres) to the energy delivered to computing equipment (in kWh). A higher value indicates more water is needed in cooling.

Question 25

Elasticity (Cloud Computing)

Answer 25

The scaling of services and infrastructure depending on demand.