Describe cloud computing

Question 1

Cloud Computing

Answer 1

Is a technology that allows users to access and use computing resources (such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more) over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Question 2

Shared Responsibility Model

Answer 2

The shared responsibility model is a crucial concept in cloud computing that outlines the distribution of security and compliance responsibilities between cloud service providers (CSPs) and their customers. The specific details of this model can vary depending on the CSP and the type of cloud service.

CSP Responsibility:
-Physical Infrastructure
-Virtualization Infrastructure
-Networking
-Storage

Customer Responsibility:
-Data and Applications
-Identity and Access Management
-Compliance
-Data Encryption

Question 3

Public Cloud

Answer 3

Key Characteristics:
-Everything runs on cloud provider hardware
-No local hardware
-Some services share hardware with other customers

Advantages:
-No CapEx (No initial investment)
-High Availability
-Agility
-Pay as you go pricing
-No hardware maintenance
-No deep technical skills required

Disadvantages:
-Not all security and compliance policies can be met
-No ownership over the physical infrastructure
-Rare specific scenarios can’t be done

Question 4

Private Cloud

Answer 4

Key Characteristics:
-Everything runs on your own datacenter
-Self-service should be provided
-You maintain the hardware

Advantages:
-Can support any scenario
-Total control over security and infrastructure
-Can meet any security and compliance policy

Disadvantages:
-Initial investment is required (CapEx)
-Limited agility constrained by server capacity and team skills
-Very dependent on IT skills & expertise

Question 5

Hybrid Cloud

Answer 5

Key Characteristics:
-Combines both Public & Private cloud

Advantages:
-Great flexibility
-You can run any legacy apps in private cloud
-Can utilize existing infrastructure
-Meet any security & compliance requirements
-Can take advantage of all public cloud benefits

Disadvantages:
-Can be more expensive
-Complicated to manage due to larger landscape
-Most dependent on IT skills & expertise from all three models

Question 6

Consumption-based model

Answer 6

The consumption-based model is a pricing model used in the cloud so that customers are only charged based on their resource usage.

This model is characterized by:

-No associated upfront cost
-No wasted resources as such no charges are incurred for unused resources
-Pay for what you need / Stop paying when you don’t

Question 7

CapEx vs OpEx

Answer 7

Capital Expenditure

Up front cost = Significant
Ongoing cost = Low
Tax Deduction = Over time
Early Termination = No
Maintenance = Significant
Value over time = Lowers

Operational Expenditure

Up front cost = None
Ongoing cost = Low
Tax Deduction = Over time
Early Termination = No
Maintenance = Significant
Value over time = Lowers