Module 7: Cloud Fundamentals Flashcards
What is the cloud?
The cloud is a generic term that represents the internet from a primarily networking perspective.
Why is the cloud represented as a cloud in network diagrams?
It’s represented by a cloud icon to signify the vast and complex infrastructure that users don’t need to see or interact with directly.
How does NIST define cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
When was the idea of interconnectedness first introduced?
The concept of global interconnectivity was initially proposed in the 1960s and became achievable with the emergence of virtualization technologies in the 1970s through the development of the ARPANET project.
Why did Amazon create a shared layer of infrastructure services?
Amazon created a shared layer of infrastructure services to address the complexity of its technology infrastructure as it expanded, allowing different teams to rely on common resources without spending time on general capabilities like storage and computing.
What game-changing services did AWS introduce in 2006?
In 2006, AWS introduced Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (S3), allowing developers to run virtual servers on-demand and providing scalable storage solutions.
How does cloud computing offer scalability?
Cloud computing offers scalability by allowing resources such as storage, processing power, and applications to be dynamically allocated or reduced based on demand. This is achieved through virtualization, enabling businesses to scale up or down instantly without the need for physical hardware changes.
What are the benefits of cloud computing related to accessibility?
Access data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and global collaboration.
What are the benefits of cloud computing related to Backup & Recovery?
Most cloud service providers offer automated backup and disaster recovery solutions.
What are potential drawbacks of cloud computing?
Potential drawbacks include hidden costs, limited control, internet dependency, exposure to attacks, information security, and platform vulnerabilities.
How can you differentiate between cloud deployment models?
Cloud deployment models differ in how resources are deployed (e.g., private or public) and the level of control and management provided to users.
What are the two most common cloud deployment models?
The two most common deployment models are Private Cloud and Public Cloud.
What is a Private Cloud?
A Private Cloud is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization, which may own, manage, and operate it, and it may exist on or off premises.
What is a Public Cloud?
A Public Cloud is provisioned for open use by the general public and may be owned, managed, and operated by a business, academy, or government organization.
Name & describe three common cloud service providers (CSPs).
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): A subsidiary of Amazon that provides cloud services and pioneered cloud migration.
- Microsoft Azure: Microsoft’s cloud platform that includes the ability to migrate Active Directories and domains to the cloud.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP): The newest but least used cloud platform that features built-in integration with Google services.
Explain the difference between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and FaaS.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) involves creating virtual operating systems;
PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides a complete work environment;
SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers access to hosted software;
FaaS (Function as a Service) executes code blocks and is a subset of PaaS.
What are some examples of IaaS options for computing?
Examples of IaaS for computing include Amazon EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, and Google Compute Engine.
What are some examples of IaaS options for storage?
Examples of IaaS for storage include Amazon S3 (object storage), Amazon EBS (block storage), Azure Blob Storage.
Describe the types of services covered under PaaS.
PaaS includes application hosting, databases, and analytics.
Examples: Google App Engine, Amazon RDS, and Amazon EMR.
Describe PaaS and give examples in regards to application hosting.
Platforms under this service allow developers to seamlessly deploy and manage applications. They minimize underlying infrastructure complexities, letting developers focus on coding and application optimization while the platform handles infrastructure-related tasks.
Examples: Google App Engine, Azure App Services, Heroku
Describe PaaS and give examples in regards to databases.
These are fully managed database services covering traditional relational databases and modern NoSQL databases. The cloud provider handles tasks like backup, patching, and scaling, allowing users to focus on their application’s data needs without deep database management expertise.
Examples: Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, Google Cloud SQL
Describe PaaS and give examples in regards to analytics.
These platforms specialize in handling large amounts of data by providing tools and frameworks for processing, analyzing, and visualizing data. They eliminate the need to set up complicated data infrastructures, allowing users to quickly identify patterns, gain insights, and make informed decisions based on data.
Examples: Amazon EMR, Google BigQuery, Azure HDInsight
What is SaaS?
SaaS refers to the delivery of complete software applications over the internet, allowing users to access software directly from a web browser, typically through a subscription model.
