INF1002F

Cloud Computing
Richard Maliwatu [email protected]
Initially prepared by Pitso Tsibolane ~ [email protected]
Objectives
By the end of this session, students should be able to explain the following:
▪ What is Cloud Computing?
▪ Characteristics of Cloud Computing
▪ Cloud Computing service models
▪ Cloud Computing deployment models
▪ Benefits & challenges associated with Cloud Computing

2
What is Cloud Computing?
• Cloud computing is a computing
paradigm where computing
functionality is provided by a pool of
virtualised resources over a network.
• Example computing resources:
- networks
- processing
- storage
- applications
- …. and other services.

3
Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Shared Resources

Scalability/Flexibility

Network/Internet Pay-per-use
Access

4
 Cloud Computing Service Models
Cloud providers offer services that can be grouped into three generic
categories

5
Cloud Computing Service Models (cont'd)
▪ SaaS (Software as a service)
o Software and Applications that run on cloud infrastructure e.g., Office 365, Pastel
cloud, Google docs.
▪ Paas (Platform as a service)
o Consumer-created or acquired cloud applications created using
programming languages, libraries, services, and tools deployed on cloud infrastructure

▪ Iaas (Infrastructure as a service)

o Online services that provide high-level APIs used to abstract various low-level details
of underlying network infrastructure like physical computing resources, location, data
partitioning, scaling, security, backup, etc. – e.g. Amazon cloud

6
 Cloud Computing Service Models (cont'd)
Description Example Target
customer
SaaS Business applications are hosted by the provider and offered to the Google docs, End users
(software customer as a service. A single instance of the service runs on the acrobat.com,
as a cloud & multiple end users are service. salesforce.com
service)

PaaS A software layer or development environment is encapsulated & Azure service Developers
(platform offered as a service, upon which other higher levels of service can platform, force.com,
as a be built. The customer has the freedom to build his own Google App Engine
service) applications, which run on the provider’s infrastructure. PaaS can be
viewed as an evolution of Web hosting.

IaaS Basic storage and computing capabilities are delivered as Amazon web operators/IT
(infrastruct standardized services over the network. May include delivery or services, GoGrid, 3 operators
ure as a operating systems. IaaS allows customers to rent computing Tera
service) resources instead of buying and installing in their own centers.

7
 Cloud Computing Service Models (cont'd)

8
Source: https://dachou.github.io/2018/09/28/cloud-service-models.html
Cloud Computing Service Models illustration

9
Cloud Computing Deployment Models

10
Cloud Computing Deployment Models (cont'd)
▪ Public cloud
o The type of cloud infrastructure is available to the public on a commercial basis,
provided by the cloud storage provider;
o Requires relatively little financial outlay.

▪ Private cloud
o A private cloud is deployed and maintained for a specific organization or company by
the service provider.
o The operations could be in house or with a third party on the premises.

11
Cloud Computing Deployment Models (cont'd)
▪ Community cloud
o This type of cloud infrastructure is shared among different organisations and
companies that have similar requirements and interests;
o The cost is shared among the participant organisations; and the operation could be
with a third-party or in-house.

▪ Hybrid
o Consists of several clouds of different types and provides the ability to transfer data
from one cloud to another through its interface abilities;
o Depending on the needs and requirements of the organization, the combination could
be of private and public clouds.

12
Benefits & Challenges of Cloud Computing
Benefits

▪ Cost Saving - Capital vs operational expenditure; maintenance of infrastructure

▪ Flexibility/Scalability - Dynamic provisioning, allows for provision of services
based on demand
▪ Reliability - Disaster recovery; Redundancy for business continuity
▪ Easy maintenance - Service providers are responsible
▪ Accessibility - Remote access; continuous access

13
Benefits & Challenges of Cloud Computing
Challenges
▪ Privacy & Security –provider and user are responsible
▪ Lack of Standards - no acceptable cloud computing standards and practices
▪ Reliance on Third Parties -Exposes the organisation to risk (Business
acquisitions or closure)
▪ Compliance -Data centres in various countries; Data privacy policies – Protection
of Personal Information (POPI) Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

14
Cloud service providers/vendors
▪ Amazon Web Services [AWS]
(biggest provider)
▪ Google - Email access, Google
Docs/sheets
▪ Microsoft -Microsoft office, Azure
▪ Salesforce -Salesforce application in
the cloud

15
Recap
▪ What is Cloud Computing?
▪ Characteristics of Cloud Computing
▪ Cloud Computing service models
▪ Cloud Computing deployment models
▪ Benefits & challenges associated with Cloud Computing

16
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