II UNIT

Cloud Computing Fundamentals

1. What is the motivation for Cloud Computing and need of Cloud

Computing?
Cloud computing offers numerous benefits and motivations for both
individuals and businesses. Some of the key motivations include:
 Cost Efficiency: Cloud computing allows businesses to reduce their
capital expenditure on IT infrastructure. Instead of investing in expensive
hardware and software, businesses can utilize cloud services on a pay-as-
you-go basis, often resulting in cost savings.
 Scalability: Cloud computing offers scalability, allowing businesses to
easily scale up or down their computing resources based on demand. This
flexibility enables businesses to handle fluctuations in workload without
investing in additional infrastructure.
 Accessibility: Cloud computing provides remote access to computing
resources and applications over the internet, enabling users to access data
and applications from anywhere with an internet connection. This
accessibility fosters collaboration and allows for remote work, which has
become increasingly important in today's digital age.
 Reliability and Redundancy: Cloud service providers typically offer high
levels of reliability and redundancy by hosting data and applications
across multiple data centers. This redundancy helps ensure that services
remain available even in the event of hardware failures or other
disruptions.
 Improved Performance: Cloud computing providers often leverage
advanced technologies and infrastructure to deliver high-performance
computing resources. This can result in improved performance for
applications and services hosted in the cloud.
 Security: While security concerns exist with cloud computing, many cloud
providers invest heavily in security measures to protect data and
applications. This includes encryption, access controls, and compliance
certifications, which can enhance the overall security posture compared to
on-premises solutions. Cloud computing offers robust security features
and compliance certifications that meet the stringent requirements of the
software industry. Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures
such as encryption, access controls, and threat detection, helping software
companies safeguard sensitive data and comply with regulatory
standards.
 Flexibility and Agility: Cloud computing enables businesses to rapidly
deploy and scale applications and services, allowing them to respond
quickly to changing market conditions and customer demands. This agility
can provide a competitive advantage in today's fast-paced business
environment.
  Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Cloud computing provides
built-in disaster recovery and backup solutions, helping software
companies mitigate the risk of data loss and downtime. By replicating data
across multiple geographically dispersed data centers, cloud environments
ensure business continuity and minimize disruptions in the event of
disasters or outages.
 Collaboration and Integration: Cloud computing fosters collaboration
and integration among software development teams, allowing
geographically dispersed teams to work together seamlessly. Cloud-based
development tools and platforms enable real-time collaboration, version
control, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD),
enhancing productivity and efficiency.
 Faster Time-to-Market: Cloud computing facilitates rapid development
and deployment cycles, enabling software companies to bring new
products and updates to market more quickly. The cloud's flexibility and
agility allow for streamlined development processes and faster iterations,
giving software companies a competitive edge in the market.
 Rapid Deployment and Innovation: Cloud computing accelerates the
development and deployment of applications and services, enabling
organizations to bring new products to market faster. Cloud-based
development tools, platforms, and services streamline the development
process, reduce time-to-market, and foster innovation by providing access
to cutting-edge technologies and resources.

2. Need for cloud computing

 The need for cloud computing has developed from various challenges and
demands faced by businesses, organizations, and individuals in managing
and utilizing technology effectively.
 The need for cloud computing arises from its ability to address various
challenges related to cost management, scalability, flexibility, reliability,
security, innovation, data management, and disaster recovery and secure
infrastructure and services that support the evolving needs of modern
businesses and technology ecosystems.
3. NIST Definition of Cloud Computing
 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a
widely accepted definition of cloud computing. According to NIST Special
Publication 800-145, "The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing," cloud
computing is defined as:
 "Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous(anywhere access),
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable
computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and
services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal
management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model is
composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four
deployment models."
4. Cloud computing is a service
 "Cloud computing is a service" refers to the concept of delivering
computing resources and capabilities over the internet to users on-
demand. Instead of owning and maintaining physical hardware and
software infrastructure, users can access computing resources and
services from cloud service providers, paying only for what they use.
 "Cloud computing is a service" represents a paradigm shift in how
computing resources and capabilities are delivered and consumed, offering
users greater flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of
management compared to traditional on-premises IT infrastructure.
 On-Demand Access: Users can access cloud computing resources and
services whenever they need them, without the need for prior setup or
provisioning. This on-demand access allows users to quickly scale up or
down based on their requirements, enabling greater flexibility and agility.
 Internet-Based Delivery: Cloud computing services are delivered over the
internet, allowing users to access them from anywhere with an internet
connection. This internet-based delivery model eliminates the need for
physical proximity to data centers or infrastructure, enabling remote
access and collaboration.
 Pay-Per-Use Pricing: Cloud computing services are typically offered on a
pay-per-use or subscription basis, where users only pay for the resources
and services they consume. This pricing model allows users to avoid
upfront capital expenses and align costs with actual usage, resulting in
cost savings and better cost predictability.
 Scalability and Elasticity: Cloud computing offers scalability and
elasticity, allowing users to scale resources up or down dynamically based
on demand. Users can easily add or remove computing resources such as
virtual machines, storage, and networking as needed, ensuring optimal
performance and resource utilization.
 Managed Services: Cloud service providers often offer managed services,
where they take care of tasks such as infrastructure maintenance,
security, updates, and backups on behalf of users. This managed services
approach offloads the burden of IT management from users, allowing them
to focus on their core business activities.
 Service Models: Cloud computing encompasses various service models,
including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS),
and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each service model offers different levels
of abstraction and management responsibilities, catering to the diverse
needs of users and organizations.

5. Cloud computing is a platform

 "Cloud computing is a platform" refers to the concept of utilizing cloud
infrastructure and services as a comprehensive computing platform for
 building, deploying, and managing applications and services. In this
context, the cloud serves as the foundation upon which developers and
organizations can build and run their software applications, leveraging the
various resources and capabilities offered by cloud service providers.

6. Principles of Cloud computing

The Principles of Cloud Computing defined by NIST, outlines (summaries or
reviews) the five essential characteristics, three service models, and four
deployment models of cloud computing as follows:
A. Five Essential Characteristics:
On-demand self-service: Users can provision computing resources, such as
storage and processing power, as needed without requiring human intervention
from the service provider.
Broad network access: Cloud services are accessible over the network and
can be accessed by various devices with internet connectivity.
Resource pooling: Computing resources are pooled together to serve multiple
users, enabling efficient resource utilization and scalability.
Rapid elasticity: Computing resources can be rapidly scaled up or down
based on demand, allowing users to dynamically adjust their resource usage.
Measured service: Cloud computing resources are monitored, controlled,
and billed based on usage, enabling users to pay for only the resources they
consume.
Five Essential Characteristics of cloud computing in detail
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud
computing with five essential characteristics. Let's delve into each of these
characteristics in detail:
On-Demand Self-Service:
 Cloud computing resources are available for provision on-demand,
without requiring human intervention from the service provider.
 Users can easily and independently deploy computing resources, such
as server instances, storage, and network bandwidth, as needed.
 This characteristic empowers users to rapidly access and utilize cloud
services without the delays associated with manual provisioning
processes.
 On-demand self-service enables scalability and agility, allowing
organizations to respond quickly to changing business requirements
and workload demands.
Broad Network Access:
 Cloud computing resources are accessible over the network through
standard mechanisms, enabling users to access services from a wide
 range of devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, over the
internet or other network connections.
 This characteristic ensures ubiquitous access to cloud services,
regardless of the user's location or the device they are using. Broad
network access facilitates remote collaboration, mobility, and flexibility,
enabling users to leverage cloud resources from anywhere with an
internet connection.
Resource Pooling:
 Cloud computing providers aggregate computing resources, such as
processing power, storage, and memory, to serve multiple users
concurrently from a shared pool of resources.
 These pooled resources are dynamically allocated and reassigned based
on user demand, optimizing resource utilization and efficiency.
 Resource pooling enables economies of scale, allowing cloud providers
to achieve higher levels of resource utilization and cost efficiency
compared to traditional IT models.
 Additionally, it promotes multi-tenancy, where multiple users can
securely coexist on the same physical infrastructure while maintaining
isolation and privacy.
Rapid Elasticity:
 Cloud computing resources can be rapidly scaled up or down to
accommodate fluctuating workload demands. Users can dynamically
adjust resource capacity, such as increasing server instances or storage
capacity, in response to changes in demand, either manually or
automatically through predefined scaling policies.
 Rapid elasticity enables organizations to efficiently handle peak loads,
scale resources on-demand, and optimize costs by only paying for the
resources consumed.
 This characteristic ensures agility and responsiveness, allowing
organizations to adapt quickly to evolving business requirements and
market conditions.
Measured Service:
 Cloud computing resources are monitored, controlled, and metered by
the cloud provider, allowing for transparent and pay-per-use billing
models. Users are charged based on the actual usage of resources, such
as computing power, storage, and network bandwidth, typically
measured on a per-hour or per-month basis.
 Measured service provides visibility into resource consumption, usage
patterns, and costs, enabling users to optimize resource utilization and
control expenses. It also facilitates cost allocation, billing, and
chargeback mechanisms, promoting accountability and cost
transparency within organizations.
  Additionally, measured service enables capacity planning, cost
forecasting, and optimization of cloud spending based on usage trends
and patterns.

B. Three Service Models:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources
over the internet, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking, allowing
users to deploy and manage their applications.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform for developing, deploying,
and managing applications without the complexity of infrastructure
management. PaaS providers typically offer development tools, runtime
environments, and middleware services.
Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet
on a subscription basis, eliminating the need for users to install, maintain, and
manage the software locally. SaaS applications are typically accessed through a
web browser or API.
Three Service Models of cloud computing in detail.

Cloud computing offers three main service models, each catering to different
levels of abstraction and management responsibilities. Let's delve into each one
in detail:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):

 Definition: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model
that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. It
delivers fundamental computing infrastructure, such as virtual machines
(VMs), storage, and networking, as scalable and on-demand services.
 Key Features:
 Virtualization: IaaS utilizes virtualization technology to abstract
physical hardware resources, allowing users to provision and
manage virtualized infrastructure through a web-based interface or
API.
 Scalability: IaaS platforms offer scalable resources, enabling users
to dynamically adjust compute, storage, and networking resources
to match changing demand.
 Self-Service Provisioning: Users have the ability to provision and
manage infrastructure resources on-demand without requiring
manual intervention from the cloud provider.
 Pay-As-You-Go Pricing: IaaS providers typically follow a pay-as-
you-go pricing model, where users are billed based on their actual
resource usage, providing cost flexibility and optimization.
 Use Cases: IaaS is well-suited for organizations that require flexibility
and control over their computing infrastructure, such as:
  Development and testing environments
 Hosting websites and web applications
 High-performance computing (HPC) workloads
 Disaster recovery and backup solutions
 Scalable application hosting and deployment
 Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2, Microsoft Azure Virtual
Machines, Google Compute Engine, IBM Cloud Virtual Servers.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS):
 Definition: Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that
provides a platform allowing customers to develop, deploy, and manage
applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the
underlying infrastructure.
 Key Features:
 Application Development Tools: PaaS offerings include
development tools, middleware, runtime environments, and
database management systems, providing developers with the
necessary tools to build and deploy applications.
 Abstraction of Infrastructure: PaaS abstracts underlying
infrastructure complexities, allowing developers to focus on writing
code and developing applications without worrying about server
management or configuration.
 Automated Deployment and Scaling: PaaS platforms automate
application deployment, scaling, and management tasks, enabling
seamless scalability and reducing administrative overhead.
 Collaboration and Integration: PaaS fosters collaboration among
development teams by providing integrated development
environments (IDEs), version control systems, and collaboration
tools.
 Use Cases: PaaS is ideal for organizations looking to accelerate
application development and deployment processes, including:
 Web application development and deployment
 Mobile application development
 API development and management
 Micro services architecture
 DevOps and continuous integration/continuous deployment
(CI/CD) pipelines
 Examples: Heroku, Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Service,
AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS):
 Definition: Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model that
delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription
(payment) basis.
 SaaS providers host and maintain the software centrally, allowing users
to access applications via web browsers or thin client applications using
smart phones, desktops or laptops.
  Key Features:
 Centralized Software Delivery: SaaS providers centrally host and
deliver software applications to users over the internet, eliminating
the need for local installation and maintenance.
 Subscription-Based Pricing: SaaS applications are typically
offered on a subscription basis, where users pay a recurring fee
based on usage, often on a per-user or per-month basis.
 Automatic Updates and Maintenance: SaaS providers handle
software updates, patches, and maintenance tasks centrally,
ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and
security enhancements.
 Multi-Tenancy Architecture: SaaS applications are designed with
a multi-tenancy architecture, allowing multiple users or
organizations to share a single instance of the application while
maintaining data isolation and security.
 Use Cases: SaaS is suitable for organizations seeking ready-to-use
software solutions without the need for upfront investment in software
licenses or infrastructure, including:
 Customer relationship management (CRM)
 Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
 Human resources management (HRM)
 Collaboration and productivity tools
 Email and communication platforms
 Examples: Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace (formerly
G Suite), Dropbox, Zoom.

Each of these service models offers distinct advantages and caters to different
user requirements and use cases, enabling organizations to leverage cloud
computing resources effectively based on their specific needs and preferences.

C. Four Deployment Models:

 Public cloud: Cloud services are provided over the public internet and
are available to anyone who wants to use them. Public cloud resources
are owned and operated by third-party cloud service providers.
 Private cloud: Cloud services are deployed within a private network
infrastructure and are dedicated exclusively to a single organization.
Private cloud resources can be managed internally or by a third-party
provider.
 Community cloud: Cloud infrastructure is shared by multiple
organizations with similar interests or requirements, such as
government agencies, research institutions, or industry consortia.
 Hybrid cloud: Combines two or more different cloud deployment
models (public, private, or community) that remain distinct entities but
 are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that
enables data and application portability.

Four Deployment Models of cloud computing in detail

Cloud computing offers four main deployment models, each with its own
characteristics, advantages, and use cases. Let's explore each deployment
model in detail:

1. Public Cloud:
 Definition: A public cloud is a type of cloud deployment model where
cloud services are provided and managed by third-party cloud service
providers, who make resources such as computing power, storage, and
applications available to the general public over the internet.
 Key Features:
 Shared Infrastructure: Public clouds use shared infrastructure,
where multiple users and organizations share computing resources
hosted in data centers owned and operated by the cloud provider.
 Cost Efficiency: Public clouds follow a pay-as-you-go pricing
model, allowing users to pay only for the resources they consume
on a usage basis, which can result in cost savings compared to
traditional on-premises infrastructure.
 Scalability and Flexibility: Public clouds offer scalable resources
that can be rapidly provisioned or de-provisioned to meet changing
demand, providing organizations with flexibility and agility in
managing their IT infrastructure.
 Accessibility and Availability: Public clouds provide ubiquitous
access to computing resources over the internet, enabling users to
access applications and data from anywhere with an internet
connection. Public cloud providers typically operate multiple data
centers across different geographic regions to ensure high
availability and redundancy.
 Use Cases: Public clouds are suitable for a wide range of use cases,
including:
 Web hosting and application development
 Software development and testing
 Big data analytics and processing
 Content delivery and media streaming
 Collaboration and productivity tools
 Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud
Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud.
2. Private Cloud:
 Definition: A private cloud is a cloud deployment model that involves
hosting cloud services and infrastructure within a dedicated environment
that is isolated and accessible only to a single organization or entity.
  Key Features:
 Dedicated Infrastructure: Private clouds use dedicated hardware
and infrastructure resources that are exclusively allocated to a
single organization, providing greater control, security, and
customization options compared to public clouds.
 Data Security and Compliance: Private clouds offer enhanced
security and data privacy controls, making them suitable for
organizations with stringent security and compliance
requirements, such as those in regulated industries.
 Customization and Control: Private clouds allow organizations to
customize and tailor cloud infrastructure and services to meet
their specific requirements, including hardware configurations,
network settings, and security policies.
 Predictable Performance: Private clouds provide predictable
performance and availability, as resources are not shared with
other organizations, reducing the risk of performance degradation
or resource contention.
 Use Cases: Private clouds are ideal for organizations that require
maximum control, security, and customization over their cloud
infrastructure, including:
 Government agencies and organizations with strict regulatory
compliance requirements
 Financial services institutions handling sensitive customer data
 Healthcare organizations storing and processing patient health
information (PHI)
 Enterprises with mission-critical applications requiring high
availability and performance guarantees
 Examples: VMware vSphere, Microsoft Azure Stack, OpenStack, Dell
EMC Cloud.
3. Hybrid Cloud:
 Definition: A hybrid cloud is a cloud deployment model that combines
elements of public and private clouds, allowing organizations to integrate
and orchestrate workloads across multiple cloud environments.
 Key Features:
 Interoperability and Portability: Hybrid clouds enable seamless
integration and movement of workloads and data between on-
premises infrastructure, private clouds, and public clouds,
providing organizations with flexibility and scalability.
 Resource Optimization: Hybrid clouds allow organizations to
optimize resource usage by leveraging the scalability and cost-
effectiveness of public clouds for non-sensitive workloads while
retaining sensitive data and critical workloads in private clouds or
on-premises environments.
 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Hybrid clouds
facilitate disaster recovery and business continuity strategies by
 replicating data and applications between on-premises and cloud
environments, ensuring data availability and minimizing downtime
in the event of disruptions.
 Cloud Bursting: Hybrid clouds support cloud bursting, where
organizations can dynamically extend their on-premises
infrastructure to public cloud resources during periods of peak
demand, ensuring optimal performance and scalability without
over-provisioning resources.
 Use Cases: Hybrid clouds are well-suited for organizations that require a
balance of security, control, and scalability, including:
 Enterprises with legacy applications and data requiring
modernization
 Seasonal businesses with fluctuating resource demands
 Organizations undergoing digital transformation initiatives
 Compliance-conscious industries requiring data residency and
sovereignty
 Examples: AWS Outposts, Azure Hybrid Cloud, Google Anthos, VMware
Cloud Foundation.
4. Community Cloud:
 Definition: A community cloud is a cloud deployment model that is
shared by several organizations with similar interests, such as industry-
specific regulations, security requirements, or compliance standards.
 Key Features:
 Shared Infrastructure: Community clouds are shared among
multiple organizations belonging to a specific community or
industry sector, allowing them to pool resources and collaborate
while maintaining data separation and privacy.
 Customization and Governance: Community clouds provide
customization options and governance controls tailored to the
needs of the community members, enabling organizations to
adhere to industry-specific regulations, compliance standards, and
security policies.
 Cost Sharing: Community clouds enable cost sharing among
participating organizations, reducing the financial burden of
building and maintaining dedicated infrastructure while still
providing the benefits of cloud computing, such as scalability and
flexibility.
 Collaboration and Resource Sharing: Community clouds foster
collaboration and resource sharing among community members,
allowing organizations to leverage shared services, applications,
and data repositories for mutual benefit.
 Use Cases: Community clouds are suitable for industries and sectors
that require collaboration, compliance, and data sharing among multiple
organizations with common interests, including:
  Healthcare organizations sharing electronic health records (EHRs)
and medical imaging data
 Government agencies collaborating on public sector initiatives and
services
 Financial services institutions sharing financial data and
transaction processing services
 Research and educational institutions sharing scientific data and
collaboration tools
 Examples: Healthcare Information Exchanges (HIEs), Government
Community Clouds (GCCs), Financial Services Clouds.

Each cloud deployment model offers unique advantages and considerations,

and organizations may choose to adopt a single deployment model or a
combination of models based on their specific requirements, use cases, and
strategic objectives. By understanding the characteristics and capabilities of
each deployment model, organizations can make informed decisions and
effectively leverage cloud computing to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.