Lecture 2: Definition of Cloud

The cloud enables anyone with an internet connection to access IT resources on-
demand, such as those consumed by cloud-based applications. The basic resources
available are compute, storage, and networking, all of which are needed for a
business critical application to deliver a full experience.

Cloud ComputingTechnology

Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds

There are three types of clouds based on who is hosting the cloud and managing its
underlying infrastructure: they are private, public, and hybrid.

Public cloud services are made available to anybody who wants to purchase or
lease services. The three largest cloud service providers currently are Amazon Web
Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Private cloud services are built by enterprises for use by their employees and
partners only and are often on-premises data centers.

Hybrid cloud services combine the two to provide the benefits of a private cloud’s
direct control and a public cloud’s speed and scalability.

Virtualization

Virtualization technology is key because it allows physical servers, storage, and

networking services to be partitioned on demand using software. This is
accomplished through SDN and NFV. Generic hardware is then chosen over

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proprietary hardware because the functions and infrastructure that were bound to
specialized hardware are available as software.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing Definition is that it is a shared pool of configurable computing

resource (eg. networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) network on
demand over the internet. Cloud computing literally, is the use of remote servers
(usually accessible via the Internet) to process or store information. Access is
usually using a Web browser. Save files on a server via the Internet is one
example.

Cloud computing is the best solution to manage your applications yourself; it is a

shared multi-tenant platform that is supported. When using an application running
in the cloud, you simply connect to it, customize it and use it.

Today, Millions of us are happy to use a variety of applications in the cloud, such
as applications of CRM, HR, accounting, and even business applications. These
applications based in the cloud can be operational in a few days is not possible
with traditional enterprise software. They are cheap because you do not have to
invest in hardware and software, or to spend money for the configuration and
maintenance of complex layers of technology or to finance facilities to run them.
And they are more scalable, more secure and reliable than most applications.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

The advantage of cloud computing is two fold. It is a file backup shape. It also
allows working on the same document for several jobs (one person or a nomad
traveling) of various types (or PC, tab or smartphone).

Cloud computing simplifies usage by allowing overcoming the constraints of

traditional computer tools (installation and updating of software, storage, data
portability). Cloud computing also provides more elasticity and agility because it
allows faster access to IT resources (server, storage or bandwidth) via a simple
web portal and thus without investing in additional hardware.

NIST Cloud Computing three service and Definition:

The National Institute of Stands and Technology (NIST) describes cloud
computing as "a model" for on-demand network access to computing
resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services).

Common Cloud Service Models are:

Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS): The user has the possibility to use the
service provider's applications over the network. These applications are accessed
via different interfaces, thin client, Web browser, mobile devices...The customer
manages and does not control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
network, servers, operating systems, databases, storage, but can possibly benefit
from access to restricted configurations, specific to user categories.

Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS): The consumer can deploy cloud

infrastructure on its own applications. The user manages and does not control the
underlying cloud infrastructure (network, servers, operating systems, databases,
storage), but has control over the deployed applications and the ability to configure
the environment of application hosting.

Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The client can rent storage, processing
power, network and other computing resources. The user manages and does not
control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over databases ,
operating systems, and applications deployed.

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Types of Cloud Computing

1. Public cloud: This type of infrastructure is accessible to a wide audience and

belongs to a provider of "cloud services."

2. Private cloud: The cloud infrastructure works for one organization. It can
be managed by the company itself (internal Private Cloud). In the latter
case, the infrastructure is dedicated to the company and accessible via
secure VPN-type networks.

3. The Cloud Community: The infrastructure is shared by several organizations

that have common interests (e.g safety requirements, compliance ...). As private
cloud, it can be managed by the organizations themselves or by third parties.

4. Hybrid cloud: Infrastructure consists of two or more clouds (private,

Community or Public), which remain unique entities but are bound together by
standardized or proprietary technology, enabling data portability or
applications.

Cloud Computing Benefits and Limitations

The Benefits of Cloud Computing

1. Cost Reduction: Cloud computing is seen as an incremental

investment,companies can save money in the long term by obtaining
resources.

2. Storage increase: instead of purchasing large amounts of storage before the

need, organizations can increase storage incrementally, requesting additional
disk spaceon the service provider when the need is recognized.

3. Resource pooling: In the IT industry, this feature is also known as Multi-

tenancy,where many users / clients share a type and varied level of resources.

4. Highly automated: As the software and hardware requirements are hosted

on acloud provider, IT departments sites no longer have to worry about
keeping the things-to-date and available.

5. Greater mobility: Once the information is stored in the cloud, access it is

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 quite simple, just you have an Internet connection, regardless of where they
are located.

6. Change the IT focus: Once the responsibility of the computing environment

has,essentially shifted to the cloud provider, IT departments can now focus
more on the organization's needs and the development of strategic applications
and tactics and not on operational needs of the day-to-day.

7. Towards Green IT: By releasing the physical space, virtualization of

applications and servers contributes to the reduction of equipment as well as the
need for air conditioning, consequently, less energy waste.

8. Keep updated things: Similar to change the IT focus, this benefit is because of
the new demands of providers cloud services, ie, the focus of providers is to
monitor and maintain the most recent tools and techniques for the contractor.

9. Quick elasticity: this characteristic has to do with the fundamental aspects of

Cloud flexibility and elasticity. For example, the web shops carry a standard
amount of transactions during the year, but it is necessary to increase near
Christmas time. And of course these stores do not want to pay for that
capacity atpeak during the rest of the year.

10. Measurement service: which means services monitored, controlled and

reported. This feature allows a model of pay-per-use service, or pay for use. It
has similarities with the concept of telephone service packages where you pay a
standard signature to basic levels, and paid extra for the additional service,
withoutchanging the contract.

The limitations of Cloud Computing

The various problem areas for cloud computing environments are:

Security: As the data are no longer in their own organization, security becomes a
major issue and questions must be answered, such as: Data is protected as
adequate? There is a hacker-proof system? Can you meet the requirements
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regulations and government for privacy? How do you discover the leak
information? Note also that corporate governance is always very concerned about
the data that is stored outside the organization.

Location and Data Privacy: Where the data is stored? How data is stored? The
provider has adequate security for data in places where they are stored?

Levels of availability and service: Most organizations are familiar with the
agreements service levels. The service level agreement specifies the amount of
service capacity that someone has to provide, along with the penalties for not
providing this level of service.