Chapter 1 - Cloud

Computing
Fundamentals
What is Cloud Computing?

• The “cloud” is a term that simply means “the internet.” Computing involves the infrastructures and
systems that allow a computer to run and build, deploy, or interact with information. This means that
instead of hosting infrastructure, systems, or applications on hard drive or an on-site server, we are
hosting it on virtual/online servers that connect to our computer through secure networks.
• Cloud Computing is defined as storing and accessing of data and computing services over the internet.
It doesn’t store any data on your personal computer. It is the on-demand availability of computer
services like servers, data storage, networking, databases, etc.
• Example- Whenever you travel through a bus or train, you take a ticket for your destination and hold
back to your seat till you reach your destination. Likewise other passengers also takes ticket and travel
in the same bus with you, and it hardly bothers you where they go. When your stop comes you get off
the bus thanking the driver. Cloud computing is just like that bus, carrying data and information for
different users and allows to use its service with minimal cost.
Difference between on premises and cloud computing
On Premises Cloud Computing

Higher Pay, Less scalability Pay for what you use (scale up- pay more, scale down –
pay less )
Huge space required for servers No servers required

Dedicated team for hardware and software No experts required for hardware and software. They
maintenance. are manged by the providers.
Poor data security Better data security.

Less chance of data recovery Disaster recovery

High flexibility
Lack of flexibility
Automatic software updates
No automatic updates
Less collaboration Teams can collaborate from different locations.

Data cannot be accessed remotely Data can be accessed and shared anywhere over the
internet
Takes longer implementation Rapid implementation
Example of Cloud Computing

Netflix 
Alexa
Google Assistant 
Email, Calendar,
Skype, WhatsApp
Microsoft Office 365, Google Docs 
Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace, Twitter 
Dropbox, Google Drive, Google
Photos, iCloud, Samsung Cloud, and
Amazon S3 

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Why Cloud Computing ?

• Cloud storage enables us to make data available anywhere we are, anytime we need it. Instead of being tied to a location
or specific device, people can access data from anywhere in the world from any device—as long as they have an internet
connection.
• Scalability and flexibility- Cloud computing gives your business more flexibility. We can quickly scale resources and
storage up to meet business demands without having to invest in physical infrastructure.
• Cost savings- Whatever cloud service model you choose, you only pay for the resources you use. This helps you avoid
overbuilding and overprovisioning your data center and gives your IT teams back valuable time to focus on more
strategic work.
• Advanced security features, automatic maintenance, and centralized management.
• 24/7 Monitoring, Improved Speed & Bandwidth
• Data loss prevention - Cloud providers offer backup and disaster recovery features. Storing data in the cloud rather
than locally can help prevent data loss in the event of an emergency, such as hardware malfunction, malicious threats, or
even simple user error.
• Pay as you use- users only pay for the resources they use.
• Regular updates: Service providers regularly update offerings to give users the most up-to-date technology.
How does cloud computing work?

• Cloud computing architecture is divided into the following two parts –

Front End
Back End
• Front end - The front end and the back end are connected to each other through a network, usually
the Internet. The front end is the side of the computer user or client side.
• The front end contains the client’s computer network and the application needed to access the cloud
system. It is not necessary that all cloud computing systems have the same user interface. The front end
includes web servers (including Chrome, Firefox, internet explorer, etc.), tablets, and mobile devices.
• The back end is ‘the cloud’ section of the system. The back end is used by the service provider. On
the back end of the cloud technology system, there are various computers, servers and data storage
systems that make up the cloud.
• A cloud computing system could potentially include any computer program, from data processing to
video games. Generally, each application will have its own dedicated server. It manages all the
resources that are required to provide cloud computing services.
• It includes a huge amount of data storage, security mechanism, virtual machines, deploying models,
servers, traffic control mechanisms, etc. The backend runs on computers in a large data center capable
of handling hundreds or thousands of users.
• A central server manages the communication between the frontend and backend. This server:
• Uses a special kind of software known as middle ware. Middle ware permits networked computers to
communicate with each other.
• Middleware got its name because the first middleware typically acted as a mediator between an
application front-end, or client, and a back-end resource
• Uses middleware to manage the link between client devices and cloud servers.
• Uses the Internet to share data with the consumer (unless the design has a private network). The
connection must have high bandwidth, little to no latency, and top-tier network security.
• Relies on strict cloud security protocols to facilitate the safe exchange of data.
• Its purpose is to manage traffic and client demands to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Cloud Infrastructure
• Compute: Performs the basic computing
for the cloud systems. This is almost
always virtualized so the instance can be
moved around.
• Networking: Usually commodity
hardware running some kind of software-
defined networking (SDN) software to
manage cloud.
• Storage: Usually a combination hard
disks and flash storage designed to move
data back and forth between the public
and private clouds.

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Components of Cloud Computing Architecture

• There are the following components of cloud computing architecture –

• Client Infrastructure- Client Infrastructure is a Front-end component. It provides GUI (Graphical
User Interface) to interact with the cloud.
• Application- The application may be any software or platform that a client wants to access.
• Service- A Cloud Services manages that which type of service you access according to the client’s
requirement.
• Three type of services:
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Cloud Services Delivery Model
The three major Cloud Computing services are
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

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SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS or Software as a Service means instead of installing software on your computer, you access the platform online.

It involves the licensure of a software application to customers. Licenses are typically provided through a pay-as-you-go model or on-demand. This type of system can be found in Microsoft Office's 365.

Through internet this service is available to users anywhere in the world.

• In this model applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network
(internet).
• Traditionally, software application needed to be purchased upfront & then installed it onto your computer. SaaS users on the
other hand, instead of purchasing the software subscribes to it, usually on monthly basis via internet.
• Anyone who needs an access to a particular piece of software can be subscribe as a user, whether it is one or two people or
every thousands of employees in a corporation. SaaS is compatible with all internet enabled devices.
• SaaS enables a client to think only about how the business and customers use the software, not how to deliver or maintain it.
Examples would include:
• Square, which processes payments online
• Google Apps such as Google Drive or Calendar
• Salesforce Dropbox, HubSpot, Cisco WebEx, Mailchimp, Netflix, Spotify
• Slack, which allows collaboration and chat between other users

(Slack is a messaging app for business that connects people to the information that they need .)
 Advantages of SaaS

• SaaS removes the need for organizations to install and run applications on their own computers or in their
own data centers. This eliminates the expense of hardware acquisition, provisioning and maintenance, as well
as software licensing, installation and support. 
• Since SaaS is subscription-based, costs are economical.
• No infrastructure needed
• Scalable usage- Scalability: when your business grows, you can purchase more licenses from your vendor; if
your business shrinks, you can cut back on licenses and save money.
• Automatic updates.
• Accessibility and persistence - Since SaaS vendors deliver applications over the internet, users can access
them from any internet-enabled device and location.
• Customization - SaaS applications are often customizable and can be integrated with other business
applications
 Challenges and risks of SaaS

• Customers lose control over versioning. If the provider

adopts a new version of an application, it will roll out
to all its customers, regardless of whether or not the
customer wants the newer version. This may require the
organization to provide extra time and resources for
training.
• Difficulty switching vendors. As with using any cloud
service provider, switching vendors can be difficult. To
switch vendors, customers must migrate very large
amounts of data.
• Security. Cloud security is often cited as a significant
challenge for SaaS applications.

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IaaS or Infrastructure as a Service. 
• IAAS means the hiring & utilizing of the Physical
Infrastructure of IT (network, storage, and servers) from a
third-party provider. The IT resources are hosted on external
servers, and users can access them via an internet connection.
• IaaS provides infrastructure components such as servers,
storage, networking, security, and moreover the cloud. It offers
infrastructure components that typically run in the provider's
data center, such as:
• Computing resources (CPU and RAM), Data storage,
Networking Hardware
• The business rents virtual machines (VMs), virtual servers,
operating systems, and other IT infrastructure on a pay-as-you-
go basis. The cloud service provider is responsible for
maintaining all data storage servers and networking hardware,
eliminating the need for a resource-intensive, on-site
installation.

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• IaaS is a complete package for computing. For small scale businesses who are looking for cutting cost on IT infrastructure,
IaaS is one of the solutions. Annually a lot of money is spent in maintenance and buying new components like hard-drives,
network connections, external storage device etc. which a business owner could have saved for other expenses by using
IaaS.
• Examples would include:
• Dropbox, a file storage and sharing system
• Microsoft Azure, which offers backup and disaster recovery services, hosting, and more
• Rackspace, which offers data, security, and infrastructure services.

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• Time and cost savings
• Mishap and disaster recovery, with
data being replicated and restored
fast
• Better flexibility: On-demand
hardware resources that can be
tailored to your needs.
• Remote access and resource
management.
• Multiple users on a single
hardware.
• 24/7 support offered by many
renowned IaaS providers

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IaaS Disadvantages
• Security. While the users have full control over the infrastructure, but cybersecurity specialists have
still raised the concerns of source host or virtual machines (VMs)
• Companies need to train their workforce in order to effectively manage the infrastructure.
Who can use IaaS?
• This cloud computing service model is ideal for large accounts, enterprises, or organizations to build
and manage their own IT platforms. 
• IaaS challenges
• Defining the provider’s and the client’s responsibilities
• Making contract clauses clear and unambiguous
• Providing sufficient security measures for data storage and data protection
• Making the migration to the IaaS model process run smoothly
PaaS or Platform as a Service.
 

• PaaS, or platform as a service, takes full on-premise infrastructure management one step further.
• It provides computing platforms such as operating systems, programming language execution
environments, databases, and web servers.
• PaaS provides a platform and environment to allow developers to build applications and services. This
service is hosted in the cloud and accessed by the users via internet.
• It offers companies the ability to rapidly build customized solutions with the help of advanced tools.
• Rather than code everything from the ground up, PaaS providers often have pre-built blocks that
developers can just plug and play to build better apps quickly.
• PaaS enables users to create, run, and maintain their apps without building and updating the
infrastructure or platform associated with the process, making it primarily beneficial for developers and
programmers.
• Example 1) – while painting a
picture, you are provided with
paint colors, different paint
brushes and paper by your
schoolteacher and you just
have to draw a beautiful
picture using those tools.

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Examples - Google App Engine and Heroku, which allow developers to develop and serve apps

• Google Cloud.
• Microsoft Azure.
• AWS.
• IBM Cloud.
• Red Hat OpenShift.
• VMware (Pivotal) Cloud Foundry.
• Oracle Cloud Platform (OCP)
• Zoom
• Netflix
• Shopify
• Mailchimp
• Features of PaaS-
• Multi-tenant architecture
• Flexible “services-enabled” integration model
• Unlimited Database Customization
• Robust workflow capabilities
• Granular control over security
• Customizable user interface
Advantage of PaaS-
• Cost Savings: You do not need hardware purchases or downtime costs.
• Saves Time: PaaS’s core stack doesn’t need to be set up or maintained, and it saves time.
• Speed to Market, Improves Security, Automated Updation and Maintenance:
• Future-Proof: Users can access cutting-edge technology, data centers, and operating systems.
• Enhances Scalability: It increases the capacity during peak hours and decreases it at times of necessity.
• Personalized Solutions:  With the operational tools of PaaS, developers can construct specialized solutions.
• Increases Flexibility:  It enables users to access and use programs from any location.
• 24/7 Assistance: The PaaS vendors have a team of experts that can support the complete PaaS infrastructure
along with the applications. The assisting team provide 24/7/365 assistance to their customers
Disadvantage of PAAS
• Data security is a major concern.
• There is a high probability of data mismatch when integrating the data because data is kept in both local storage
and the cloud.
• Internet dependency: The customer can access the PaaS services only if he has an internet connection. Without
an internet connection, it is impossible for customers to access their leased services.
• Lack of Portability: As the application is built using the vendor’s tools and his hosted platform, it will be
difficult to switch an application to some other vendor’s platform. As the other vendor’s platform may not
support the libraries, language, API or the operating systems. This leaves you in vendor lock-in condition.

Who can use PaaS?

• It is ideal for companies who wants to maintain control over their business applications.
• However, they wish to get rid of constraints to manage the hardware infrastructure and software environment.

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Cloud computing deployment models
• The deployment models for cloud computing are categorized based on their location.
• There are three types of cloud computing deployment models:
• Private Cloud
• Public Cloud
• Hybrid Cloud.
Public Cloud

• The name says it all. It is accessible to the public. It uses internet to store and manage access to data
and applications.
• Public deployment models in the cloud are perfect for organizations with growing and fluctuating
demands. It also makes a great choice for companies with low-security concerns.
• Thus, you pay a cloud service provider for networking services, compute virtualization & storage
available on the public internet.
• It is also a great delivery model for the teams with development and testing. Its configuration and
deployment are quick and easy, making it an ideal choice for test environments.
• Benefits of Public Cloud
• Minimal Investment - As a pay-per-use service, there is no large upfront cost and is ideal for businesses who
need quick access to resources
• No Hardware Setup - The cloud service providers fully fund the entire Infrastructure
• No Infrastructure Management - This does not require an in-house team to utilize the public cloud.
• Limitations of Public Cloud
• Data Security and Privacy Concerns - Since it is accessible to all, it does not fully protect against cyber-
attacks and could lead to vulnerabilities.
• Reliability Issues - Since the same server network is open to a wide range of users, it can lead to malfunction
and outages
• Service/License Limitation - While there are many resources you can exchange with tenants, there is a usage
cap.
Private Cloud

• Companies that look for cost efficiency and greater control over data & resources will find the private
cloud a more suitable choice. Private cloud provides a proprietary cloud environment dedicated to a single
business entity, with physical components stored on-premises or at a vendor’s datacenter. Because the
private cloud is only accessible to a single business, this model offers a high degree of control.
• It means that it will be integrated with data center and managed by company IT team.
• Advantages include customized architecture, advanced security protocols, and the ability to extend
computing resources in a virtualized environment as needed. In many cases, an organization maintains a
private cloud infrastructure on-site while delivering cloud computing services to internal users via the
intranet.
• In other instances, the organization contracts with a third-party cloud vendor to host and maintain
exclusive servers off site.
• Benefits of Private Cloud
• Data Privacy - It is ideal for storing corporate data where only authorized personnel gets access
• Security - Segmentation of resources within the same Infrastructure can help with better access and
higher levels of security.
• Supports Legacy Systems - This model supports legacy systems that cannot access the public cloud.
• Limitations of Private Cloud
• Higher Cost - With the benefits you get, the investment will also be larger than the public cloud. Here,
you will pay for software, hardware, and resources for staff and training.
• Fixed Scalability - The hardware you choose will accordingly help you scale in a certain direction
• High Maintenance - Since it is managed in-house, the maintenance costs also increase.
Hybrid Cloud

• As the name suggests, a hybrid cloud is a combination of two or more cloud architectures. While each
model in the hybrid cloud functions differently, it is all part of the same architecture. Further, as part of
this deployment of the cloud computing model, the internal or external providers can offer resources.
• Example - A company with critical data will prefer storing on a private cloud, while less sensitive data
can be stored on a public cloud. The hybrid cloud is also frequently used for 'cloud bursting'. It means,
supposes an organization runs an application on-premises, but due to heavy load, it can burst into the
public cloud.
• The hybrid cloud model allows companies to store confidential data internally and access it via
applications running in the public cloud.
• Benefits of Hybrid Cloud
• Cost-Effectiveness - The overall cost of a hybrid solution decreases since it majorly uses the public
cloud to store data.
• Security - Since data is properly segmented, the chances of data theft from attackers are significantly
reduced.
• Flexibility - With higher levels of flexibility, businesses can create custom solutions that fit their exact
requirements
• Limitations of Hybrid Cloud
• Complexity - It is complex setting up a hybrid cloud since it needs to integrate two or more cloud
architectures
• Specific Use Case - This model makes more sense for organizations that have multiple use cases or need
to separate critical and sensitive data
Cloud Services Provider