Cloud Computing

Infrastructure and
Services
LECTURE 01
Introduction to the course
Study of Cloud Computing is becoming an essential part of computing curriculum with the
emergence of new service & deployment models in cloud computing. This course gives students
a theoretical foundation and hands-on experience with the various technologies of the cloud
computing paradigm. Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service, whereby
distributed resources are provided by appropriate service suppliers and leased, rather than
owned, by an end user as a utility over a network. The course is divided into two parts.
First part is designed to give introduction to the cloud computing, architecture, virtualization,
design and management of cloud computing.

Second part of the course explores advanced research topics in the area of distributed systems,
grid and cloud computing.
What is Cloud Computing?

Definition:
•Cloud Computing is the delivery of computing services (servers, storage,
•databases, networking, software) over the internet (“the cloud”).

Core Idea:
•Access resources on-demand without owning the hardware or software.
Why Cloud Computing?

Scalability:
•Scale resources up or down based on needs.
Cost Efficiency:
•Pay only for what you use, reducing IT costs.
Accessibility:
•Access data and services from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cloud Computing Benefits

1. Cost Reduction:
•Lower operational costs (no need to buy and maintain hardware).
2. Flexibility & Scalability:
•Easily scale up/down based on business demands.
3. Improved Performance:
•Access to the latest technologies and infrastructure without the need for frequent updates.
Cloud Computing Benefits (Continue)

4. Accessibility & Mobility:

•Work from anywhere, increasing productivity and collaboration.
5. Data Backup and Recovery:
•Automated backups and disaster recovery solutions.
6. Security:
•Advanced security protocols and compliance measures.
1. Case for Cloud: Outsource Data Center

Objective: Explore the benefits and challenges of outsourcing data centers to the cloud.
Traditional Data Centers vs. Cloud-Based Solutions
Traditional Data Center Setup:

Infrastructure: Traditional data centers involve physical servers, storage devices, networking
equipment, and related hardware. These need dedicated space, electricity, cooling systems, and
constant maintenance.
Costs: The capital expenditure (CapEx) for setting up a traditional data center is high. Costs
include purchasing hardware, real estate, electricity, cooling, staffing, and periodic upgrades.
Maintenance: Traditional data centers require ongoing operational expenses (OpEx) for
maintenance, including IT staff, hardware replacements, and energy costs.
Example: A traditional company, like a bank or a large manufacturing firm, might own and
operate its own data center. They are responsible for every aspect of the infrastructure, from
power and cooling to security and hardware management.
Cloud-Based Solutions:
Infrastructure: In contrast, cloud-based solutions involve renting computing resources from a
cloud provider like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. Organizations do not need to invest
in physical hardware.
Costs: Cloud services follow a pay-as-you-go model, meaning businesses only pay for the
resources they use. This shifts costs from CapEx to OpEx, reducing the financial burden of large
upfront investments.
Scalability: Cloud resources can be scaled up or down as needed, providing flexibility to match
demand without over-provisioning.
Reliability
Focus on Core Business
Examples
Example: Airbnb, which operates entirely on the cloud, utilizes AWS to handle all its computing
needs without owning any physical servers. This allows them to scale resources dynamically as
demand fluctuates, such as during peak travel seasons. (example of scalability)

Example: Startups often leverage cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud because they can
start small with minimal costs and scale as they grow, without the financial burden of
maintaining a physical data center. (example of scalability)

Example: Amazon.com, particularly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, can scale its
infrastructure to handle the massive influx of users, ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
Examples
Expedia relies on the cloud to ensure its website is always available to customers worldwide. Even in case of server
failure or regional issues, the cloud’s redundancy ensures uninterrupted service (example of reliability)

A financial services firm might use cloud services for its IT infrastructure, allowing it to focus on developing financial
products and services rather than worrying about data center management. (example of focus on core business)

Netflix:
◦ Cloud Usage: Netflix uses AWS to stream content globally. The company can dynamically scale its infrastructure to meet
demand, ensuring that viewers around the world have a seamless streaming experience regardless of the time or location.
◦ Benefit: This setup allows Netflix to handle millions of simultaneous streams without owning any physical infrastructure.

Spotify:
◦ Cloud Migration: Spotify moved its entire infrastructure to Google Cloud to improve scalability and focus on enhancing its
music streaming service. The cloud allows Spotify to handle millions of users streaming music concurrently without worrying
about server capacity.
◦ Benefit: This migration has enabled Spotify to scale its service easily and roll out new features faster.
Challenges
Data Security:
Concerns: Storing sensitive data in the cloud raises security concerns. Businesses worry about data
breaches, unauthorized access, and data loss. These concerns are heightened for industries like
finance and healthcare, where data privacy is critical.
Cloud Provider Security Features:
Encryption: Data is often encrypted both at rest and in transit, ensuring that even if data is
intercepted, it cannot be read.
Access Controls: Cloud providers offer granular access controls, allowing businesses to define who
can access specific data and under what conditions.
Compliance Certifications: Providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure comply with international
standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC 27001, providing businesses with
assurance that their data is handled securely.
Dependence on Service Providers:
Vendor Lock-In: Relying heavily on a single cloud provider can lead to vendor lock-in, where
switching providers becomes difficult due to proprietary services, data transfer costs, or
compatibility issues. This can limit an organization's flexibility and negotiating power.
Mitigation Strategies:
◦ Multi-Cloud Approach: Businesses can adopt a multi-cloud strategy, using services from multiple
providers to avoid over-reliance on one. This approach also allows them to take advantage of the
strengths of different cloud platforms.
◦ Hybrid Cloud: Combining public and private clouds, a hybrid cloud approach offers flexibility.
Organizations can keep sensitive data in a private cloud while using a public cloud for less critical
operations.
Example: A multinational corporation might use AWS for its primary operations but rely on
Azure for specific applications and Google Cloud for big data analytics. This strategy reduces
dependence on a single provider and optimizes performance.
Case for Cloud: Massive Data
Growth
Objective
To explain how cloud computing addresses the challenges posed by the exponential growth of
data.
1. Data Explosion
Unprecedented Growth:
◦ The world has seen an enormous increase in data generation due to various factors like IoT devices,
social media, video streaming, and digital transformation across industries.
◦ Statistics:
◦ Predictions are the global data sphere will reach 175 zettabytes by 2025. This highlights the massive
scale of data that businesses and organizations need to manage.
2- Challenges of Massive Data
Growth
Storage Limitations

Data Management Complexities

Need for Fast Data Processing and Retrieval

3- Cloud Solutions
i - Scalable Storage Solutions:
Cloud storage solutions, such as Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, and Microsoft Azure Blob
Storage, offer virtually unlimited storage capacity. Businesses can scale their storage needs up or
down based on demand, paying only for what they use.

Example:A company experiencing rapid growth can quickly scale its storage infrastructure
without investing in physical hardware, ensuring continuous operations without interruption.
ii- Data Analytics:
Cloud platforms provide advanced data analytics tools like AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery, and
Azure Synapse Analytics. These tools can process and analyze large datasets efficiently, enabling
businesses to extract valuable insights.
Example:A retail company can use cloud-based analytics to analyze customer behavior in real-
time, optimizing inventory levels and improving customer experience.
Global Accessibility:
Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere in the world, enabling global
collaboration and operations. This is particularly beneficial for multinational companies that
need to manage data across different regions.
Example:A global e-commerce platform can synchronize its data across multiple locations,
ensuring consistent customer experience worldwide.
Real-World Applications
Facebook:
Facebook manages billions of user interactions daily, including posts, messages, and video
uploads. The platform relies on cloud storage and processing to handle the massive volume of
data generated by its users.
Example:
◦ To store and manage user data, Facebook uses a combination of its infrastructure and cloud solutions to
ensure scalability, reliability, and quick data retrieval.
Google:
Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day. The company utilizes its cloud infrastructure
to manage and analyze this data in real-time, ensuring users receive accurate and relevant
search results instantly.
Example:
◦ Google's ability to deliver search results quickly and efficiently relies on its vast cloud infrastructure that
handles massive datasets daily.