Cloud Computing and Virtual Networking Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to cloud infrastructure, network function virtualization, and cloud security management.

Elasticity

The ability to scale up and scale down applications as needed to provide resources during times of large demand and reduce them when demand goes away.

Multitenancy

A cloud computing model where many different customers use the same cloud infrastructure to allow for efficiency in technology use and cost.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

The practice of replacing physical routers, switches, and other networking devices with virtual versions running in a virtualized environment.

Hypervisor

The software or platform from which virtual devices, network interfaces, and network configurations can be seen and managed.

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

A private, isolated section of a cloud infrastructure where application instances, such as web servers and database servers, are run.

Transit Gateway

A device that acts as a cloud router to connect multiple Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) together for communication.

VPN Connection

A secure tunnel that allows remote sites or user workstations to gain access to private Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) from the outside.

Internet Gateway

A VPC gateway that makes application instances available to anyone on the internet anywhere in the world.

VPC NAT Gateway

Allows private networks inside a VPC to communicate outbound to the internet by translating private addresses to a public IP address.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

The process used by a NAT gateway to translate private network addresses within a VPC into public IP addresses for internet communication.

VPC Endpoint

A direct connection from a VPC on one cloud provider to a resource or VPC on another cloud provider, often used to bypass the public internet for private subnets.

Security Groups and Lists

Firewall rules created for cloud-based services that control outbound and inbound traffic based on port numbers and protocols.

CIDR Block Notation

A method of specifying an entire block of IP addresses within security group rules.

Network Security List

A broad set of security rules automatically applied to all virtual cloud networks within a provider, often lack granularity.

Network Security Group

A security feature that allows for granular administration by assigning rules to individual Virtual Network Interface Cards (VNICs).

Virtual Network Interface Card (VNIC)

The individual interface inside a virtual cloud network to which specific network security groups can be assigned.