Quiz 4

Cloud Computing Overview

An introduction to the different types of cloud computing from deployment and service standpoints, including traditional versus cloud computing, service and deployment models, and moving into the cloud.

Definition of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is defined by NIST as a model that enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort.

Traditional Computing Model

Involves physical hardware infrastructure, long procurement cycles, capacity planning for peak loads, and high capital expenses for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

Cloud Computing Infrastructure

Cloud computing abstracts physical hardware, allowing for rapid changes, cost-effectiveness, and scalability without the need for consumers to manage hardware directly.

Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Essential characteristics include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, and rapid elasticity, enabling scalable and flexible cloud services delivery.

Rapid Provisioning

Quickly adding or removing computing capacity in the cloud based on demand.

Measured Service

Everything in cloud computing is metered, including CPU, memory, storage, and network usage.

On-Demand Self-Service

Consumers can unilaterally provision computing capabilities without human interaction with the service provider.

Broad Network Access

Cloud capabilities are accessible over the network through standard mechanisms like web browsers or HTTPS.

Resource Pooling

Providers pool computing resources to serve multiple customers using a multi-tenant model.

Rapid Elasticity

Cloud capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released based on consumer demand.

Cloud Service Models

Describes the consumption and provision of services by the cloud service provider, including Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service.

Platform as a Service

Provisioning application building or deployment capability in the cloud, including programming languages, frameworks, and necessary services.

Infrastructure as a Service

Provisioning processing, storage, and network capabilities in the cloud, allowing consumers to deploy software and manage computing resources.

Software as a Service

Consuming fully featured software running in the provider's cloud, examples include Salesforce.com and Google apps.

Multi-tenancy

Concept in cloud computing where a single instance of software serves multiple tenants (users or groups) with shared access and different privileges.

Cloud Deployment Models

Examining cloud service providers from the consumer's perspective to understand who else shares the cloud environment.

Instance

A single process or running program with allocated resources in the cloud, serving as a unit of work for a software application.

Cloud Consumer

Refers to entities like Indiana University that subscribe to cloud services.

Shared Instance

A single instance of a service shared among multiple users or organizations.

Multi-Tenant Infrastructure

Hosting multiple tenants' data on the same instance while keeping them logically isolated.

Private Cloud

Cloud infrastructure exclusively used by a single organization, potentially with multiple consumers.

Community Cloud

Cloud infrastructure provisioned for a specific community or group of organizations.

Public Cloud

Cloud infrastructure open for use by the general public, not restricted to specific members.

Hybrid Cloud

Combining private and public cloud models to meet specific organizational needs.

Cloud Bursting

Load balancing across multiple cloud service providers for better resource management.

Cloud Service Models

Different types of services provided in the cloud, such as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.

Cloud Deployment Models

Various ways cloud services are integrated and provided, including private, public, community, and hybrid clouds.

Cloud Infrastructure

The hardware and software components that enable cloud computing, including computer hardware, networks, and the software abstraction layer.

Cloud Environment

The combination of cloud infrastructure and tenants or customers utilizing the cloud services.

Cloud Abstraction Layer

A software layer deployed on computer hardware to create the essential characteristics of cloud computing.

Virtualization

A key component of cloud computing where servers and storage are virtualized to create virtual machines.

Elastic Load Balancing

A virtual network device in the cloud that helps distribute workloads across multiple compute and storage instances.

Amazon Virtual Private Cloud

A networking service that allows the creation of a virtual network in the AWS cloud to provide dedicated resources for an enterprise.

Security Groups

Groups of individuals in the cloud environment with privileged actions on cloud instances, similar to administrators in traditional IT landscapes.

Amazon S3

Amazon's Simple Storage Service, used for batch storage in cloud applications.

Amazon DynamoDB

A non-relational database service provided by Amazon for cloud applications.

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

A networking service in AWS that enables the creation of a virtual network for cloud services to operate as if they are on the same network.

Legacy IT

Refers to traditional IT where all IT capabilities are on-premises, including operational and management responsibilities for hardware, software, networking, and storage, all managed by the cloud consumer.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

In this cloud service model, virtualized capabilities are provisioned in the cloud, with the cloud consumer responsible for installing the operating system and building the software stack on top of it.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

In this model, the cloud consumer builds and deploys applications that run on the underlying platform, with the consumer responsible for the applications' security while the platform's security is managed by the service provider.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

This cloud service model involves consumers using full-featured software in the cloud, with complete operations and management responsibilities resting with the cloud service provider.

Hybrid Cloud Operating Model

In this model, the IT organization acts as both a provider and a broker, managing services and negotiating deals with public or community cloud providers while stitching together different cloud computing models.

Cloud Drivers

The main driver for moving to the cloud is the potential for increased return on investment due to the pay-as-you-go or subscription model, leading to lower upfront investments and faster payback.

Cloud Security Concerns

Moving to the cloud raises concerns about security control, compliance, and shared computing challenges, including inheriting security vulnerabilities from virtualization and limited control over subscribed services.

Cloud Revenues

Cloud revenues are growing rapidly, with different services like business process services, platform as a service, cloud application services, and infrastructure as a service contributing to the market's significant size and growth.

Cloud First World

Default assumption of moving into the cloud and justifying not doing so.

Workload Identification

Process of identifying applications and processes that benefit most from cloud migration.

Hybrid IT

Utilizing both on-premises and cloud solutions for different applications.

Enterprise ERP Systems

Core business process systems in large companies often not suited for cloud migration due to control and capability concerns.

Private Cloud

Cloud adoption model offering benefits of cloud with lower risk and more control.

Cloud Adoption Framework

Six actions and five perspectives to develop a cloud strategy.

Cloud Migration Framework

Gartner's approach to assess applications for cloud migration based on service and deployment models.

Discovery Process

Initial step in cloud migration involving inventorying all applications in the environment.

Cloud Decision Framework

Tool to choose cloud models, deployment models, and service models based on specific needs and considerations.

Vendor Selection Process

The process of choosing the most suitable vendor for cloud services based on various criteria such as capabilities, pricing, and reliability.

Risk Mitigation

Strategies and actions taken to reduce or eliminate potential risks associated with cloud adoption, ensuring data security and compliance.

Steady State Operations

Refers to the stable and ongoing operational phase after the migration to the cloud, where day-to-day activities are managed efficiently.

Business Alignment

Ensuring that IT initiatives and investments align with the strategic goals and needs of the business to drive value and support growth.

Training and Skill Development

The need for IT organizations to provide training and upskill employees to adapt to the new cloud-based operational model effectively.

Governance

Establishing processes and skills within the IT organization to align with business objectives and ensure effective management of cloud resources.

Security Responsibility

Clarifies that while cloud providers may handle security capabilities, the organization remains liable for any security breaches and associated consequences.

Operations Protocols

Defined procedures and guidelines for the day-to-day interactions between end-users and the IT landscape provisioned in the cloud to ensure smooth operations.

Cloud Myths

Common misconceptions about cloud adoption, such as the belief that cloud is solely about cost savings or that it is always more secure than on-premises solutions.

Multi-Cloud Strategy

The approach of using multiple cloud providers to prevent vendor lock-in and leverage specialized services that a single provider may not offer.

Cloud Deployment Models

Different models such as private, public, community, and hybrid clouds that organizations can adopt.

Hybrid Cloud Model

A cloud model where organizations use a combination of private and public cloud services, leading to significant implications for the IT organization.

Cloud Service Models

Various models like infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, and software as a service that organizations can choose for migrating to the cloud.

Security Challenges in Cloud Computing

Issues like insecure APIs, shared underlying technology vulnerabilities, and lack of visibility into the service provider's operations pose security risks.

Identity and Access Management

Ensuring seamless integration between the cloud provider and the consumer's IAM solution to manage access securely.

Security Operations Center

A robust center within the cloud provider responsible for security assessments, incident management, and response capabilities.

Regulatory Environment

Cloud providers must adhere to security frameworks satisfying regulatory requirements, often requiring third-party audits for validation.

Resiliency and Availability

Cloud providers need to guarantee significant availability defined in contracts, especially for remote locations with unstable network connections.

Change Management Policies

Policies for release, change management, and user-driven change acceptance are crucial, particularly in a platform as a service model.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in the Cloud

Large companies moving ERP systems to the cloud need defined security zones, data protection, and process-level access provision.