Final: M1

1) What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing = on-demand delivery of IT resources via the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing.

Cloud includes:

  • compute power

  • database

  • storage

  • apps + IT resources

Big mindset shift:

  • Traditional model → infrastructure as hardware

  • Cloud model → infrastructure as software

Traditional (hardware) problems:

  • long procurement cycles

  • need space + staff + physical security

  • must guess capacity for peak usage

  • pay upfront even if unused (CapEx)

Cloud (software) benefits:

  • flexible

  • faster to change

  • cheaper + scalable

  • removes “undifferentiated heavy lifting” (racking/stacking servers)

    2) Cloud Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

    These are levels of control.

    IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

    • building blocks: compute, networking, storage

    • most control + flexibility

    • closest to traditional IT

    Examples mindset:

    • “I manage OS, apps; AWS provides infrastructure.”

    PaaS (Platform as a Service)

    • you don’t manage hardware/OS

    • you focus on deploying/managing apps

    SaaS (Software as a Service)

    • fully finished product

    • provider runs/manages everything

    • you just use it

    Example:

    • web-based email

    ✅ Memory hack:
    IaaS = you control most
    PaaS = you control your app
    SaaS = you just use the software

    3) Cloud Deployment Models (Cloud, Hybrid, On-Premises)

    These are where your resources live.

    Cloud

    • everything runs in cloud

    • built in cloud or migrated

    • can use low-level infrastructure or high-level managed services

    Hybrid

    • connects cloud resources + non-cloud resources (usually on-prem)

    • allows org to expand into cloud while still linked to internal systems

    On-premises (Private Cloud)

    • resources hosted internally

    • may use virtualization/resource mgmt tools

    • fewer cloud advantages, but gives dedicated resources

    4) AWS vs Traditional Data Center Analogs

    AWS services map to traditional IT concepts:

    Security:

    • Security Groups / NACLs / IAM
      ≈ firewalls / ACLs / admins

    Networking:

    • VPC + Elastic Load Balancing
      ≈ routers + network pipelines + switches

    Compute:

    • EC2 + AMIs
      ≈ servers + server images

    Storage + DB:

    • EBS / EFS / S3 / RDS
      ≈ DAS / NAS / SAN / RDBMS

    5) Six Advantages of Cloud Computing (VERY TESTED)

    These are basically guaranteed on finals.

    1. Trade CapEx for Variable Expense

    • stop buying servers upfront

    • pay only when you use resources

    2. Massive Economies of Scale

    • AWS aggregates millions of users

    • lower pay-as-you-go pricing

    3. Stop Guessing Capacity

    • scale up/down quickly

    • avoid idle resources vs not enough resources

    4. Increase Speed & Agility

    • new resources in minutes

    • experimentation is faster/cheaper

    5. Stop Maintaining Data Centers

    • focus on what differentiates your business

    • less racking/stacking/powering servers

    6. Go Global in Minutes

    • deploy in multiple AWS regions fast

    • lower latency for customers worldwide

    ✅ Mnemonic:
    CapEx → variable
    Economies of scale
    Capacity guessing stops
    Speed/agility
    Data center maintenance stops
    Global in minutes
    = CECS-DG

    6) What is AWS?

    AWS is a secure cloud platform with a broad set of services.

    Key idea:

    • you get on-demand IT resources + management tools

    • flexibility

    • pay only for what you use

    • services work together like building blocks

    7) Main AWS Service Categories (the ones your course focuses on)

    • compute

    • storage

    • database

    • networking & content delivery

    • security, identity & compliance

    • management & governance

    • AWS cost management

    Core services named in your notes:

    • EC2

    • S3

    • RDS

    • VPC

    • IAM

    • EBS, EFS

    • ECS/EKS/ECR (container ecosystem)

    • KMS

    8) How to Access AWS Services (3 ways)

    1) AWS Management Console

    • graphical UI

    • easiest for humans

    2) AWS CLI

    • command line tools

    • automation/scripting

    3) SDKs

    • programmatic access via code in languages

    • can build/deploy/manage via apps

    All built on a common REST-like API.

    9) AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (AWS CAF)

    CAF = guidance + best practices for successful cloud adoption across organization + IT lifecycle.

    AWS CAF has 6 perspectives:

    Business
    People
    Governance
    Platform
    Security
    Operations

    Split:

    • Business + People + Governance = business capabilities

    • Platform + Security + Operations = technical capabilities

    What each does:

    ✅ Business

    • strong cloud business case

    • aligns business goals + IT goals

    • prioritizes initiatives

    ✅ People

    • org roles + skill gaps + training needs

    • staffing + agile org building

    ✅ Governance

    • align IT strategy with business strategy

    • maximize value, minimize risk

    ✅ Platform

    • target architecture, migration planning

    • principles/patterns for cloud solutions

    ✅ Security

    • visibility, auditability, control, agility

    • select/implement security controls

    ✅ Operations

    • day-to-day running of IT + support

    • how business operations are conducted long-term