Cloud Computing Notes: Combined

from Note 1, 2, 3, 4
Note 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing

On-Premise Computing
Definition: On-premise computing involves hosting and managing IT resources within an
organization’s own physical infrastructure. This approach requires significant upfront
investment in purchasing hardware and software licenses. Organizations have full control
over their IT infrastructure, data, configuration, and system management, but they are also
responsible for maintenance, upgrades, and patches.

Examples:
- Spotify: Processes over 60,000 tracks per minute, analyzing billions of data points daily.
- YouTube: Users watch over 1 billion hours of video per day, generating enormous
viewership data.
- UPS: Handles over 19.1 million packages per day, requiring real-time data processing for
route optimization.
- Walmart: Processes over 1 million customer transactions per hour to optimize inventory
and distribution.

Components:
- Server Cluster: Groups of interconnected servers providing increased computing power,
storage, and reliability.
- Data Centers: Facilities housing servers, storage systems, and networking equipment with
advanced cooling, power supplies, and robust connectivity for high availability.
- Security: Includes physical security measures like guards, card readers, and 24/7
monitoring.

Challenges:
- Requires significant capital expenditure for hardware, software, and infrastructure.
- Scaling is complex and time-consuming.
- Organizations bear maintenance and disaster recovery responsibilities.

Cloud Computing
Definition: Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources and services over the
internet, enabling users to leverage on-demand computing infrastructure, platforms, or
software applications provided by third-party service providers.
Early Models:
- Grid Computing: Created virtual environments by linking geographically dispersed
servers, enhancing computational power.
- Utility Computing: Offered metered computing resources similar to public utilities, laying
the groundwork for modern cloud computing.

Key Features:
- Access to scalable and elastic computing resources via internet-connected data centers
operated by cloud service providers.
- Extensive use of virtualization and abstraction technologies.

Advantages:
- Rapid scalability of resources.
- High uptime and reliability through redundant infrastructure.
- Reduces the need for in-house IT management, freeing resources for core business
activities.
- Centralized security management and compliance.

Limitations:
- Internet disruptions can impact business continuity.
- Storing sensitive data on third-party servers raises security and compliance concerns.
- Dependence on single cloud providers can create vendor lock-in.
- Potential hidden costs, such as data egress fees.

Comparison: On-Premise vs. Cloud Computing

Feature On-Premise Computing Cloud Computing

Ownership Organization owns and Provider owns

manages entire infrastructure; organization
infrastructure uses it as a service

Cost High upfront costs for Subscription or pay-as-you-

hardware, software go pricing

Maintenance Organization handles Provider handles

maintenance and upgrades maintenance and upgrades

Scalability Requires hardware Rapid and flexible scaling

procurement and setup

Availability Ensuring high availability is High availability through

costly and complex provider’s SLAs and
redundancy
Note 2: Cloud Computing Basics

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Definition: A comprehensive financial model that helps organizations understand the full
cost of acquiring, deploying, and maintaining a product or service over its lifetime.

Key Components:
- Hardware and software purchase prices.
- Ongoing maintenance and support.
- IT staff time, upgrades, compliance, and security management.

Cloud Computing Architecture

Cloud Computing Architecture refers to the overall structure and components that make up
a cloud computing environment.

Components:
- **Front-End**: Includes user devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones) and the client-side
applications interacting with the cloud.
- **Back-End**: Physical infrastructure like data centers, servers, and databases powering
cloud services.
- **Middleware**: Connects front-end and back-end, providing APIs and management tools.
- **Network**: Enables data transmission between front-end and back-end components.

Note 3: Cloud Deployment Models

Public Cloud
Definition: A cloud computing model where services are provided by third-party providers
over the public internet, making them available to multiple users or organizations.

Features:
- Scalability: Can adjust resources based on demand.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Pay-as-you-go pricing removes upfront capital investments.
- Maintenance by Third-Party Providers: Providers manage the infrastructure, reducing the
workload on IT personnel.

Private Cloud
Definition: A cloud computing environment dedicated to a single organization, providing
more control, security, and customization.

Features:
- Enhanced Security and Control: Resources are used by a single organization, offering
greater security.
- Customization: Organizations can modify the architecture and software to fit specific
needs.
- Dedicated Resources: Guarantees high performance by using dedicated servers and
storage.

Hybrid Cloud
Definition: A combination of public and private clouds that work together, enabling data
and application portability between the two.

Features:
- Flexibility: Combines public and private cloud advantages.
- Data Mobility: Seamless transfer of data between environments.
- Disaster Recovery: Supports comprehensive disaster recovery strategies.

Note 4: Cloud Service Models

Virtualization
Definition: The process of creating virtual versions of physical computing resources, such as
servers, storage, and networks.

Types of Virtualization:
- Server Virtualization
- Storage Virtualization
- Network Virtualization

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Definition: On-demand access to cloud-hosted infrastructure (virtual machines, storage,
networking), offering high availability and scalability.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Definition: A platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without
managing the underlying infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Definition: Software applications delivered over the internet, accessible from any device
with a web browser.