Assignment series -1​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2025OD073

CLOUD COMPUTING ARCHITECTURE

​ ​ ​ 2025OD073

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

NITHEESHKUMAR G​​ ​ ​ ​ 7376221CS246

1.INTRODUCTION

Cloud computing has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies in modern
information technology. It refers to the practice of delivering various computing services over the
internet, such as storage, servers, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence.
These services are provided by cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft
Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and others. Cloud computing eliminates the need for
organizations to invest in and maintain physical infrastructure. Instead, they can access
computing resources on a pay-as-you-go basis, enhancing scalability, efficiency, and innovation.

The rise of cloud computing has enabled businesses, governments, educational institutions, and
individuals to perform tasks more flexibly and cost-effectively. It has reshaped the way IT
services are developed, deployed, and managed. At the heart of this shift lies a robust and
well-designed architecture that ensures the seamless delivery of services, efficient resource
management, and secure data handling.

1.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is built around several core characteristics that distinguish it from traditional
computing:

1.​ On-Demand Self-Service: Users can automatically provision computing resources, such
as processing power and storage, without requiring human interaction with service
providers.​
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2.​ Broad Network Access: Cloud services are accessible from any device with an internet
connection, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.​

3.​ Resource Pooling: Resources such as storage, memory, and processing power are pooled
together and shared among multiple users. This multi-tenant model improves efficiency
and utilization.​

4.​ Rapid Elasticity: Cloud systems can scale resources up or down automatically based on
demand. This elasticity supports variable workloads and unpredictable traffic spikes.​

5.​ Measured Service: Cloud usage is monitored, controlled, and reported, enabling a
transparent pay-per-use model. This ensures users are billed only for what they use.

1.2 CLOUD SERVICE MODELS

Cloud computing operates under three primary service models, often referred to as the SPI model
— Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service
(IaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the
internet. It gives users access to fundamental infrastructure like virtual machines, storage, and
networks. Examples include Amazon EC2, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines, and Google
Compute Engine. Users manage the operating systems, applications, and data while the cloud
provider manages the physical hardware.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): This model offers an environment for developers to build, test,
and deploy applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. PaaS simplifies the
development process by providing tools, libraries, and services that streamline coding and
deployment. Examples include Google App Engine, Heroku, and Microsoft Azure App Services.

Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS delivers software applications via the internet, typically
through a browser. Users do not need to install or maintain the software; they simply subscribe to
or access it online. Examples include Gmail, Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Dropbox.

Each service model provides different levels of control, flexibility, and management, allowing
organizations to choose the model that best fits their needs.
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1.3 CLOUD DEPLOYMENT MODELS

There are several ways to deploy cloud computing based on an organization’s needs, security
requirements, and budget:

Public Cloud: The public cloud is owned and operated by third-party cloud providers and made
available to the general public. Resources are shared among multiple customers. This model
offers cost-effectiveness and scalability, making it ideal for startups and small businesses.

Private Cloud: A private cloud is used exclusively by one organization. It can be hosted
on-premises or by a third party. Private clouds offer greater control and security, making them
suitable for organizations with strict compliance requirements.

Hybrid Cloud: Hybrid cloud combines public and private cloud environments, allowing data
and applications to be shared between them. This model provides greater flexibility and enables
organizations to balance workloads and security needs effectively.

Community Cloud: A community cloud is shared among several organizations with common
concerns such as compliance, security, or mission objectives. It may be managed internally or by
a third party.

1.4 CLOUD ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of cloud computing refers to the components and sub-components required for
cloud services. It includes both front-end and back-end systems.

Front-End Architecture: This includes the interfaces and applications that users interact with. It
consists of web browsers, mobile applications, client devices, and network connections. The
front end allows users to connect to the cloud and access services.

Back-End Architecture: The back end comprises the core components of cloud infrastructure
— servers, data storage, databases, load balancers, firewalls, hypervisors, and software. It is
responsible for data processing, security, traffic management, and overall service delivery. The
cloud provider manages the back-end infrastructure to ensure reliability and performance.
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1.5 KEY COMPONENTS OF CLOUD ARCHITECTURE

Virtualization: This allows multiple operating systems and applications to run on a single
physical machine by creating virtual machines (VMs). It increases resource utilization and
provides isolation between environments.

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): SOA is a design pattern where services are modular,
reusable, and loosely coupled. It helps in building scalable and maintainable cloud applications.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): APIs enable communication between different

Load Balancing: Load balancers distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers to ensure no
single server is overwhelmed. This helps maintain high availability and performance.

Security and Compliance: Security in cloud architecture includes encryption, identity

1.6 BENEFITS OF CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing offers several benefits that have contributed to its rapid adoption across various
industries:

Cost Savings: Organizations do not need to invest in expensive hardware and software. They
can reduce operational costs by paying only for the resources they use.

Scalability and Flexibility: Businesses can easily scale resources up or down based on demand.
This is especially useful for handling fluctuating workloads.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Cloud services provide robust backup and disaster
recovery options, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss.

Automatic Updates: Cloud service providers handle system updates and maintenance, reducing
the burden on internal IT teams.

Improved Collaboration: Cloud computing enables real-time collaboration among team

1.7 CHALLENGES IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Despite its advantages, cloud computing comes with certain challenges that organizations must
address:

Security and Privacy Concerns: Data stored in the cloud is susceptible to cyberattacks if not
properly secured. Organizations must ensure encryption, access control, and compliance with
privacy laws.

Downtime and Reliability: Although rare, outages in cloud services can disrupt business
operations. It is crucial to have service-level agreements (SLAs) and backup plans.

Vendor Lock-In: Moving services from one provider to another can be complex and costly.
Organizations must design their architecture to minimize dependency on a single vendor.

Compliance and Legal Issues: Different regions have different data protection laws. Businesses
must ensure that their cloud operations comply with relevant regulations.

1.8 CONCLUSION

Cloud computing and its architecture have revolutionized how we interact with
technology, offering a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective way to manage IT services. As
organizations continue to move toward digital transformation, the demand for cloud-based
solutions is expected to grow even further. Understanding the fundamentals of cloud computing,
including its characteristics, service and deployment models, and architectural components, is
essential for IT professionals and businesses aiming to stay competitive in today’s fast-evolving
technological landscape. While the journey to the cloud presents certain challenges, the benefits
it offers make it a cornerstone of modern computing.