Basics of Cloud Computing
What is Cloud ?
In simpler terms, imagine the cloud as a vast, virtual space where you can store files, run software, and access various services over the internet.
It’s like having a powerful computer somewhere out there on the web that you can use for tasks without needing to own or physically manage the hardware. This allows users to access data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection.
What is Cloud Computing ?
Cloud computing is a technology model that involves the delivery of computing services over the internet. Instead of owning and maintaining physical servers and infrastructure, users can access and use computing resources, applications, and storage provided by either third-party service providers (public cloud) or their own organization (private cloud) through the internet. These services are hosted in data centers located around the world.
In essence, cloud computing can involve both third-party providers (public cloud) and an organization’s internal resources (private cloud). The distinction lies in whether the computing resources are shared among multiple customers (public cloud) or dedicated to a single organization (private cloud). The flexibility of cloud computing allows organizations to choose the deployment model that best aligns with their needs and requirements.
Public Cloud:
Who Uses It: Everyone, like individuals, businesses, and organizations.
What It’s Like: Imagine a giant, shared computer space on the internet. It’s like using apps, storing files, or doing tasks on the internet that anyone can access.
Example: Think of Google Drive or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Private Cloud:
Who Uses It: One specific organization or business.
What It’s Like: Picture having your own personal, private computer space. It’s like a digital clubhouse where only you and your team have access. Others can’t just drop in.
Example: A company using its own server for all its digital needs.
Hybrid Cloud:
Who Uses It: A mix of everyone, depending on needs.
What It’s Like: It’s like having your private computer space, but sometimes you use the shared internet space too.
Example: A business storing sensitive data in its private space but using the public cloud for extra storage or specific tasks.
In a Nutshell:
Public Cloud: Shared digital space for everyone.
Private Cloud: Your own exclusive digital space.
Hybrid Cloud: Using both your private space and the shared online space when needed.
Some Vocabulary in Cloud Computing
Virtualization
Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, server, storage, or network resources.
Virtual Machine
A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It allows running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.
API (Application Programming Interface)
API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It defines how software components should interact.
Regions
Regions in cloud computing refer to geographic locations where cloud providers have data centers. Each region contains multiple data centers.
Availability Zones
Availability Zones are isolated locations within a region that have their own power, cooling, and networking. They are designed to provide high availability and fault tolerance.
Scalability
Scalability is the ability of a system to handle an increasing amount of work or its potential to be enlarged to accommodate that growth.
Elasticity
Elasticity in cloud computing refers to the ability to dynamically scale resources up or down based on demand.
Agility
Agility is the capability of quickly and easily adapting to changes. In the context of cloud computing, it involves the rapid deployment of resources and applications.
High Availability
High Availability (HA) ensures that a system or application is operational and accessible for a high percentage of time, typically 99.9% or higher.
Fault Tolerance
Fault Tolerance is the ability of a system to continue operating without interruption in the presence of hardware or software failures.
Disaster Recovery
Disaster Recovery involves the planning and processes for restoring and recovering data and systems after a natural or human-induced disaster.
Load Balancing
Load Balancing is the distribution of network traffic or computing workload across multiple servers to ensure no single server is overwhelmed.
Summarize and with Examples
What is Cloud Computing?
- Definition: Delivery of computing services (storage, processing, applications) over the internet.
- Types:
- Public Cloud: Services provided by third-party providers to multiple customers.
- Private Cloud: Services used exclusively by one organization.
- Hybrid Cloud: Combination of public and private clouds.
Types of Cloud
- Public Cloud
- Users: Individuals, businesses, organizations.
- Analogy: Shared computer space on the internet.
- Example: Google Drive, AWS.
- Private Cloud
- Users: Specific organization or business.
- Analogy: Exclusive digital clubhouse.
- Example: Company’s own servers.
- Hybrid Cloud
- Users: Combination of both public and private cloud users.
- Analogy: Using both private and shared computer spaces.
- Example: Business storing sensitive data privately and using public cloud for extra storage.
Cloud Computing Vocabulary
- Virtualization
- Definition: Creating a virtual version of something (OS, server, storage).
- Example: Multiple OS running on one physical machine.
- Virtual Machine (VM)
- Definition: Software-based emulation of a physical computer.
- Example: Running Windows on a Mac.
- API (Application Programming Interface)
- Definition: Set of rules for software applications to communicate.
- Example: Connecting a website to a payment gateway.
- Regions
- Definition: Geographic locations of cloud provider’s data centers.
- Example: AWS Region – US-East-1.
- Availability Zones
- Definition: Isolated locations within a region with independent power, cooling, and networking.
- Example: AWS Availability Zone – US-East-1a.
- Scalability
- Definition: System’s ability to handle growing workload.
- Example: Adding more servers to handle increased traffic.
- Elasticity
- Definition: Dynamic scaling of resources based on demand.
- Example: Auto-scaling web servers during peak hours.
- Agility
- Definition: Rapid deployment of resources and applications.
- Example: Quickly launching new features to meet market demand.
- High Availability (HA)
- Definition: System’s operational uptime is high (99.9%+).
- Example: Redundant servers to avoid downtime.
- Fault Tolerance
- Definition: System’s ability to continue operation despite failures.
- Example: Using backup servers.
- Disaster Recovery
- Definition: Processes for restoring systems after a disaster.
- Example: Data backup and restoration plans.
- Load Balancing
- Definition: Distributing workload across multiple servers.
- Example: Ensuring no single server is overwhelmed during high traffic.
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| Cloud Computing |
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| Cloud |
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| | Public Cloud | Private Cloud | Hybrid Cloud |
|--------------------------------------------------|
| | | | |
| Usage | Individuals | Specific Org | Mix of Both |
| Example | Google Drive | Company Server | Combined Use |
|--------------------------------------------------|
| Key Vocabulary Terms and Definitions |
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| Virtualization | Creating virtual versions (OS, server)|
| Virtual Machine| Software-based emulation of a computer|
| API | Rules for software communication |
| Regions | Geographic data center locations |
| Availability | Isolated locations within a region |
| Zones | with independent power, cooling, etc. |
| Scalability | Handling growing workload |
| Elasticity | Dynamic resource scaling |
| Agility | Rapid deployment of resources |
| High | High operational uptime (99.9%+) |
| Availability | |
| Fault | Continuing operation despite failures |
| Tolerance | |
| Disaster | Restoring systems after disaster |
| Recovery | |
| Load Balancing | Distributing workload across servers |
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