Cloud Computing – Complete Theory Notes
1. Overview of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to the on-demand delivery of computing services such as servers, storage, databases,
networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the internet.
Instead of owning physical infrastructure, users rent resources from cloud providers and pay only for what they
use.
2. Need for Cloud Computing
Traditional IT infrastructure requires high upfront investment, maintenance, and limited scalability.
Cloud computing provides flexibility, scalability, reduced cost, and faster innovation.
3. Evolution of Computing Paradigms
Mainframe Computing: Centralized systems used by multiple users.
Client-Server Computing: Clients request services from centralized servers.
Cluster Computing: Multiple systems working together.
Grid Computing: Distributed systems across locations.
Cloud Computing: Virtualized, internet-based resource delivery.
4. Essential Characteristics of Cloud (NIST)
On-demand self-service allows users to provision resources automatically.
Broad network access enables access through standard networks.
Resource pooling enables multi-tenant architecture.
Rapid elasticity allows dynamic scaling.
Measured service ensures usage-based billing.
5. Cloud Service Models
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides fundamental computing resources like virtual machines and
storage.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a development platform including OS, middleware, and runtime.
Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers complete applications over the internet.
Function as a Service (FaaS) executes event-driven functions without server management.
6. Cloud Deployment Models
Public Cloud is owned and operated by third-party providers.
Private Cloud is dedicated to a single organization.
Hybrid Cloud integrates public and private clouds.
Community Cloud serves organizations with common goals.
Multi-cloud uses multiple cloud providers.
7. Virtualization Technology
Virtualization enables multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical machine.
Hypervisors manage virtual machines and allocate resources.
Type 1 hypervisors run directly on hardware, while Type 2 run on host OS.
8. Containerization
Containers package applications with dependencies ensuring consistency.
They are lightweight compared to virtual machines.
Docker is a popular container platform.
Kubernetes is used for container orchestration.
9. Cloud Storage Systems
Object storage stores data as objects with metadata.
Block storage divides data into fixed-size blocks.
File storage organizes data in hierarchical files and folders.
Archive storage is used for long-term retention.
10. Cloud Networking
Virtual networks isolate cloud resources.
Subnets divide networks into segments.
Gateways enable internet access.
Load balancers distribute traffic efficiently.
CDNs cache content closer to users.
11. Scalability and Elasticity
Scalability refers to handling increased workload.
Vertical scaling adds resources to a single system.
Horizontal scaling adds multiple systems.
Elasticity automatically adjusts resources.
12. High Availability
High availability ensures minimal downtime.
Availability zones isolate failures.
Redundant architecture prevents service disruption.
13. Fault Tolerance
Fault tolerance ensures system continues operation despite failures.
Redundant components are used.
Failover mechanisms automatically switch systems.
14. Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery focuses on restoring services after failures.
Backup and restore is the simplest strategy.
Pilot light, warm standby, and active-active are advanced strategies.
15. Cloud Security Fundamentals
Security is based on shared responsibility model.
Cloud providers secure infrastructure.
Users secure data, applications, and access.
16. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM manages user identities and permissions.
Authentication verifies identity.
Authorization determines access rights.
17. Data Encryption
Encryption at rest protects stored data.
Encryption in transit protects data during transfer.
Key management services manage encryption keys.
18. Compliance and Governance
Compliance ensures regulatory requirements.
Governance defines policies and controls.
Examples include GDPR, ISO, HIPAA.
19. Monitoring and Logging
Monitoring tracks performance and health.
Logging records system events.
Alerts notify administrators of issues.
20. Serverless Computing
Serverless abstracts infrastructure management.
Users focus only on code.
Billing is per execution time.
21. Cloud Databases
Relational databases use structured schemas.
NoSQL databases support unstructured data.
Data warehouses support analytics.
22. DevOps in Cloud
DevOps integrates development and operations.
CI/CD automates build and deployment.
Infrastructure as Code automates provisioning.
23. Cost Management in Cloud
Cloud uses operational expenditure model.
Cost optimization uses right sizing.
Reserved and spot instances reduce cost.
24. Cloud Migration
Migration involves moving applications to cloud.
Strategies include rehost, refactor, replatform.
Assessment is critical before migration.
25. Emerging Cloud Trends
Edge computing processes data near source.
AI and ML services are cloud-based.
Green cloud focuses on sustainability.