Introduction to Cloud Computing

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Objectives

By the end of this train you should be able to:

- Define cloud computing.

- Identify various competitors within the cloud
industry.
- Understand the various applications of cloud
computing and service models.
- Differentiate between the different types of
deployment models.
- Gain understanding about the trade-off
between cloud computing and local IT
infrastructure.
- Be aware of some of the concerns associated
with cloud security.

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Outline

This train is structured as follows:

- An introduction to cloud computing and a brief

look into its history.
- Heavy weights in the cloud industry.
- Service models in cloud computing.
- Real world applications of cloud computing.
- Types of cloud computing - Deployment
models.
- The trade-off between cloud computing and
local IT infrastructure.
- Concerns around cloud security.

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An introduction to cloud computing

Defining the cloud and cloud computing

What is the cloud?
The cloud is actually just a whole bunch of computers that are
kept in massive data centres around the world that can be
accessed over the internet. When you are using the cloud, your
data is not being stored magically in thin air, they’re simply being
stored on a server (or rather multiple servers) somewhere else in
the world. This is why a user can log into their Instagram account
on a new phone after their old phone breaks and still access all
their photos, videos, and conversation history.

What is cloud computing and why is it being used?

Cloud computing is defined as the use of hardware and software
resources and services delivered via the internet (“the cloud”). So
why use the cloud, well the cloud delivers these highly sought
after services and resources in a cost effective, innovative and
secure manner

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An introduction to cloud computing

In this train we will EXPLORE the services and deployment models offered by cloud computing

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An introduction to cloud computing

A glimpse into the history of cloud computing

The term “cloud computing” was first introduced in 1996

within American computer company Compaq internal
documentation. However the concept of
computing-as-a-service dates back to the 1960’s when
companies would rent out time on a mainframe from
computer bureaus to alleviate the burden of having to buy
one for themselves. These services were soon overtaken by the
affordable price of PCs, but the concept of “renting out
computing power” resurfaced again in the 1990s and 2000s.

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An introduction to cloud computing

A timeline of the major milestones in the history of cloud computing

Amazon launched its Microsoft launched its

Amazon Web Services. cloud computing
Created with the aim of platform Azure. Azure
delivering a suite of was built to support the
cloud-based computing streamlined
services with a pay as development of mobile
you use service. apps over the web.

1999 2006 2008 2010 2011

The launch of Google launched its IBM launched
Salesforce.com. It Google App Engine. SmartCloud, a line of
quickly became a Platform-as-a-Service enterprise-class cloud
pioneer in delivering (PaaS), allowing computing technologies
enterprise applications developers to host web for building private,
via the cloud (now applications in its public and hybrid
known as SaaS) managed data centres. clouds.

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Heavy weights in the cloud industry

Next we will take a look at some of the companies that are transforming the cloud industry
There is an ongoing competitive match amongst
heavyweight contenders Amazon, Google and Microsoft for
the lead spot in cloud computing. Each of these tech giants
provide a myriad of essential cloud services and are in a
constant battle to undercut the other in terms of price and
offerings.

So how do you select the best cloud service provider? Well

the first step would be to understand your specific needs and
requirements. Although there is no straight path to selecting
a cloud service provider there are guidelines that can help you
to make the right choice and back the right contender !

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Cloud computing services

There are 3 types of cloud computing services, each of these services is represented in the
diagram below.

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Cloud computing services

A deeper look into the top three cloud computing services.

Iaas Paas Saas

Infrastructure as a Service Platform as a Service Software as a Service

-Provides access to storage, -Provides cloud environment to - Cloud computing service that
networking, servers and other enable development, testing, provides software applications over
computing resources in the cloud on management and delivery of the internet, on demand and
a pay as you go service. applications. typically on a subscription basis.
- Infrastructure is scaled based on -Providers manage security, - Eliminates requirements of
storage requirements. operating systems, server software installing, upgrading or managing
- Saves cost by eliminating the need and backups. software on local devices.
to buy and maintain own hardware. - Facilitates collaborative work even - Secure storage of data, preventing
- Provides virtualized computing in remote settings. loss of data due to equipment
resources over the Internet hosted - Emphasises focus on development failure.
by a third party such as Google, eliminating underlying - Resources can be effortlessly scaled
Amazon Web Service and Microsoft infrastructure issues that may arise. up based on service needs.
Azure.

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Real world applications of cloud computing

Real world applications made possible by cloud computing

● Cloud storage - offers storage, Ex: Google drive,

Dropbox and box.
● Healthcare - cloud computing let’s nurses, physicians,
and administrators share information quickly from
anywhere cost effectively, Ex: ClearData, IBM cloud
● Disaster recovery - allows for the storage and recovery
of data using a remote cloud-based platform.
● Access to file converters - software used to convert
different file formats and can be accessed directly from
the cloud, Ex: CloudConvert
● Big data analysis - due to the storage facility offered by
cloud, users can perform big data analysis to generate
insight and extract business value from data.

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Types of cloud computing

Defining a cloud deployment model.

A cloud deployment model represents a

specific type of cloud environment, primarily
distinguished by ownership, storage size,
infrastructure and accessibility. There are four
main cloud deployment models.

In the next few slides we will EXPLORE each of the four deployment models in cloud computing

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Types of cloud computing

Features of Public and Private cloud models

Private cloud Public cloud

● Is a popular cloud model which offers ● The cloud resources are owned and
services via the internet or a private operated by a third-party cloud service
internal network to a select group of provider and delivered over the internet
users instead of the general public. which is available to the general public.

● Benefits include - self service, ● Cloud resources are shared among

scalability, elasticity, with additional organisation or “tenants” who have
control and customisation available. access to the same hardware, storage
and network devices.
● A selected group of users are granted
access to the information kept in the ● Some frequent uses include provision
repository, resulting in higher security of web-based email, online office
and privacy as information is not applications and storage.
accessible to third party providers.
● Benefits include- low costs, no
maintenance and high reliability.

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Types of cloud computing

Features of Community and Hybrid cloud models

Community cloud Hybrid cloud

● Access to this cloud is granted to ● This model encompasses on-premises

selected users, however, instead of one infrastructure or a private cloud -with a
company having sole ownership of the public cloud allowing data and apps to
cloud server, the cloud resources and move between the two environments
infrastructure is shared amongst
several organisations with similar ● Benefits include - high flexibility, more
backgrounds. deployment options, security, cost
effective, compliance and higher value
● Benefits include - cost reduction as extracted from existing infrastructure.
costs are shared, improved security,
reliability and privacy. ● Allows companies to only pay for
resources they temporarily use instead
● This model facilitates project of having to purchase programs, and
development, management and maintain additional resources and
implementation. equipment that could turn redundant
over time.

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Why use cloud services instead of traditional infrastructure?

The trade-off between using cloud computing and local IT infrastructure

Prior to the advent of cloud services, companies could only think of
their computing infrastructure in terms of fixed hardware
installations which, amongst other things, were:

● Static - Hardware stacks have fixed storage, compute, and

networking capacity. They also have to be bought upfront as a
capital expense, which can be a considerable cost!

● Difficult to maintain - Managing onsite infrastructure requires

many specialised roles including facility management, system
administration, network engineering, and system technicians.

● Inefficient - Unless coordinated perfectly, onsite hardware is

either under or over utilised at any time during the day; wasting
productivity during peak traffic periods or financial resources
during activity lulls.

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Why use cloud services instead of traditional infrastructure?

The trade-off between using cloud computing and local IT infrastructure

Using cloud services there are five distinct advantages over traditional fixed hardware installations:

No maintenance costs. Provide instant

Trade Capital (upfront) Significantly cheaper Dynamic, on demand
global reach
expenses for Variable (as per unit of compute resources, which
you use) expenses power elastically scale to
need.

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Concerns around cloud security

Security concerns associated with cloud computing

Is the cloud safe?

The answer to this is, if you educate yourself with some good practices,
this is a definite Yes.

The good news is that we have some pretty large companies investing
huge amounts of time and money into keeping the cloud safe
through things like encryption and multi-factor authentication.

Some concerns include:

- Misconfigurations of cloud security settings.
- Hijacking of accounts associated with weak password security.
- Malicious insiders who may have access to an organisations network
and sensitive information.

You can learn more about cloud security here.

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Conclusion

In this train we were introduced to cloud computing and its history. We learnt about the
three major cloud providers.

We also explored the different services and applications of cloud computing and the four
different deployment models that make up cloud computing.

We went on to look at the trade-off between cloud computing and local traditional
infrastructure and finally explored the security concerns associated with cloud computing.

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Appendix

Useful resources that you can use to learn more about cloud computing
● Deployment models
● 15 cloud security, concerns, threats and issues
● The three types of cloud computing services

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