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Cloud Concepts

Updated Feb 28, 2020 ·

Overview​

Cloud computing is a rapidly growing technology that many organizations are adopting for its significant business and technical advantages. It transforms how companies operate by offering scalable, on-demand resources for computing, storage, databases, and networking.

Under the Hood​

Cloud computing is built on technologies like virtualization, which has been used in on-premise data centers for years.

Virtualization​

Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server, each with its own operating system and applications. These VMs share hardware resources without affecting each other, thanks to the hypervisor.

For more details, see Virtualization.

Hypervisor​

A hypervisor is software that creates and manages the virtual environment, sitting between the physical server and the VMs. It ensures hardware resources are shared and allocated efficiently among VMs.

  • Reduced capital costs by provisioning multiple VMs on one host
  • Fewer hardware requirements, lowering operating expenses
  • Reduced space, power, and cooling needs in data centers

This optimization of resources in a cloud environment means everyone can benefit from virtualization, from the cloud vendor to the consumer.

Cloud Resources​

Instances​

A virtual machine (VM) in the public cloud is often called an instance, though the term varies by vendor. It refers to the same concept as a traditional VM.

Compute objects (Instances) are the processing power for your applications and services, similar to servers with CPUs and RAM in on-premises environments.

Storage​

Storage resources in the cloud allow you to save and store data. In traditional environments, this includes:

  • Server hard disks
  • Network-attached storage (NAS) for file-level shared storage
  • Storage area networks (SAN) for block-level, high-speed storage

Database​

Database resources store structured data used by applications. Common database engines in traditional data centers include:

  • SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • MySQL

Cloud databases offer various engines and types to fit different needs. Network resources handle connectivity, linking compute, storage, and databases, much like routers and switches in on-premises setups.

Key Cloud Concepts​

Cloud computing offers several key characteristics that make it a powerful and flexible service.

  • On-demand Resourcing

    • Cloud resources are available almost instantly when you need them.
      • You no longer have to wait for hardware to be ordered, installed, and configured.

  • Scalability

    • Cloud computing allows you to quickly adjust your resources up or down based on demand.
      • Scaling up and down: Changes the power and performance of individual instances.
      • Scaling in and out: Adds or removes instances to adjust your compute resources.

  • Economy of Scale

    • Cloud services leverage shared resources across many organizations.
      • This leads to lower costs for end users compared to traditional hosting.

  • Flexibility and Elasticity

    • You can easily customize your cloud environment, choosing the amount and duration of resources you need.
    • This flexibility allows you to tailor your setup precisely to your requirements.

  • Growth

    • Cloud computing supports organizational growth by offering a wide range of resources and global reach.
      • On-demand provisioning reduces growth constraints compared to traditional on-premise setups.

  • Utility-based Metering

    • "Pay for What You Use"
    • With cloud services, you pay only for the resources you actually use.
    • For example, if an instance runs for two hours, you only pay for those two hours.
    • It's similar to paying for electricity only when it's used.

  • Shared Infrastructure

    • Cloud environments are virtualized, allowing multiple tenants to share the same hardware.
      • This reduces physical hardware needs and related costs for power, cooling, and space.

  • Highly Available

    • Core cloud services are often replicated across multiple geographic regions, enhancing data durability and availability without extra configuration from you.

  • Security

    • Cloud vendors like AWS and Microsoft Azure often offer higher security standards than typical data centers.
      • They adhere to global compliance standards and provide robust infrastructure security, while you are responsible for securing your cloud-based applications and data.