Cloud Basics

N.I.S.T Definition of Cloud Computing

“Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications , and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

1. On-Demand Self-Service:        refers to the cloud service(s) provided that enables the provision of cloud resource on demand (ie. Whenever and wherever they are required)
2. Broad Network Access:         Cloud d by its nature is an “ALWAYS ON’ and ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE’ offering for user to have widespread access to resource data, and other assets.   Think convenience –access what you want, when you need it, from any location.
3. Resource Pooling:      Resource pooling lies at the heat of all that is good with cloud computing.   What cloud looks to do is to group (pool) resource for use across the user landscape or multiple clients, which can then scan and adjusted to the user or client’s needs, based on their workload or resource requirements.
4. Rapid Elasticity:        allows the user to obtain additional resources, storage, computer power, etc, as the user’s need or workload requires.   This is more often ‘TRANSPARENT’ to the user with more resource added as necessary in seamless manner. “PAY per USE” concept, you pay for what you use.
5. Measured Service:       Cloud computing offers a unique and important component that traditional IT deployments have struggled to provide resource usage can be measured, controlled, reported, and altered upon which result in multiple benefits and overall transparency between the provider and client.

Infrastructure as a Servicer (IaaS)

According to NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, in IaaS, “ the capability provide to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, network, and other fundaments computing resource where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating system and application.   The consume does not mange or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over Operating systems, storage, and deployed applications: and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g. Host firewalls)”

Platform as a Service (PaaS) also known as CloudOS

According to NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, in PaaS, “ the capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-create or acquired application created using programming languages, libraries, service and tools supported by provider. The consumer does not mange or control the underling cloud infrastructure, including network, servers, operating systems or storage, but has control over the deployed application and possibly configuration setting for the application-hosting environment.”

Software as a Service (SaaS)

According to NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, in, “The capability provided to the consume is to use the provider’s application running on a cloud infrastructure. The application are accessible from various client interface, such as web browser (e.g., web-based email) or a program interface. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration setting.”