Unit 1

Cloud Computing Fundamentals

1..Cloud Computing -

“Cloud computing refers to the delivery of on-demand computing resources, such as

storage, processing power, and applications, over the internet.”

➢ It allows users to access these resources from any

location and on any device without having to
manage the underlying infrastructure.
➢ Cloud computing eliminates the need for
organizations to maintain their own physical
servers, reducing costs and increasing scalability.
➢ It also enables flexibility and agility, as
computing resources can be rapidly scaled up or
down based on demand.
➢ Cloud computing is commonly used for various
purposes, including data storage and backup,
software development, data analysis, and hosting
websites and applications.

2. Types of cloud - Cloud computing can either be classified based on the deployment model or the
type of service :-

2.1 Based on Deployment - Cloud computing can be categorized based on deployment into three
main types:

1. Public cloud: Services are provided over the public internet and are available to anyone who
wants to use or purchase them. The infrastructure and resources are owned and operated by a third-
party cloud service provider.
2. Private cloud: The cloud infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization and is operated
solely for that organization. It can be managed by the organization itself or a third party, and it can
be located on-premises or off-premises.

3. Hybrid cloud: This type combines public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to
be shared between them. It provides greater flexibility and deployment options, allowing
organizations to utilize the benefits of both public and private cloud environments.

2.2 Based on Service Model - Cloud computing types based on service models are:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet,
such as virtual machines and storage.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and
manage applications without dealing with the complexity of infrastructure.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS): Allows users to access and use software applications over the
internet on a subscription basis, without having to install or maintain the software.

3. Cloud services Benefits

1. Cost savings: Using cloud computing services can significantly reduce hardware and
infrastructure costs. Organizations can avoid the upfront investments in servers, storage, and
network equipment because cloud providers operate on a pay-as-you-go model.
2. Scalability and flexibility: Cloud services allow organizations to easily scale up or down
their computing resources based on demand. This flexibility ensures that businesses have the
computing power they need when they need it, without wasting resources during idle
periods.
3. Increased collaboration and productivity: Cloud computing services provide employees
with access to files and applications from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an
 internet connection. This enables teams to collaborate on projects more effectively and
improves overall productivity.
4. Improved data backup and disaster recovery: Cloud providers typically have robust
backup and disaster recovery mechanisms in place. Data is stored in multiple locations,
reducing the risk of data loss due to hardware failure or natural disasters. Furthermore, cloud
services usually offer automated backups, making it easier to recover data in case of
accidental deletion or corruption.
5. Enhanced security: Cloud providers invest heavily in cybersecurity measures to protect
their infrastructure and customer data. They typically have dedicated security teams, employ
encryption techniques, and regularly update their systems to address new threats. This level
of security is often superior to what organizations can achieve on their own.
6. Software updates and maintenance: With cloud services, providers take care of software
updates and maintenance tasks, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. This
ensures that applications are always up to date and secure, without requiring additional
efforts from the organization.
7. Global availability: Cloud computing services are accessible from anywhere in the world,
as long as there is an internet connection available. This makes it easier for businesses to
expand their operations globally and provide services to customers in different regions
without investing in additional infrastructure.
8. Green computing: Cloud computing can be more environmentally friendly compared to
traditional on-premises infrastructure. Cloud providers usually operate large-scale data
centers that are more energy-efficient and can achieve higher utilization rates, resulting in
reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint.

4. Challenges of cloud computing

Some of the challenges of cloud computing include:

1. Security and privacy: Storing data on remote servers can make it vulnerable to hacking and
unauthorized access. There is also a concern about the privacy of data and how it is handled
by cloud service providers.
2. Downtime and reliability: Cloud service providers may face technical issues or outages,
leading to downtime for users. This can disrupt business operations and cause financial
losses.
3. Data transfer and bandwidth: Uploading and downloading large amounts of data to and
from the cloud can be time-consuming and require high-speed internet connections. The
availability and cost of bandwidth can also be a challenge, especially for businesses in
remote areas.
4. Vendor lock-in: Once a business adopts a particular cloud service provider, it can be
difficult and costly to switch to another provider. This may limit flexibility and hinder the
ability to take advantage of new technologies or cost-saving options.
 5. Compliance and legal issues: Depending on the industry and location, businesses may need
to comply with specific regulations and legal requirements regarding data storage and
management. Cloud computing introduces complexities in meeting these requirements,
especially if data is stored in different locations or countries.
6. Cost management: While cloud computing can offer cost savings by reducing the need for
physical infrastructure and reducing IT support costs, it can also be challenging to accurately
predict and manage ongoing costs. Usage-based pricing models can make it difficult to
estimate monthly expenses.
7. Limited control: When using cloud services, businesses have less control over their
infrastructure, software, and data. This can pose challenges in terms of customization,
integration with existing systems, and performance optimization.
8. Data migration and interoperability: Moving existing applications or data to the cloud can
be complex and time-consuming. Compatibility and interoperability issues may arise when
migrating from on-premises systems to the cloud or between different cloud providers.
9. Data loss and recovery: Despite the redundancy and backup mechanisms implemented by
cloud service providers, there is always a risk of data loss. It is crucial for businesses to have
reliable backup and recovery plans to mitigate the impact of potential data loss.
10.Technical expertise: Adopting cloud computing requires an understanding of the
underlying technologies and systems. Organizations may need to invest in training or hire
skilled professionals to effectively manage and utilize cloud services.

5. Evolution of Cloud Computing - The evolution of cloud computing can be traced back to the
1960s, with the concept of time-sharing. This allowed multiple users to access a single mainframe
computer at the same time, effectively sharing its resources. However, it was not until the late 1990s
and early 2000s that cloud computing as we know it today began to take shape.

1. On-Demand Computing: The concept of on-demand computing emerged in the late 1990s,
with companies like Salesforce.com offering software applications over the internet on a
subscription basis. This marked the beginning of cloud-based services and paved the way for
the development of the cloud computing model.
2. Virtualization: Virtualization technology played a crucial role in the evolution of cloud
computing. As virtualization became more widely adopted in the early 2000s, it allowed for
the efficient utilization of hardware resources and the creation of virtual machines (VMs).
This enabled the hosting of multiple applications and services on a single physical server,
leading to increased scalability and flexibility.
3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The introduction of IaaS in the mid-2000s
revolutionized cloud computing. IaaS providers offered virtualized infrastructure resources,
such as servers, storage, and networking, as a service. This allowed organizations to offload
their infrastructure management responsibilities to the cloud, reducing costs and improving
operational efficiency.
 4. Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS emerged as a cloud computing offering in the late
2000s. PaaS providers offered a complete development and deployment platform for
building and hosting applications. This abstracted away the underlying infrastructure and
provided developers with ready-made tools and frameworks to build and deploy their
applications more quickly and easily.
5. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS has become one of the most widespread cloud
computing services. It enables users to access software applications over the internet on a
pay-as-you-go basis. SaaS providers take care of all maintenance, updates, and
infrastructure, allowing organizations to focus on using the software rather than managing it.
6. Hybrid and Multi-Cloud: The evolution of cloud computing also saw the rise of hybrid
and multi-cloud environments. Hybrid cloud refers to a combination of on-premises
infrastructure and public or private cloud services. Multi-cloud involves using services from
multiple cloud providers. These approaches offer organizations greater flexibility, scalability,
and resilience by leveraging the best features of different cloud environments.
7. Edge Computing: The recent development in cloud computing is edge computing. It
focuses on processing data near the edge of the network, closer to where data is generated.
Edge computing aims to reduce latency and bandwidth requirements by performing
computation and storage closer to the source of the data, enabling real-time decision-making
and faster response times.
Overall, the evolution of cloud computing has brought about significant advancements in
scalability, flexibility, cost-saving, and accessibility, revolutionizing the way organizations deploy
and manage their IT infrastructure and services.

6. NIST architecture of cloud computing

NIST Cloud Computing reference architecture defines five major performers:
• Cloud Provider
• Cloud Carrier
• Cloud Broker
• Cloud Auditor
• Cloud Consumer
Each performer is an object (a person or an organization) that contributes to a transaction or method
and/or performs tasks in Cloud computing. There are five major actors defined in the NIST cloud
computing reference architecture, which are described below:

1. Cloud Service Providers: A group or object that delivers cloud services to cloud consumers or
end-users. It offers various components of cloud computing. Cloud computing consumers purchase
a growing variety of cloud services from cloud service providers. There are various categories of
cloud-based services mentioned below:
• IaaS Providers: In this model, the cloud service providers offer infrastructure components
that would exist in an on-premises data center. These components consist of servers,
networking, and storage as well as the virtualization layer.
 • SaaS Providers: In Software as a Service (SaaS), vendors provide a wide sequence of
business technologies, such as Human resources management (HRM) software, customer
relationship management (CRM) software, all of which the SaaS vendor hosts and provides
services through the internet.
• PaaS Providers: In Platform as a Service (PaaS), vendors offer cloud infrastructure and
services that can access to perform many functions. In PaaS, services and products are
mostly utilized in software development. PaaS providers offer more services than IaaS
providers. PaaS providers provide operating system and middleware along with application
stack, to the underlying infrastructure.

2. Cloud Carrier: The mediator who provides offers connectivity and transport of cloud services
within cloud service providers and cloud consumers. It allows access to the services of the cloud
through Internet networks, telecommunication, and other access devices. Network and telecom
carriers or a transport agent can provide distribution. A consistent level of services is provided when
cloud providers set up Service Level Agreements (SLA) with a cloud carrier. In general, Carrier
may be required to offer dedicated and encrypted connections.
3. Cloud Broker: An organization or a unit that manages the performance, use, and delivery of
cloud services by enhancing specific capability and offers value-added services to cloud consumers.
It combines and integrates various services into one or more new services. They provide service
arbitrage which allows flexibility and opportunistic choices. There are major three services offered
by a cloud broker:
• Service Intermediation.
• Service Aggregation.
• Service Arbitrage.
4. Cloud Auditor: An entity that can conduct independent assessment of cloud services, security,
performance, and information system operations of the cloud implementations. The services that are
provided by Cloud Service Providers (CSP) can be evaluated by service auditors in terms of privacy
impact, security control, and performance, etc. Cloud Auditor can make an assessment of the
security controls in the information system to determine the extent to which the controls are
implemented correctly, operating as planned and constructing the desired outcome with respect to
meeting the security necessities for the system. There are three major roles of Cloud Auditor which
are mentioned below:
• Security Audit.
• Privacy Impact Audit.
• Performance Audit.
5. Cloud Consumer: A cloud consumer is the end-user who browses or utilizes the services
provided by Cloud Service Providers (CSP), sets up service contracts with the cloud provider. The
cloud consumer pays per use of the service provisioned. Measured services utilized by the
consumer. In this, a set of organizations having mutual regulatory constraints performs a security
and risk assessment for each use case of Cloud migrations and deployments.
Cloud consumers use Service-Level Agreement (SLAs) to specify the technical performance
requirements to be fulfilled by a cloud provider. SLAs can cover terms concerning the quality of
service, security, and remedies for performance failures. A cloud provider may also list in the SLAs
a set of limitations or boundaries, and obligations that cloud consumers must accept. In a mature
market environment, a cloud consumer can freely pick a cloud provider with better pricing and
more favourable terms. Typically, a cloud provider’s public pricing policy and SLAs are non-
negotiable, although a cloud consumer who assumes to have substantial usage might be able to
negotiate for better contracts.

7.Applications cloud computing

Cloud computing has a wide range of applications across various industries. Some of the common
applications of cloud computing include:
1. Data Storage and Backup: Cloud computing allows organizations to store and backup their
data securely in the cloud, eliminating the need for physical storage infrastructure. This
ensures easy access to data from anywhere, anytime.
2. Software Development and Testing: Developers can use cloud platforms to develop, test,
and deploy applications without requiring extensive hardware and infrastructure setup.
Cloud-based development platforms provide scalability and flexibility, enabling developers
to collaborate and work remotely.
3. Data Analytics and Big Data Processing: Cloud computing provides the required
infrastructure and computing power to process and analyze large volumes of data.
Organizations can leverage cloud-based analytics services to gain insights from data quickly
and efficiently.
4. Web and Mobile Applications: Cloud platforms offer scalable infrastructure for hosting
web and mobile applications. This eliminates the need for organizations to invest heavily in
server infrastructure and allows them to scale their applications based on demand.
5. Collaboration and Communication: Cloud-based collaboration tools and platforms enable
teams to work together, share files, and communicate seamlessly. This helps in improving
productivity and streamlining workflows across different locations.
 6. Internet of Things (IoT): Cloud computing enables IoT devices to connect, store, and
analyze data collected from various sources. Cloud platforms provide the necessary
infrastructure to process and derive insights from IoT-generated data.
7. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Cloud-based VDI allows users to access their
desktop environment remotely, eliminating the need for physical hardware. This enhances
flexibility and mobility while reducing costs and management complexities.
8. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Cloud computing provides the
required computing power and resources for training and deploying AI and ML models.
Cloud-based AI services make it easier for organizations to leverage AI capabilities without
extensive infrastructure setup.
9. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Cloud-based disaster recovery solutions
allow organizations to replicate and store critical data and applications in the cloud. This
ensures quick recovery and business continuity in the event of a disaster.
10.Video and Media Streaming: Cloud computing provides the necessary infrastructure to
host and stream large volumes of video and media content. Cloud-based media services
enable organizations to deliver high-quality streaming experiences to a global audience.
These are just a few examples of how cloud computing is applied in various industries. The
versatility and scalability of cloud computing make it suitable for diverse applications and help
organizations leverage the benefits of improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and agility.

8. Business models around Cloud

There are several business models that revolve around cloud computing and the use of cloud
services. Some of the most common business models include:
1. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): In this model, companies offer their software applications
through the cloud, allowing users to access and use the software over the internet. This
eliminates the need for users to install and maintain the software on their own devices,
making it more convenient and cost-effective.
2. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): With this model, businesses provide virtualized
computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, through the cloud.
Customers can rent and configure these resources to build or run their own applications,
without the need to invest in physical infrastructure.
3. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): PaaS providers offer a development platform in the cloud,
which includes tools, frameworks, and infrastructure to build, test, and deploy applications.
This allows businesses to focus on developing and deploying their applications without
worrying about infrastructure management.
4. Cloud Storage: Companies can provide cloud storage services where users can store and
access their data from anywhere. These services are typically subscription-based and offer
flexibility, scalability, and backup features.
5. Cloud Security: With the increasing adoption of cloud services, there is a growing demand
for cloud security solutions. Companies can offer services to protect cloud infrastructure and
applications from threats such as data breaches, malware, and unauthorized access.
 6. Cloud Consulting and Managed Services: Many businesses require assistance in
migrating to the cloud, optimizing their cloud infrastructure, or managing their cloud
services. Cloud consulting and managed service providers offer expertise and support to
help businesses navigate the complexities of cloud computing.
7. Cloud Integration and Middleware: As more applications and systems are moving to the
cloud, there is a need for solutions that can integrate and connect different cloud services or
bridge the gap between cloud-based and on-premises systems. Businesses can offer cloud
integration platforms or middleware services to facilitate seamless data integration and
workflow automation.
8. Cloud Analytics: With the vast amount of data generated in the cloud, there is a need for
analytics solutions that can derive insights and drive business decision-making. Cloud
analytics providers offer tools and services to analyze and visualize cloud data, enabling
businesses to gain actionable insights.
These are just a few examples of business models around cloud computing. The flexibility and
scalability of cloud services have opened up a wide range of opportunities for companies to
innovate and provide value-added services to businesses and end-users.

9. Major Players in Cloud Computing

9.1 Eucalyptus -Eucalyptus is an open-source software platform for implementing Infrastructure as

a Service (IaaS) in private or hybrid cloud environments. It allows organizations to build their own
private cloud infrastructure that is compatible with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The name
"Eucalyptus" stands for "Elastic Utility Computing Architecture for Linking Your Programs to
Useful Systems".

➢ Eucalyptus provides a set of software components that enable the creation, management, and
orchestration of virtualized resources such as virtual machines, virtual networks, and virtual
storage.
➢ It allows users to create and manage their own virtual machines and storage volumes,
similar to how they would on AWS. Eucalyptus also provides features like auto-scaling, load
balancing, and monitoring to ensure efficiency and scalability in the cloud environment.
➢ One of the key advantages of Eucalyptus is its compatibility with AWS APIs. This means
that applications developed and deployed on AWS can easily be migrated to a Eucalyptus-
based private cloud without needing major code changes. It also allows organizations to
build a hybrid cloud environment, where they can leverage both their private cloud
infrastructure and AWS public cloud services, while maintaining compatibility and
consistency across the two.
➢ Eucalyptus is highly flexible and can be customized and extended to meet the specific needs
of an organization. It supports multiple hypervisors such as Xen, KVM, and VMware, and
can integrate with existing infrastructure and management tools. Eucalyptus also provides a
web-based management console and command-line tools for users to easily manage their
cloud resources.
Overall, Eucalyptus is a powerful and customizable open-source platform for implementing private
or hybrid cloud computing environments. It combines the scalability and flexibility of AWS with
the control and security of a private cloud, offering organizations the best of both worlds.

9.2 Nimbus - Nimbus is an open-source cloud computing platform that allows users to build and
manage private and hybrid cloud infrastructure. It provides Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
capabilities, enabling users to create virtual machines, manage network resources, and store and
retrieve data in a cloud environment.
Nimbus is built on top of popular virtualization technologies like Xen and
KVM, and it supports various operating systems, including Linux and Windows. It offers features
such as dynamic resource allocation, scalability, and elasticity, allowing users to easily scale their
cloud infrastructure based on their needs. Nimbus also provides tools and APIs for developers to
build applications on top of the cloud platform.

9.3 Open Nebula - OpenNebula is an open-source cloud computing platform that enables the
deployment and management of virtualized infrastructure. It provides a simple and flexible solution
for building and managing private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud environments.
➢ OpenNebula allows users to create and manage virtual machines, allocate resources, define
networking configurations, and handle storage management. It supports different
hypervisors, such as KVM, VMware, and Xen, allowing users to choose the virtualization
technology that best suits their needs.
➢ The platform offers a web-based user interface and a command-line interface for managing
and monitoring cloud resources. It also provides a rich set of APIs, facilitating the
integration with other tools and systems.
➢ OpenNebula features advanced scheduling and monitoring capabilities, enabling
administrators to optimize resource allocation and utilization. It also supports high
availability and failover mechanisms, ensuring the availability and reliability of cloud
services.
➢ OpenNebula is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for small
to medium-sized enterprises and academic institutions. It has a vibrant community and
active development, with regular updates and new features being added.
Overall, OpenNebula is a powerful and flexible cloud computing platform that provides the
necessary tools and resources for building and managing cloud infrastructures.

9.4 CloudSim - CloudSim is a simulation toolkit for modeling and simulating cloud computing
environments and services. It provides a simulation framework for evaluating various cloud
computing scenarios and policies.
CloudSim allows researchers and developers to study the behavior and
performance of different resource allocation algorithms, scheduling policies, and virtual machine
migration techniques in a controlled environment. It also enables the evaluation of various cloud
computing architectures and configurations. CloudSim supports both Infrastructure as a Service
(IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) environments.

9.5 Vmware - VMware is a company that specializes in virtualization technology for cloud
computing.
➢ VMware provides software that enables businesses to create, manage, and run virtual
machines (VMs) on a virtualized platform. This allows for increased flexibility, scalability,
and efficiency in deploying and managing IT resources in the cloud.

➢ With VMware's cloud computing solutions, businesses can allocate resources dynamically,
scale up or down as needed, and easily migrate applications and workloads between on-
premises data centers and the cloud. VMware also offers additional services like disaster
recovery, backup, and security to ensure reliable and secure cloud computing environments.

➢ VMware's cloud computing solutions are widely used by businesses of all sizes and across
various industries to streamline IT operations, reduce costs, and increase agility in adapting
to changing business needs.