DKTE TEI’s Department of CSE 1

Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services such as

servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the
internet, commonly known as “the cloud.” Instead of owning and
maintaining physical data centers or servers, organizations can rent access
to these services from cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS),
Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

This approach allows businesses to leverage vast computing power,

scale their operations, and manage workloads more efficiently without the
need for large upfront investments in hardware. Cloud computing operates
on a pay-as-you-go model, offering flexibility to users based on their needs.
It provides scalability, enabling organizations to increase or decrease their
computing resources as demand changes.

Additionally, the cloud enhances collaboration, as users can access the

same data and applications remotely from any location with internet
connectivity. This innovation has revolutionized industries by providing
cost-effective, secure, and efficient solutions for managing IT
infrastructure.

Why Is Cloud Computing Important?

Cloud computing is essential because it allows businesses to access

advanced IT infrastructure and services without the burden of maintaining
physical hardware. This reduces costs and increases operational efficiency
by enabling organizations to focus on their core business activities rather
than managing servers or data centers. Cloud platforms offer a flexible,

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

scalable environment, allowing companies to adjust resources as their

needs grow or change easily.

This adaptability is particularly valuable for startups and enterprises

that experience fluctuating workloads or rapid expansion. Additionally,
cloud computing enhances data security and disaster recovery. With built-
in redundancies and robust security measures, cloud providers ensure that
sensitive information is stored safely, protected from data breaches, and
available for recovery in case of system failures.

The ability to safeguard data across multiple locations significantly

reduces downtime and business interruptions. Cloud computing also
accelerates innovation by providing quick access to development tools and
enabling faster deployment of new services, giving organizations a
competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

- How Does Cloud Computing Function?

Cloud computing is similar to leasing IT resources and data centres via
the Internet. Rather than constructing and overseeing their IT systems,
businesses can tap into storage and software offered by a cloud service
provider. They are charged solely for their actual usage.

To better understand this concept, think of cloud computing in two parts:

the front and backend. The front end permits users to access data and
software stored in the cloud via web browsers or dedicated apps. The
back-end houses all the data on servers and computers.

- How Did Things Work Before the Cloud?

Before cloud computing, you had to install every program and manage
all your files on your device. It could quickly eat up your device's storage
and disrupt your work.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Cloud computing moved the core data infrastructure from your device
to the internet. Instead of storing everything on your device, you store
it online. Cloud computing isn't just about storage; it also handles
essential tasks like processing, streaming, and data management.

- What Are Examples of Cloud Computing?

Some cloud computing examples are:
• Education: Institutions of higher learning, such as universities and
colleges, benefit from free services like Google Apps for Education
(GAE), enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. This is particularly
valuable for students pursuing a data science course.
• Government: Governments use cloud-based IT services to provide
e-governance services to citizens, improving transaction handling
and reducing congestion bottlenecks.
• Health care: Medical professionals use cloud computing for remote
hosting of information, diagnostics, and global data sharing. This
helps faster prescriptions and updates.
• Big data analytics: Cloud computing supports data scientists in
analysing large datasets, deriving insights, and making informed
decisions.
• Business process: Cloud-based solutions like ERP, document
management, and CRM streamline business processes. Services like
Salesforce and HubSpot enhance reliability by offering data
redundancy.
• Communication: Cloud-based communication tools, including
email, calendars, and WhatsApp, rely on cloud infrastructure,
ensuring seamless data storage and access for users.
• Banking and financial services: Cloud storage is used for financial
data and tax record backups, offering security and accessibility to
customers.
• Social networking and file storage: Cloud services like Facebook,
Gmail, and Dropbox offer easy storage, backup, and synchronisation.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

- What Are the Typical Applications of Cloud Computing?

Cloud technology has numerous practical uses across different domains,
including:
Collaboration: Cloud-based tools like Microsoft 365 and Google
Workspace offer seamless cooperation internally and with clients,
enhancing productivity and benefiting those aiming to become data
analysts.
Storage: Cloud storage services like Amazon S3 and DropBox provide
secure data access from anywhere, supporting businesses and
individuals in their data analytics careers.
Database: Cloud databases offer flexibility, cost savings, and expertise,
serving as a vital resource for data analysts as they manage and analyse
data.
Web applications: Businesses rely on cloud-powered web apps to
access and share information remotely, aiding professionals in their
careers in data analytics by facilitating on-the-go communication and
collaboration.
SaaS applications: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications like
Salesforce help businesses efficiently store, organise, and automate
data, easing data management for aspiring data analysts.
Cloud technology is important for individuals pursuing a career in data
analytics. It provides a toolkit and resources that boost communication,
foster collaboration, and streamline data management.

Benefits Cloud Computing

1. Reduced costs: Maintaining IT systems requires big outlays of

capital, something that cloud helps reduce. By using the resources
provided by the cloud provider, businesses avoid the need to
purchase expensive infrastructure, substantially reducing their
expenditure. Cloud providers work on the pay-as-you-go model,

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

which means businesses only pay for the services they use, further
reducing costs.
2. Scalability: Cloud allows organizations to grow their users from
merely a few to thousands in a very short time. Depending on the
need, a business can scale their storage needs up or down, allowing
organizations to be flexible.
3. Flexibility and collaboration: Since the data on cloud can be
accessed directly via the internet, it gives employees the ability to
work from anywhere, anytime. Cloud gives you the freedom to set
up your virtual office anywhere you are. It also allows teams to work
on a project across locations by giving them access to the same files
as third-party vendors.
4. Business continuity: Cloud safely stores and protects your data in
the event of an outage or crisis. This makes it easier to resume work
once the systems are up and running again.
5. Competitive edge: Cloud takes care of various business aspects,
such as maintaining the IT infrastructure, licensing software, or
training personnel to manage your data. It, therefore, gives you an
edge over your competitors since the time and resources you invest
are minimal.

Challenges of cloud computing

The biggest challenge of cloud computing is the security concerns

associated with the technology. Although cloud service providers assure
you of implementing the best security standards and industry certifications,
there’s always a risk while storing your data on cloud.
1. Downtime:
Almost every cloud user will tell you that outages tops their list of
cloud computing challenges. At times, cloud service providers may get
overwhelmed due to the huge number of clients they provide services to

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

each day. This may lead to technical outages, due to which your
applications may temporarily experience some downtime.
2. Internet connection dependency:
A user may not be able to access the data on cloud without a good internet
connection and a compatible device. Moreover, using public Wi-Fi to access
your files could pose a threat if the right security measures are not taken.
3. Financial commitment:
Cloud providers use a pay-as-you-go pricing model. However, businesses
need to give a monthly or annual financial commitment for most
subscription plans. This needs to be factored into their operating costs.
4. Security risks:
Even if your cloud service provider promises you that they have the most
reliable security certifications, there’s always a chance of losing your data.
With hackers increasingly targeting cloud storage to gain access to sensitive
business data, this might be an even greater concern, for which the
appropriate measures need to be taken.
5. Limited access:
A user may have minimal control since the cloud service provider owns and
manages the infrastructure. The user would only be able to manage
applications and not the backend infrastructure. Crucial tasks, such as
firmware management, may not be passed to the user at all. You always
have to trust a third-party vendor to ensure security and take care of your
data.
Elasticity and Scalability in cloud

- What Is Cloud Elasticity?

• Cloud elasticity is the ability of a system to increase or decrease

computing resources on demand. It does this to meet workload
requirements for a given time. These resources include vCPU, RAM,
and network bandwidth.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

• Cloud elasticity enables you to access more resources when

necessary and release them when they are no longer needed.
• The elasticity process often needs to happen quickly. A delay in
increasing capacity could overload your system, potentially causing
service outages.
• In contrast, if you delay shrinking, some of your servers would have
little to do. But you’d still have to pay for the idle capacity, which is
a waste of your cloud budget.
• Elastic environments match resource allocation to dynamic
workloads, allowing you to take up more resources or release those
you no longer need. If the process occurs quickly or in real time, it is
called rapid elasticity.
• Public cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and
Google Cloud Platform support rapid elasticity. The quicker a cloud
service provider can allocate resources to dynamic customer
demands, the more elastic its cloud services are.

- What is Scalability in Cloud Computing?

• Scalability refers to a system’s ability to grow or contract at the
infrastructure level instead of at the resources level (elasticity).
• Here, the system uses virtualization technology to automatically
increase or decrease its capacity to handle more or less workload.
• Additionally, scaling this way enables systems to be easily expanded
or contracted as needed, without needing to replace existing
hardware or applications. The scaling happens at the software level,
not necessarily at the hardware level.
• Scalability is essential for applications that require high availability
and performance because it enables them to adapt to changing user
demands.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

 Most major cloud providers have built automatic scaling (auto-

scaling) into their infrastructure to help their customers meet their
cloud price-performance goals.

- How Does Cloud Elasticity Work?

Cloud elasticity is a dynamic process that heavily relies on cloud
monitoring tools. It allows cloud resources to scale automatically in
response to changing demand
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how cloud elasticity operates:
• Automated monitoring: Systems track performance, like CPU and
memory use, in real-time. This helps identify when adjustments are
needed.
• Setting thresholds. Thresholds for using resources are set. The
system automatically scales resources up or down when it reaches
these limits.
• Trigger-based scaling. Resources scale automatically using set
triggers. This ensures a quick response to changes in demand.
• Resource pooling and allocation. Cloud providers manage a pool
of resources that can be quickly reassigned as needed. New resources
can be added in minutes, matching capacity with demand.
• Predictive scaling and cost optimization. The system predicts
demand spikes and adjusts resources in advance. This optimizes
costs by ensuring you only pay for what you use.

- Why Is Cloud Elasticity Important? 7 Key Benefits

Cloud elasticity is not just a feature of modern cloud computing. It’s a
key aspect that lets organizations adapt quickly to market demands and
tech advances. Here are the main benefits of cloud elasticity:

1. Cost efficiency. Only pay for the resources you use. Cloud elasticity
helps prevent over-provisioning and underutilization. You only pay
for the resources your operations use.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

2. Scalability on demand. This allows for immediate adjustments in

resource levels in response to changes in demand. Whether it’s a
surge in website traffic or additional resources required for batch
processing, cloud elasticity enables the scaling up or down of
resources when needed.
3. Improved performance. Cloud elasticity dynamically adjusts
resources to ensure optimal application performance, guaranteeing
smooth app operation across different loads.
4. Enhanced customer satisfaction. Elasticity ensures consistent
service levels. It automatically allocates resources to match demand,
avoiding downtime or performance issues, thus maintaining reliable
customer service.
5. Risk mitigation. Cloud elasticity enables quick scalability. This
prevents infrastructure overload, reduces outage risks, and ensures
continuous business operations.
6. Innovation and agility. Cloud elasticity nurtures innovation. It
allows teams to try new concepts without high upfront costs. This
freedom leads to more innovation and rapid deployment of
applications to capitalize on new opportunities.
7. Resource optimization. Cloud elasticity ensures resources align
closely with actual needs. This optimizes computing, storage, and
networking, avoiding waste.

- Types Of Elasticity In Cloud Computing

Elasticity can be divided into two categories; vertical and horizontal
scalability.
1. Vertical scalability
Vertical scaling refers to increasing or decreasing a system’s power up or
down. This involves increasing or decreasing resources, such as vCPU,
memory, and network capacity in real-time to match the desired
performance level under changing loads.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

2. Horizontal scalability
On the other hand, horizontal scaling involves expanding or shrinking
existing infrastructure capacity by adding or removing existing
components. Consider the following illustration.

- Scalability Vs. Elasticity in Cloud Computing

Some quick differences between scalability and elasticity include:

Scalability Elasticity
A system’s ability to automatically
A system’s ability to automatically increase or decrease cloud resources
increase or decrease infrastructure in real time, often within each virtual
capacity over time to handle server, such as vCPU, memory, and
increased or decreased loads network bandwidth, to meet
changing workload requirements
It involves provisioning or
deprovisioning infrastructure It involves increasing or decreasing
capacity, such as increasing the computing power within a server to
number of nodes in a cluster to maintain a desired performance level
maintain a certain level of under increased or decreased load
performance under increased load (e.g. increasing memory from 2GiB
(e.g. spinning up virtual machines to 6GiB)
from 2 to 4)
Involves adjusting the amount of
Reconfigures infrastructure
computing resources within the
components without replacing
provisioned server(s) in accordance
hardware in order to expand or
to real-time user or application
release infrastructure capacity
demand
Often associated with a system’s Often about adapting to on-demand
ability to increase or decrease or real-time demand, such as a
capacity over a longer period sudden spike in website visits

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Suitable for applications and

business use cases with
Suitable for more stable and pre-
unpredictable or variable workloads
planned use cases
or fluctuating performance
requirements

Difference between Cloud Computing and Grid Computing

Cloud Computing and Grid Computing are two model in distributed

computing. They are used for different purposes and have different
architectures. Cloud Computing is the use of remote servers to store,
manage, and process data rather than using local servers while Grid
Computing can be defined as a network of computers working together to
perform a task that would rather be difficult for a single machine.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is a Client-server computing architecture. Cloud
Computing means storing and accessing the data and programs on
remote servers that are hosted on the internet instead of the computer’s
hard drive or local server. Cloud computing is also referred to as Internet-
based computing, it is a technology where the resource is provided as a
service through the Internet to the user. The stored data can be files,
images, documents, or any other storable document.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Advantages of Cloud Computing

• One of the advantages of cloud computing is scalability.
• Cloud computing provide on demand self-service.
• Cloud Computing is cost effective.
• Cloud services are accessible from anywhere with
an internet connection.
• Cloud Computing provide rapid elasticity.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
• Dependence on Internet Connectivity
• Security Concerns
• Cloud computing require constant and high speed internet.
• Users have less control over the underlying infrastructure and
configurations.
What is Grid Computing?
Grid Computing is a Distributed computing architecture. In grid computing,
resources are used in collaborative patterns, and also in grid computing,
the users do not pay for use.
Advantages of Grid Computing
• Grid Computing provide high resources utilization.
• Grid Computing allow parallel processing of task.
• Grid Computing is designed to be scalable.
Disadvantages of Grid Computing
• The software of the grid is still in the evolution stage.
• Grid computing introduce Complexity.
• Limited Flexibility
• Security Risks
Difference between Cloud Computing and Grid Computing

Cloud Computing Grid Computing

Cloud computing is a Client- While it is a Distributed computing

server computing architecture. architecture.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Cloud Computing Grid Computing

Cloud computing is a centralized While grid computing is a

executive. decentralized executive.

In cloud computing, resources While in grid computing, resources

are used in centralized pattern. are used in collaborative pattern.

It is more flexible than grid While it is less flexible than cloud

computing. computing.

In cloud computing, the users While in grid computing, the users

pay for the use. do not pay for use.

Cloud computing is a high While grid computing is a low

accessible service. accessible service.

It is highly scalable as compared While grid computing is low scalable

to grid computing. in comparison to cloud computing.

It can be accessed through While it is accessible through grid

standard web protocols. middleware.

Cloud computing is based on Grid computing is based on

service-oriented. application-oriented.

Grid computing uses service like

Cloud computing uses service
distributed computing, distributed
like IAAS, PAAS, SAAS.
pervasive, distributed information.

Difference between Cloud Computing and Cluster Computing

1. Cloud Computing:

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Cloud Computing refers to the on-demand delivery of the IT resources

especially computing power and data storage through the internet with pay
per use pricing. It generally refers to the data centres available to the users
over internet. Cloud Computing is the virtualized pool of resources. It allows
us to create, configure and customize our applications online. The user can
access any resource at anytime and anywhere without worrying about the
management and maintenance of actual resources. Cloud computing
delivers both a combination of hardware and software based computing
resources over network.
The below figure illustrates a simple architecture of Cloud Computing –

2. Cluster Computing:

Cluster computing refers to the process of sharing the computation task to

multiple computers of the cluster. The number of computers is connected
on a network and they perform a single task by forming a Cluster of
computers where the process of computing is called as cluster computing.
Cluster Computing is a high-performance computing framework which
helps in solving more complex operations more efficiently with a faster
processing speed and better data integrity. Cluster Computing is a
networking technology that performs its operations based on the principle
of distributed systems.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

The below figure illustrates a simple architecture of Cluster Computing –

Difference between Cloud Computing and Cluster Computing :

Sr.
No. Category Cloud Computing Cluster Computing

Performing a complex
Providing on demand IT
1. Goal task in a modular
resources and services.
approach.

Specific assigned
Resource Specific assigned resources are
2. resources are not
Sharing not shareable.
shareable.

In Cluster Computing
Resource In cloud computing there is
3. there is homogeneous
type heterogeneous resource type.
resource type.

Virtualization hardware and No virtualization

4. Virtualization
software resources. resources.

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

Security through node

Security through isolation can be
5. Security credential can be
achieved.
achieved.

Initial capital cost for setup is Initial capital cost for

6. Initial Cost
very low. setup is very high.

Security
7. Very low Very high
Requirement

Requires little more

8. Maintenance Requires low maintenance.
maintenance.

No hardware requirement More hardware

9. Hardware
physically. requirement physically.

10. Node OS Multiple OS runs in VM Windows, Linux

User management is centralized

User User management is
11. or decentralized to vendor/third
Management centralized.
party.

12. Scalability Allowed Limited

In Cluster Computing
In Cloud Computing User chosen
13. Architecture Cluster oriented
architecture.
architecture

Dynamic computing Tightly coupled

14. Characteristic
infrastructure/resources/services systems/resources

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

In cluster computing
Software In cloud computing application
15. application domain
Dependent domain independent software.
dependent software.

Sony PlayStation
16. Example Dropbox, Gmail
clusters

What Are the Types Of Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is categorized into different types based on infrastructure
usage, management, and deployment models. These categories are
designed to meet various business needs, from flexibility and cost efficiency
to security and control. The main types include Public, Private, Hybrid, and
Multi-Cloud environments.

In addition to these, there are emerging models such as Community,

Distributed, and Edge Cloud computing, each offering unique benefits. By
understanding these various types, businesses can tailor their cloud
strategy to optimize performance, scalability, and data security according
to their specific needs.

1. Public Cloud
A public cloud is a shared environment provided by third-party vendors like
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Multiple
organizations can access the same resources over the Internet, significantly
reducing costs. The provider manages the infrastructure, ensuring
scalability and maintenance. Public clouds offer pay-as-you-go pricing,
allowing businesses to scale resources based on demand.

While they are cost-effective and flexible, security and data control can be
concerns since multiple users share the same infrastructure. Ultimately,

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

public clouds serve as a viable solution for businesses looking to harness

cloud computing efficiently.

2. Private Cloud
A private cloud is an exclusive environment dedicated to a single
organization. It can be hosted on-premises or managed by a third-party
provider. The primary advantage of a private cloud is enhanced control and
customization, allowing businesses to tailor their environment to meet
specific security, compliance, and performance needs.

Organizations can implement their own security protocols, which is crucial

for industries with strict regulations. Although private clouds incur higher
costs due to dedicated infrastructure, they provide superior security and
operational efficiency. This makes private clouds attractive for companies
prioritizing data governance and security.

3. Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud combines both public and private cloud elements, allowing
organizations to leverage the benefits of both environments. Sensitive
workloads can be run in a private cloud while utilizing public cloud resources
for less critical applications. This flexibility enables companies to scale
operations quickly without sacrificing control.

For example, customer data may be stored privately to comply with

regulations, while marketing applications run on public infrastructure.
Hybrid clouds also support data integration and workload portability, but
managing them can be complex and may require specialized tools to ensure
seamless operation.

4. Multi-Cloud
The multi-cloud approach uses multiple cloud service providers
simultaneously to meet diverse business needs. This model allows

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Cloud Computing: Ch 1 Introduction to cloud

organizations to leverage the strengths of different platforms for cost,

performance, and geographic coverage. By distributing workloads,
companies avoid vendor lock-in and enhance reliability.
For instance, a business might use AWS for storage and Google Cloud for
machine learning tools. While this approach increases flexibility and
resilience, it also introduces complexities in management, integration, and
security. Organizations must ensure smooth operation across providers,
which can challenge compliance and governance.

5. Community Cloud
A community cloud is a shared environment among organizations with
similar interests, such as those in healthcare or education. By pooling
resources, participants can achieve cost savings while benefiting from
increased security and compliance tailored to their collective needs.
Community clouds foster collaboration, allowing organizations to share best
practices and innovations, enhancing service delivery.

These clouds typically incorporate advanced security features to meet

industry-specific regulations. However, effective governance and
management are crucial to ensure all members adhere to shared policies
and standards, making community clouds ideal for cooperative efforts.

Questions:
1. Define cloud computing and explain its importance in modern
computing.
2. Differentiate between cloud computing, grid computing, and
cluster computing.
3. Discuss the major challenges and risks associated with cloud
computing.
4. Explain the concept of scalability and elasticity in cloud
computing.
5. What are different types of cloud?

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