Basic Cloud Computing Interview Questions for Freshers

1. Compare Cloud and On-premise Computing.

Criteria Cloud On-premise
Initial cost Low High
Maintenance and Hassle-free Needs attention
support
Upgrade Automatic Manual
Scalability Excellent Good
Pay as you go Yes No

2. What is a Cloud?
o A cloud is a collaboration of networks, hardware, services, storage, and interfaces that
help in delivering computing as a service. It has three users: end users, business
management users, and cloud service providers.
3. What is Cloud Computing?
o It is an advanced-stage technology implemented so that the cloud provides its services
globally as per the user requirements. It provides a method to access several servers
worldwide.
4. What are some of the key features of Cloud Computing?
o Reliable
o Scalable
o Agile
o Location Independent
o Multi-tenant
5. What are the benefits of Cloud Computing?
o Data backup and storage of data
o Powerful server capabilities
o Incremented productivity
o Cost-effective and time-saving
6. Mention the layers of PaaS architecture.
o Cloud Controller
 Automatically creates virtual machines and controllers
 Deploys applications
  Connects to services
 Automatically scales up and down
o Storage Services
 Object
 NoSQL
 Relational
 Block storage
o Applications Stored in Storage Services
 Simple-to-scale applications
 Easier recovery from failure
7. What are the cloud service models?
o Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
o Platform as a Service (PaaS)
o Software as a Service (SaaS)
8. Write about Function as a Service.
o FaaS provides users with a fully functional platform where they can create, manage, and
run their applications without having to worry about maintaining the infrastructure.
9. What are the components of Windows Azure?
o Windows Azure Platform Services
 Cloud
 SQL Azure
 App Fabric: Allows fabric cloud
10. What are the main constituents of the cloud ecosystem?
o Cloud service providers
o Cloud consumers
o Direct consumers
11. Who are the cloud consumers in a cloud ecosystem?
o People and teams who use different types of cloud services, within your organization.
12. Who are the direct consumers in a cloud ecosystem?
o The individuals who utilize the service provided by your company, built within a cloud
environment.
13. Who are the Cloud service providers in a cloud ecosystem?
 o Cloud service providers are the companies that sell their cloud services to others.
Sometimes these companies also provide cloud services internally to their partners,
employees, etc.
14. What are the differences occurred in distributed operations?
o FC: Master–Slave operations
o Nova: Parallel process and its shared database
15. Which agent is equivalent of Nova Compute?
o Azure Agent
16. Mention the reliability and availability of Cloud Computing.
o Use of Fault Domains:
 Two virtual machines are in a single fault domain if a single piece of hardware
can bring down both virtual machines.
 Azure automatically distributes instances of a role across fault domains.
o Use of Upgrade Domains:
 When a new version of the software is rolled out, then only one up-gradation of
the domain is done at a time.
 It ensures that any instance of the service is always available.
o Storage and Network Availability:
 Copies of data are stored in different domains.
 It is a mechanism to guard against DoS and DDoS attacks.
17. Explain the Cloud Computing Architecture.
o Cloud Computing Architecture brings together two components of cloud computing – the
front-end and the back-end. It is important to bring the correct services together for the
benefit of both internal and external people. If need be, cloud management should be able
to quickly make the required changes.
18. What are the Cloud Storage Levels?
o Files
o Blocks
o Datasets
o Objects
19. What are the differences between the three main Cloud service models: IaaS, PaaS, and
SaaS?
 o IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service that offers networking resources, services, and storage
on-demand. Example: AWS
o PaaS: Platform as a Service that allows users to develop, run, and manage applications
offered by third parties. Example: Salesforce Lightning, AWS Lambda, etc.
o SaaS: Software as a Service that delivers applications remotely over the internet.
Example: Salesforce
20. List some of the major benefits of using Cloud Computing.
o Easy accessibility
o Centralized data security
o Cost Saving
o Automatic Software Updates
o Mobility
21. Explain the concept of a Virtual Machine (VM) and its role in Cloud Computing.
o A Virtual Machine in Cloud Computing can be understood as a virtual computer that runs
on top of a physical computer. It can store data, connect to networks, and perform other
computing functions.
22. Give examples of real-world applications of Cloud Computing.
o Online Streaming Services
o E-commerce Businesses
o Social Media Platforms
o Educational Platforms
23. What are some popular Cloud storage solutions?
o Google Drive
o Microsoft OneDrive
o Dropbox
o Amazon Drive
o iCloud Drive
Intermediate Cloud Computing Interview Questions
24. What are the serverless components in cloud computing with their advantages and
disadvantages?
o Advantages:
 Cost-effective
 Increases productivity
  Scalable
 No server management
o Disadvantages:
 Can cause late responses
 Not ideal for high-computing operations
 More vulnerable when it comes to security
 Debugging is challenging
25. Give the best example of the open-source Cloud Computing.
o OpenStack
26. What are microservices and their importance in the cloud?
o Microservices help create apps that consist of codes that are independent of one
another and the platform they were developed on.
o Importance:
 Each is built for a particular purpose, making app development simpler.
 They make changes easier and quicker.
 Their scalability makes it easier to adapt the service as needed.
27. What is an AMI? How do we implement it?
o AMI (Amazon Machine Image):
 A copy of your root file system that feeds the information required to launch
an instance.
o Implementation:
 Specify an AMI whenever launching an instance.
 Multiple instances can be launched from a single AMI with the same
configuration.
 For different configurations, different AMIs are required.
28. Why are Hybrid Clouds important?
o Cloud Bursting:
 Access capacity and specialized software available in the public cloud and not
in the private cloud.
o Examples:
 Virtual Amazon and Dynamo
o Leveraging the best of both public and private:
 Hybrid Clouds
 o vCloud:
 VMware cloud, expensive, provides enterprise quality.
o OpenStack:
 Commodity servers and storage, less reliable, suitable for running web servers
and databases built on vCloud.
29. List the platforms used for large-scale Cloud Computing.
o Apache Hadoop
o MapReduce
30. Mention the different types of models used for deployment in Cloud Computing.
o Private Cloud
o Public Cloud
o Community Cloud
o Hybrid Cloud
31. Explain security management in terms of Cloud Computing.
o Identity Management:
 Access authorization for application services.
o Access Control:
 Permission given to users for controlling access of others entering the cloud
environment.
o Authentication and Authorization:
 Permits only authorized and authenticated users to access data and
applications.
32. Which are the layers of Cloud Computing?
o CLC (Cloud Controller)
o Walrus
o Cluster Controller
o SC (Storage Controller)
o NC (Node Controller)
33. Explain the full form and usage of 'Eucalyptus' in Cloud Computing.
o Eucalyptus:
 Full Form: Elastic Utility Computing Architecture for Linking Your
Programs to Useful Systems.
  Usage: Open-source software infrastructure enabling the implementation of
clusters on the Cloud Computing platform. Used to build public, hybrid, and
private Clouds.
34. Mention the names of some large cloud providers and databases.
o Google Bigtable
o Amazon Simple Database
o Cloud-based SQL (Sequential Query Language)
35. Explain the difference between cloud and traditional data centers.
o Traditional Data Center:
 Expensive due to heating and hardware/software issues.
 Most expenditure is on maintenance.
o Cloud:
 Scaled up when demand increases, reducing expenditure issues.
36. What is meant by Edge Computing?
o Part of the distributed computing structure bringing companies closer to data sources,
providing better insights, response time, and bandwidth.
37. Describe the Cloud Computing architecture.
o Front End:
 Client-side interfaces and applications for accessing Cloud Computing
platforms.
 Examples: Web servers (Chrome, Firefox).
o Back End:
 Back-end elements include storage devices, virtual machines, security
mechanisms, etc.
 Ensures proper functioning and operation.
38. What are the different layers of cloud architecture?
o Cloud Controller:
 Interacts with end users.
 Responds to user requests.
 Monitors the system's functionality.
o Cluster Controller:
 Manages virtual machine instances.
 Provides physical resource information.
  Performs control operations.
o Node Controller:
 Manages instances of the virtual machine.
 Communicates with Cloud and Cluster Controllers.
 Provides instance information.
39. Explain different data centers deployed for Cloud Computing.
o Containerized Data Centers:
 Contain multiple servers within a shipping container.
 Offer better resources with minimum time and are cost-effective.
o Low-Density Data Centers:
 Space is left unused for future use.
 Helps maintain cooling and reduce expenditure on power.
40. Explain the importance of API in Cloud services.
o Usage of API in cloud platforms:
 Removes the need to write full programs.
 Provides instructions to make communication between one or more
applications.
 Creation of applications directly linking to the Cloud services.
 Provides user adaptation to Cloud services.
o Benefits:
 Customizable to meet user requirements.
 Provides easy linking to the Cloud services.
41. What are the business benefits involved in Cloud architecture?
o Zero infrastructure investment:
 Hardware requirement is fulfilled by the Cloud.
o Simplified Pay-per-use model:
 Helps track usage and allows paying for only what is used.
o Zero downtime:
 No downtime for major businesses.
Advanced Cloud Computing Interview Questions for Experienced
42. Explain different types of Data Centers deployed for Cloud Computing.
o Containerized Data Centers:
 Systems shipped to the desired location.
  Advantages include cost-effectiveness and rapid deployment.
o Low-Density Data Centers:
 Space is left unused for future growth.
 Helps maintain cooling and reduce power expenditure.
43. Explain cloud architecture and its key components.
o Front-end platform:
 Client-side interfaces like browsers, which interact with the cloud.
o Back-end platform:
 Includes servers, storage, network, and security features.
o Cloud-based delivery:
 Delivery of cloud services over the internet.
o Network:
 Communication between front-end and back-end platforms.
44. What do you understand by System Integrators?
o System Integrators:
 A process of joining different systems and applications together to function as
a whole.
 Cloud computing is a complicated process, requiring system integrators to
provide a uniform service.
45. Explain the importance of Virtualization in Cloud Computing.
o Virtualization:
 Allows creating a virtual version of something like hardware, software,
storage, etc.
o Importance:
 Provides a virtual environment, improving efficiency.
 Increases scalability and workload mobility.
 Reduces operational costs and time.
46. What are the different layers of Cloud architecture?
o Cloud Controller:
 Manages and maintains cloud operations.
 Coordinates resources.
o Cluster Controller:
 Manages and monitors the resources in a cluster.
  Ensures smooth operation of the cluster.
o Storage Controller:
 Manages data storage.
 Provides data management services.
o Node Controller:
 Manages the operation of individual nodes.
 Ensures the availability of node resources.
47. List down the key components of AWS.
o Route 53:
 Amazon DNS web service.
o Simple Email Service (SES):
 Amazon’s scalable email sending and receiving service.
o Identity and Access Management (IAM):
 Controls user access to AWS services.
o Simple Storage Service (S3):
 Scalable object storage for data backup, archival, and analytics.
o Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2):
 Scalable compute capacity.
o Elastic Block Store (EBS):
 Persistent block storage for EC2 instances.
o CloudWatch:
 Monitoring service for AWS cloud resources and applications.
48. Explain the different components of AWS.
o EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud):
 Virtual servers to run applications on the AWS cloud.
o S3 (Simple Storage Service):
 Object storage for data backup, archival, and analytics.
o VPC (Virtual Private Cloud):
 Isolated cloud resources within the AWS cloud.
o RDS (Relational Database Service):
 Managed relational database service.
o CloudFront:
 Content delivery network for faster content delivery.
 o IAM (Identity and Access Management):
 Access control for AWS resources.
49. What are the various applications of Cloud Computing?
o Cloud Storage:
 Store and access data over the internet.
o Big Data Analytics:
 Analyzing large datasets for insights.
o Cloud Backup:
 Secure data backup solutions.
o Disaster Recovery:
 Solutions for data recovery during disasters.
o Software Development and Testing:
 Platforms for developing and testing software.
50. Explain the different levels of Cloud Computing.
o IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service):
 Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
 Examples: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine.
o PaaS (Platform as a Service):
 Provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage
applications.
 Examples: Google App Engine, AWS Lambda.
o SaaS (Software as a Service):
 Delivers software applications over the internet.
 Examples: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365.
51. What are the advantages of using Cloud Computing over traditional data centers?
o Cost Savings:
 Lower hardware and maintenance costs.
o Scalability:
 Easy to scale resources up or down.
o Accessibility:
 Access from anywhere with an internet connection.
o Disaster Recovery:
 Better disaster recovery solutions.
52. What is the importance of Edge Computing?
o Improved Performance:
 Reduces latency and bandwidth usage.
o Enhanced Security:
 Local data processing enhances security.
o Better Reliability:
 Local data processing improves reliability.
53. Explain the security aspects of Cloud Computing.
o Data Encryption:
 Encrypting data to ensure its security.
o Access Control:
 Restricting access to authorized users only.
o Regular Audits:
 Conducting regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities.


54. How does Cloud Computing impact businesses?

o Cost Efficiency:
 Reduces operational and maintenance costs.
o Scalability:
 Easily scalable to meet business demands.
o Innovation:
 Enables faster development and deployment of new solutions.

55. What are the challenges of Cloud Computing?

o Security:
 Ensuring data security and compliance.
o Downtime:
 Risk of downtime affecting availability.
o Vendor Lock-In:
 Difficulty in switching providers.
o Data Privacy:
 Ensuring data privacy and protection.
SUMMARY
Basic Cloud Computing Interview Questions for Freshers:
1. Cloud vs. On-premise Computing: Differences in initial cost, maintenance, upgrade,
scalability, and payment models.
2. Definition of Cloud: Collaboration of networks, hardware, services, storage, and interfaces
delivering computing as a service.
3. Definition of Cloud Computing: Accessing global server resources based on user
requirements.
4. Key Features of Cloud Computing: Reliability, scalability, agility, location independence,
multi-tenancy.
5. Benefits of Cloud Computing: Data backup, powerful server capabilities, increased
productivity, cost-effectiveness.
Intermediate Cloud Computing Interview Questions:
1. Serverless Components: Advantages and disadvantages of serverless computing.
2. Microservices: Importance and functionality in cloud environments.
3. Amazon Machine Image (AMI): Implementation and benefits.
4. Hybrid Clouds: Importance and benefits.
5. Deployment Models: Private, Public, Community, and Hybrid Clouds.
Advanced Cloud Computing Interview Questions for Experienced:
1. APIs in Cloud Services: Usage and benefits.
2. Data Center Deployments: Containerized and low-density data centers.
3. Cloud Architecture: Front-end and back-end components.
4. System Integrators: Role and significance.
5. Key Components of AWS: Services like Route 53, SES, IAM, S3, EC2, EBS, CloudWatch.
Cloud Computing Salary Trends:
 Average salaries for various cloud computing roles in India and the USA.
 Job trends and demand for cloud computing professionals.
Cloud Computing Job Trends:
 Growth of the cloud computing market in India and job availability in India and the USA.
Cloud Computing Roles and Responsibilities:
 Job descriptions for roles like Senior Cloud Engineer and Senior Cloud Service Architect,
including required skills and certifications.