• A cloud is a collection of network-accessible IT resources
– Consists of shared pools of hardware and software resources deployed in data centers • Cloud model enables consumers to hire a provider’s IT resources as a service
• Consumers use a web-based self-service portal to view a
service catalog and request cloud services • Enables consumers to provision cloud services in a simple and flexible manner – Reduces the time needed to provision new or additional IT resources
• Consumers access cloud services on any client/end-point device
from anywhere over a network • Standard mechanisms support the use of heterogeneous client platforms – OSI and TCP/IP protocols – SOAP and REST web services
– An entity that acts as an intermediary between cloud consumers and providers • Cloud broker manages the use, performance ,and delivery of cloud services