UNIT-I

Cloud Computing at a Glance: The vision of cloud computing: Defining a cloud A closer look,
The cloud computing reference model Characteristics and benefits Challenges ahead
Historical Developments: Distributed systems, Virtualization, Web2.0 Service- oriented
computing Utility-oriented computing
Building Cloud Computing Environments: Application development Infrastructure and
system development, Computing platforms and technologies.

The cloud is a system of internet-connected servers that store data and run applications. These
servers are in different locations worldwide, so people and businesses can use them without
needing their own computers or storage devices.

How the Cloud Works

Instead of relying on local devices for storage and processing, cloud computing enables users
to access applications and data from anywhere. For example:

●​ Logging into an Instagram account on a new phone retains all photos, videos, and
messages.
●​ Cloud-based services like Gmail, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, and Google Drive store
and sync files across multiple devices.

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage,

databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the internet. It provides a
virtualized platform with on-demand resources, dynamically provisioning hardware, software,
and data as needed.

Cloud computing means using internet-based services like storage, servers, software, and
databases. It provides resources as needed, without requiring physical hardware

Vision of Cloud Computing

1.​ Global Accessibility: Enables users to connect and access services from anywhere.
2.​ Scalability: Allows seamless resource scaling to meet fluctuating demands.
3.​ Cost Efficiency: Operates on a pay-as-you-go model, reducing upfront costs.
 4.​ Provides a flexible platform for rapid development and deployment of applications.
5.​ Collaboration: Enhances teamwork through shared resources and global connectivity.

Cloud Computing vs. On-Premises Data Centers

Cloud computing offers an alternative to traditional on-premises data centers, reducing the
burden of hardware management and infrastructure maintenance.

On-Premises Data Centers

✅
Managing an on-premises data center requires:​

✅
Purchasing and installing hardware​

✅
Setting up virtualization and operating systems​

✅
Installing applications and configuring networks​

✅
Managing security (firewalls) and storage​
Continuous maintenance throughout its lifecycle

Cloud Computing Advantage - With cloud computing, the cloud vendor handles:

✅ Hardware purchase and maintenance​

✅ Virtualization, storage, and security​
✅ Software and platform services on demand
Users can rent only the required services, paying based on actual usage. The cloud provides
an easily accessible online portal for managing compute, storage, network, and application
resources efficiently.

NIST's Five Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines five core characteristics
of cloud computing:

1.​ On-Demand Self-Service: Users can provision resources without requiring human
intervention from the provider.
2.​ Broad Network Access: Services are accessible from any device over the internet.
3.​ Resource Pooling: Computing resources are shared among multiple users through
multi-tenancy.
4.​ Rapid Elasticity: Resources can be automatically scaled up or down as needed.
5.​ Measured Service: Usage is monitored and billed based on actual consumption.

Basic Concepts of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is made possible by various services and models that work behind the
scenes to provide a seamless experience for end users. These include:
Deployment Models

Deployment models determine how cloud resources are accessed and managed. There are
four primary types:

1.​ Public Cloud

●​ Resources are hosted and managed by a third-party provider.
●​ Users access services on-demand over the internet via APIs or web applications.
●​ Examples: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud
2.​ Private Cloud
●​ A cloud setup dedicated to a single organization.
●​ Offers better security, control, and compliance.
3.​ Hybrid Cloud
●​ A mix of private and public cloud services.
●​ Keeps sensitive data in-house while using the cloud for other tasks.
●​ Common uses: Disaster recovery, backups, development, and testing.
4.​ Community Cloud
●​ Shared infrastructure used by multiple organizations with similar requirements.
●​ Offers greater security and cost-sharing benefits compared to a public cloud.
●​ Used in sectors like government, healthcare, or financial
institutions where data privacy is crucial.

The cloud computing reference model :Cloud Service Models - Cloud computing is
categorized into three primary service models:

1. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

A cloud service where providers manage hardware like servers, storage, and networks, offering
them on a pay-per-use basis.

2. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

A cloud service that provides a complete environment for developing, testing, and deploying
applications without managing infrastructure.

3. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

A cloud service where software applications are delivered over the internet, removing the need
for local installation, maintenance, or updates.
Characteristics of Cloud Technologies

(MNEMONIC : A Cool Dolphin Plays Ping-Pong In The Hot Summer Vacation Escape.)

1. Agility - Cloud computing allows organizations to quickly adapt to changing business

requirements.

●​ Resources (like storage, processing power, etc.) can be scaled up/down in minutes.
●​ Supports rapid development, testing, and deployment of applications.
●​ Ideal for businesses needing to respond quickly to market demands or unexpected
workloads.

2. Cost Efficiency - Cloud eliminates the need for large upfront capital expenditures on
hardware.

●​ Uses a shared infrastructure, which spreads cost across multiple users.

●​ Data centers in low-cost geographic locations reduce operational expenses.
●​ Offers economies of scale—the more you use, the less you pay per unit.

3. Device & Location Independence- Users can access cloud services via any
internet-enabled device from anywhere in the world.

●​ No dependency on specific hardware or physical location.

●​ Promotes remote work, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, and global
collaboration.
●​ Services and data remain accessible even if users switch devices.

4. Pay-Per-Use - Cloud operates on a utility-based billing model.

●​ You only pay for the resources you consume (e.g., compute hours, storage used, etc.).
●​ Prevents overprovisioning and resource wastage.
●​ Budget-friendly for startups and small businesses.

5. Performance Monitoring - Cloud service providers implement tools and techniques to

monitor system performance.

●​ Constantly tracks availability, latency, throughput, and other metrics.

●​ Alerts for bottlenecks and failures are automated.
●​ Helps in maintaining Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

6. Increased Productivity - Enables real-time collaboration, reduces downtime, and

simplifies IT management.

●​ Teams can work together from different locations using shared documents and
applications.
●​ Updates and software maintenance are handled by the provider.
 ●​ Developers can focus on innovation instead of infrastructure management.

7. Time Savings - Cloud automates many manual and repetitive tasks.

●​ Infrastructure provisioning, software updates, and backups are handled automatically.

●​ Speeds up deployment cycles.
●​ Reduces setup and configuration time, enabling faster go-to-market strategies.

8. High Availability - Cloud platforms offer built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms.

●​ Ensures services are available even if one server/data center fails.

●​ Uses replication, load balancing, and backup systems.
●​ Supports 24/7 availability and meets business continuity goals.

9. Scalability - Cloud can scale resources vertically (up/down) and horizontally (out/in) as
needed.

●​ Matches resource allocation with demand in real time.

●​ Prevents system overloads during peak usage.
●​ Optimizes resource usage and cost-efficiency.

10. Self-Service - Users can provision and manage computing resources without human
intervention from the provider.

●​ Via user-friendly dashboards and APIs.

●​ Empowers developers and IT teams with greater control and flexibility.
●​ Supports DevOps and agile workflows.

11. Virtualization - Allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical machine.

●​ Improves resource utilization.

●​ Enables flexibility, isolation, and sandboxing.
●​ Supports running different OSes and applications independently on the same hardware.

12. Enhanced Security - Cloud providers implement advanced security measures to protect
data.

●​ Includes encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection, and identity/access

management (IAM).
●​ Centralized data control simplifies monitoring and compliance.
●​ Often more secure than traditional IT setups, especially for small organizations.
Benefits of Cloud Technologies (Cool Students Improve Every Result Speedily)

1.​ Cost Efficiency – Cuts down on capital expenses by eliminating the need for physical
hardware and software purchases. Pay only for what you use.
2.​ Scalability – Easily increase or decrease resources based on demand, ensuring
flexibility during peak or low usage.
3.​ Increased Productivity – Cloud providers handle updates and maintenance, freeing up
internal teams to focus on core tasks.
4.​ Enhanced Security – Advanced security features like encryption and monitoring protect
data and ensure compliance.
5.​ Reliability – Ensures data backup and disaster recovery, reducing downtime and
maintaining business continuity.
6.​ Speed & Accessibility – Quick access to resources from anywhere, enabling fast
deployment and remote collaboration.

Challenges Ahead in Cloud Computing (Smart Lions Swim In Pools, Having Lots of Summer Ice.)

1.​ Security Risks – Data breaches and unauthorized access.

2.​ Legal Issues – Compliance with different regulations.
3.​ Service Disruptions – Cloud failures can interrupt business.
4.​ Internet Dependency – Needs a stable connection.
5.​ Performance Issues – Slowdowns during peak times.
6.​ Hidden Costs – Extra charges for scaling and transfers.
7.​ Less Control – Limited control over cloud systems.
8.​ Skill Gaps – Need experts to manage the cloud.
9.​ Integration Issues – Difficult to connect with old systems.

History & Evolution of Cloud Computing

Evolution of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has evolved through various technological advancements, starting from
distributed systems to modern-day AI-driven cloud services.

Key Stages in Cloud Evolution

1.​ Distributed Systems

2.​ Virtualization
3.​ Web 2.0
4.​ Service-Oriented Computing
5.​ Utility-Oriented Computing

1. Distributed Systems

A distributed system is a network of independent computers that function as a single system.

It provides scalability, reliability, and fault tolerance.

Distributed Computing

●​ Foundation of Cloud Computing – Cloud systems are naturally distributed.

●​ Simplifies Complexity – Hides system details, offering a seamless experience.
●​ Collaborative Processing – Multiple computers work together by dividing tasks.
●​ Boosts Performance – Improves speed, efficiency, and fault tolerance.
●​ Network-Based – Computers communicate over a network, each with its own memory.
Properties of Distributed Systems:

✅ Heterogeneity – Different types of computers & networks working together.​

✅ Scalability – Can grow as needed.​
✅ Transparency – Users don’t see underlying complexities.​
✅ Independent Failure – One node failure doesn’t affect the whole system.
Milestones in Distributed Computing:

1.​ Mainframe Computing

2.​ Cluster Computing
3.​ Grid Computing

2. Mainframe Computing (1950s-1980s)

●​ Introduced in 1951, mainframes were powerful & reliable computing machines.

●​ Used for bulk data processing, online transactions, and enterprise resource
planning (ERP).
●​ Expensive & centralized, requiring dedicated operators.
●​ Applications: Banking, airline ticketing, government services.

3. Cluster Computing (1980s-1990s)

●​ Multiple Computers as One – Independent computers (nodes) are connected to work

together as a single system.
●​ More Cost-Effective than Mainframes – Provides high computing power at a lower
cost.
●​ Easier to Expand – New nodes can be added as needed for scalability.
●​ Used In – Databases, web servers, and enterprise applications.
●​ Workload Distribution – Tasks are divided among nodes to improve performance and
efficiency.
●​ Fault Tolerance – If one node fails, others continue processing, ensuring system
stability.
●​ High-Performance Computing – Handles large-scale computations and database
operations.
●​ Unified System – Regardless of parent or child nodes, all work as part of a single entity.
4. Grid Computing (1990s-2000s)

●​ Virtual Supercomputer – A global network of computers working together.

●​ Precursor to Cloud Computing – Laid the foundation for modern cloud systems.
●​ High-Performance Computing – Used for simulations, AI research, and big data
processing.
●​ Applications – Scientific research, predictive modeling, and automation.
●​ Resource Sharing – Computers communicate through a data grid to distribute
workloads efficiently.
●​ Challenges – Complex networking and high maintenance costs.
●​ Goal – Solve complex problems faster using multiple machines.

5. Virtualization (2000s-Present)

●​ Core Technology Behind Cloud Computing – Virtualization is fundamental to how

cloud computing works.
●​ Creates Virtual Machines (VMs) – Allows multiple operating systems to run on the
same physical hardware.
●​ Tools Used – VMware, Xen, Hyper-V are common tools enabling virtualization.
●​ Key Benefit – Optimizes resource use, leading to Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
models like AWS EC2.
●​ Abstracts Physical Hardware – Virtualization creates a layer over hardware, enabling
multiple virtual instances to run simultaneously.
●​ Foundation for Cloud Services – Powers services like Amazon EC2 and VMware
vCloud.

6. Web 2.0 (2004-Present)

●​ Interactive & Dynamic Web – Web 2.0 allows users to interact, collaborate, and create
content.
●​ Shift from Static to Dynamic – Unlike Web 1.0 (static), Web 2.0 enables real-time
updates and user-generated content.
 ●​ Supports Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) – Web 2.0 helps deliver various cloud
services on-demand.

Role of Web 2.0 in Cloud Computing

●​ On-Demand Services – Technologies like AJAX and RESTful APIs allow smooth cloud
integration.
●​ Supports SaaS – Cloud-based apps (e.g., Google Docs, Dropbox) rely on Web 2.0 for
accessibility and collaboration.
●​ Enhanced User Experience – Provides real-time updates, data syncing, and rich
internet applications (RIA).
●​ Social & Collaborative Platforms – Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) uses cloud
computing for storing and processing content.

Examples: Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.​

Key Point: Cloud computing became crucial for handling large amounts of user data.

7. Service-Oriented Computing

●​ Applications were designed as independent services that can communicate over a

network.
●​ Reference Model for Cloud – SOA serves as a foundation for cloud computing.
●​ Supports Flexible & Scalable Applications – Allows cost-effective and scalable
solutions.

Key Cloud Models

●​ Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

●​ Platform as a Service (PaaS)
●​ Software as a Service (SaaS)

Quality of Service (QoS) & Service Level Agreements (SLA) Introduced to define
performance standards and expectations for service delivery

8. Utility Computing (Pay-per-use Model)

●​ Cloud computing adopted a pay-per-use model, similar to public utilities (electricity,

water).
●​ Resources like storage, compute power, and bandwidth became on-demand.
●​ Key Cloud Providers: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure.

Advantages of Utility Computing

●​ Cost-Efficient – Pay only for what you use.

●​ Scalability – Easily scale resources up or down.
 ●​ Flexibility – Access resources from anywhere.

Disadvantages

●​ Internet Dependency – Requires a strong network connection.

●​ Vendor Lock-in – Migration between cloud providers is difficult.
●​ Security Concerns – Data stored remotely can be vulnerable.

Architecture of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing architecture integrates Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and

Event-Driven Architecture (EDA) to provide scalable, flexible, and on-demand services.

The architecture of cloud computing is divided into two main parts:

1. Frontend (Client-Side)

●​ Used by end-users to interact with cloud services.

●​ Includes client-side interfaces such as web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), mobile
apps etc
●​ Provides an interface for accessing cloud-based applications and services.

2. Backend (Provider-Side)

●​ Managed by cloud service providers.

●​ Controls resources required to provide cloud services, including storage, virtual
machines, databases, security mechanisms, and servers.
●​ Includes various computing models such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Key Components of Cloud Computing Architecture

1. Client Infrastructure

●​ It is a frontend component that allows users to interact with the cloud using a
Graphical User Interface (GUI).
●​ Example: Web browsers, mobile apps, virtual desktops.

2. Application

●​ Software or platforms that users can access in the cloud.

●​ Example:
○​ Microsoft 365 (SaaS): Provides Word, Excel, and PowerPoint via the cloud.
○​ Gmail: A cloud-based email service.

3. Cloud Services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

●​ Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources over the

internet.
○​ Example: AWS EC2, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines
●​ Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a development platform for building applications.
○​ Example: Google App Engine, Heroku
●​ Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers fully functional applications to end-users.
○​ Example: Dropbox, Gmail, Google Docs

4. Runtime Cloud

●​ Provides the execution environment for virtual machines and applications.

●​ Example: AWS Lambda (serverless execution of functions).

5. Storage

●​ Offers high-capacity storage for data and applications.

●​ Example: Amazon S3 (object storage), Google Cloud Storage.

6. Cloud Infrastructure

●​ Includes servers, networking, virtualization, and storage that power the cloud.
●​ Ensures availability and scalability.

7. Management

●​ Responsible for managing resources, security, and performance monitoring.

●​ Ensures efficient allocation of computing resources.

8. Security
 ●​ Implements encryption, identity management, and compliance measures to protect user
data.
●​ Example: Azure Security Center, AWS Identity & Access Management (IAM).

9. Internet -Acts as a communication bridge between the frontend and backend.

Building Cloud Computing Environments

Cloud environments are built by integrating three key components:

1. Application Development

●​ Focuses on designing and deploying applications specifically for the cloud.

●​ Involves cloud-native development using microservices, containers (like Docker), and
orchestration tools (like Kubernetes).
●​ Emphasizes scalability, fault tolerance, and fast deployment.
●​ Uses modern development practices such as CI/CD pipelines for continuous integration
and delivery.

2. Infrastructure and System Development

●​ Refers to setting up the hardware and software infrastructure virtually using cloud
resources.
●​ Involves creating virtual machines, storage, networking, and load balancers.
●​ Uses tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for automation.
●​ Focus is on ensuring high availability, scalability, and resource optimization.

3. Computing Platforms and Technologies

●​ Platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud provide the tools and services required
to build and manage cloud applications.
●​ These platforms offer IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a
Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service).
●​ Technologies include virtualization, serverless computing, AI/ML services,
databases, and storage solutions.

NOTE :

●​ A web service is a software system that enables communication between different

applications over the internet using standard protocols (like HTTP).
●​ It allows different systems (written in different programming languages or running on
different platforms) to exchange data and perform tasks.
●​ Example Use Case: An e-commerce app may use a payment gateway web service
to process payments or a weather web service to show local forecasts.
OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture)

●​ What it is:​
A standard architecture developed by the Global Grid Forum (2002–2006) for building
and managing distributed computing environments.
●​ Purpose:​
To create a common, open, and service-oriented framework for grid computing
systems.
●​ Built on:​
Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) – where everything is a service.
●​ Key Features:
○​ Defines how grid services should interact.
○​ Enables resource sharing across large, heterogeneous networks.
○​ Provides a secure, scalable, and flexible platform for scientific and engineering
applications.
○​ Supports authentication, authorization, and encryption.

OGSI (Open Grid Services Infrastructure)

●​ What it is:​
A specification that defines the technical infrastructure for building grid services
within OGSA.
●​ Purpose:​
Acts as the foundation or middleware layer that makes OGSA’s vision technically
possible.
●​ Built on:​
Web services standards like SOAP, WSDL, and WSRF (Web Services Resource
Framework).
●​ Key Features:
○​ Defines standard interfaces for creating, managing, and destroying grid
services.
○​ Provides a metadata model for describing service capabilities.
○​ Handles the lifecycle of services (creation, discovery, update, deletion).