School Of Computer And Information Sciences - CIS 532 Cloud

School Of Computer Information Sciencesits 532 Cloud Computingchapter

School of Computer & Information Sciences ITS-532 Cloud Computing Chapter 1 - Introduction to Cloud Computing Content from: Primary Textbook: Jamsa, K. A. (2013). Cloud computing: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, virtualization, business models, mobile, security and more. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Secondary Textbook: Erl, T., Mahmood, Z., & Puttini, R. (2014). Cloud computing: concepts, technology, & architecture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 1 Learning Objectives Understand the abstract nature of cloud computing. Describe evolutionary factors of computing that led to the cloud. Describe virtualization at both the desktop and the server level. Describe and identify common cloud types, which include software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service. Know how businesses and individuals use the cloud. Describe the benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing. Understand common security considerations with respect to the cloud. Describe ways cloud computing can improve system fault tolerance. Describe Web 2.0 and its relationship to cloud computing. 2 Cloud Computing Defined Cloud computing describes the abstraction of web-based computers, resources, and services that system developers can utilize to implement complex web-based systems - Jamsa (2013) Add Erl pg 27/28 to difinietions 3 Why Use the Term “Cloud†For years developers and network administrators have represented the Internet as a cloud. 4 Real World: Apple iCloud Using iCloud, users can synchronize their content to a variety of devices. 5 Web 2.0 Web 2.0 tools and sites, users essentially publish content directly to the cloud for access by other users. 6 Understanding Cloud Types To analyze and describe cloud-based systems, people refer to a cloud solution in terms of its deployment model and services model. These two terms originated from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 7 Cloud Deployment Models 8 Cloud Service Models 9 Real World: Windows Azure Windows Azure is a Microsoft platform developers can use to move applications to the cloud. Windows Azure provides operating-system support for .NET applications and a cloud-based SQL server (SQL Azure). Windows Azure platform maintains servers, operating systems, database software, and other supporting applications. Windows Azure can scale to meet the developer’s needs. 10 Features of Cloud-Based Platforms Scalability. On demand resource scaling. Redundancy. Servers, storage, and networks. Cost benefits from resource pooling. Shares IT resources across a very large number of companies, which provides cost savings to each. Outsourced server management. Provides an IT staff who maintain operating systems and underlying support software. Low cost of entry. Companies do not need to invest in their own IT data center. 11 Software as a Service (SaaS) SaaS provides a cloud-based foundation for software on demand. Web-delivered content that users access via a web browser. The software can reside within any of the deployment-model clouds. 12 SaaS Advantages and Disadvantages The advantages of SaaS solutions are simplicity of integration (users need only a browser), cost (the data center resides within the cloud), and scalability (customers can add user licenses or seats as needed). The disadvantage of SaaS solutions is the perception of security issues. 13 Real World: Salesforce.com One of the first companies to launch a large-scale SaaS. Leveraged the fact that as much as three-fourths of a salesperson’s day was spent on nonsales tasks. Recognized that regardless of the items a company sold, the selling process was similar across companies and even industries. Automated these tasks and put the underlying data storage in the cloud—the sales cloud. 14 Platform as a Service PaaS provides the underlying hardware technology, such as one or more servers (or virtual servers), operating systems, database solutions, developer tools, and network support, for developers to deploy their own solutions. The hardware and software within a PaaS solution is managed by the platform provider. Developers need not worry about performing hardware or operating system upgrades. Instead, developers can focus on their own applications. 15 PaaS Advantages and Disadvantages Developers can focus on application solutions, not hardware or the platform. Some developers want more control over the underlying systems (patches, versions, …) 16 Infrastructure as a Service IaaS provides a virtual data center within the cloud. IaaS provides servers (physical and virtualized), cloud-based data storage, and more. Developers must install their own operating system, database management software, and support software. Then the developers (or the company’s system administrators) must manage both the hardware and the software. 17 IaaS Advantages and Disadvantages Companies no longer require a data center Some developers/administrators want to physically touch their equipment to reduce security concerns 18 Real World: Amazon AWS Companies can use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host their own systems. Today, AWS process hundreds of thousands of web-based requests for companies every second! 19 Scalability A site or application’s ability to use additional resources on demand. The site or application may scale up to utilize additional resources when the system is experiencing high user demand and later scale down resources when the demand declines. 20 Virtualization The use of hardware and/or software to create the perception of something. Using special software, the server can be made to appear as if it has multiple CPUs running the same or different operating systems. 21 Desktop Virtualization Allows a desktop PC to run multiple operating systems. Ideal for testers or support personnel. 22 Technology Innovations Clustering – Redundancy and Failover A group of independent IT resources working as a single system Identical hardware and software Synchronization between resources Grid Computing – High Performance “virtual super computer†A group of computing resources working together as a logical resource pool Hardware and software for each resource can vary Loose coupling of distributed systems Virtualization Physical computer resources provided multiple “virtual†instances of themselves 23 (Erl, 2014) Key Terms 24 References Primary: Jamsa, K. A. (2013). Cloud computing: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, virtualization, business models, mobile, security and more. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Secondary: Erl, T., Mahmood, Z., & Puttini, R. (2014). Cloud computing: concepts, technology, & architecture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 25 Attachment 1 Health Insurance and Managed Care Instructor: Sonja McDonald Term Paper Part 1: Outline Fall 2020 Due September 06, 2020 Instructions: 1. Select one of the following “Single Payer†countries: Japan. Other countries can be used with Instructor permission 2. Make bullet point notes regarding important (in your opinion) contrasting features for the United States and your selected Comparator Country 3. Due September 06, 2020 Topic United States Comparator Country Health of Managed Care and Health Insurance Health & Benefit Plans Supplemental Insurance Available or Needed? Provider Contracting and Credentialing Provider Payment Utilization and Quality Management Governance & Administration Overall Health Outcome

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The evolution of cloud computing has transformed the landscape of information technology, creating numerous opportunities for businesses and individuals alike. Originating from the need for scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient computing resources, cloud computing integrates advanced concepts such as virtualization, distributed systems, and service models like SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. This paper aims to explore the fundamental aspects of cloud computing, its types, deployment and service models, key features, security considerations, and its relationship with Web 2.0, providing a comprehensive understanding of this transformative technology.

Understanding the Nature of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is fundamentally an abstraction of web-based computational resources, where computing resources such as storage, processing power, and applications are delivered over the internet as services. As Jamsa (2013) and Erl et al. (2014) emphasize, cloud computing allows users to access and utilize resources without direct management of physical infrastructure. This abstraction simplifies complex systems, enabling scalable and flexible applications that can dynamically adapt to varying demands. The term "cloud" is metaphorically derived from the way the internet has historically been represented in diagrams— as a cloud symbolizing an opaque, interconnected network that hides the complexities of underlying systems.

Evolution of Computing to the Cloud

The evolution leading to cloud computing stems from decades of advancements in computing technology, including mainframe computing, client-server architectures, and virtualization. The rise of distributed systems and network technologies facilitated remote resource sharing and management, culminating in the modern cloud paradigm. Virtualization, in particular, served as a critical enabler, allowing multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server, thus optimizing resource utilization and enabling scalable hosting environments (Jamsa, 2013). These technological developments laid the foundation for cloud models that emphasize on-demand resource provisioning, elasticity, and cost efficiency.

Virtualization and Its Significance

Virtualization is at the core of cloud computing, serving as a bridge between physical hardware and logical resource abstraction. At the server level, virtualization enables multiple virtual servers— or virtual machines— to operate independently on a single physical machine, isolating operating systems and applications (Erl et al., 2014). Desktop virtualization extends this concept to end-user devices, allowing multiple operating systems on a single desktop environment. Virtualization enhances resource utilization, simplifies management, and improves disaster recovery, fault tolerance, and security in cloud environments.

Types of Cloud Deployment and Service Models

Cloud computing accommodates a variety of deployment models, including public, private, hybrid, and community clouds, each suited to different organizational needs. Public clouds, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, offer services over the internet accessible to multiple tenants. Private clouds serve a single organization, offering greater control and security. Hybrid clouds combine aspects of both, providing flexibility and scalability (NIST, 2011).

Regarding service models, cloud services are categorized primarily into Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides foundational hardware resources like virtualized servers and storage (Amazon AWS, 2023). PaaS offers a platform allowing developers to deploy applications without worrying about underlying infrastructure, exemplified by Windows Azure (Microsoft, 2023). SaaS delivers software applications over the internet, accessible via web browsers, with examples including Salesforce and Google Workspace.

Features and Benefits of Cloud Platforms

Cloud platforms are distinguished by features such as scalability, on-demand resource provisioning, redundancy, and resource pooling. These features lead to significant cost savings, operational flexibility, and improved fault tolerance. Cloud infrastructures facilitate outsourced server management, reducing the need for companies to maintain physical data centers, thereby lowering capital expenditure (Jamsa, 2013; Erl et al., 2014). This enables organizations to rapidly scale resources to match fluctuating demand, optimizing performance and customer satisfaction.

Security Considerations and Challenges

Despite its numerous benefits, cloud computing raises critical security concerns, including data privacy, access control, compliance, and data sovereignty. Multitenancy increases risk exposure, requiring robust security measures such as encryption, identity management, and intrusion detection systems (Zhou et al., 2010). Additionally, organizations must evaluate provider security policies and adhere to best practices to mitigate risks associated with data breaches and misuse. The shared nature of cloud resources necessitates comprehensive security frameworks to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Fault Tolerance and System Reliability

Cloud computing enhances system fault tolerance through techniques like clustering, redundancy, and failover mechanisms. Clustering involves grouping multiple servers to act as a single system, ensuring continuous operation despite individual component failures (Erl et al., 2014). Virtualization and distributed systems further increase resilience by allowing dynamic workload redistribution and rapid recovery from hardware failures. These advancements ensure high availability of cloud services, critical for business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

Relation to Web 2.0 and Modern Digital Ecosystems

Web 2.0 represents a new generation of web tools emphasizing user-generated content, collaboration, and social networking. Its core concepts— such as dynamic content, rich interfaces, and sharing— are inherently tied to cloud computing. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Google Docs leverage cloud infrastructure to support massive user activity and data sharing (O’Reilly, 2005). Therefore, Web 2.0 acts as both a driver and a beneficiary of cloud technology, facilitating scalable and interactive applications that redefine online interactions.

Conclusion

Cloud computing embodies a paradigm shift in how computing resources are delivered, managed, and utilized. Its foundation in virtualization, distributed systems, and service models enables organizations and individuals to access scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient solutions. While security and reliability present ongoing challenges, technological innovations like clustering and virtualization continue to improve fault tolerance and system robustness. Understanding these core principles is essential for leveraging cloud computing effectively in today’s digital world, especially as web-based applications and services become increasingly integral to daily life and business operations.

References

  • Erl, T., Mahmood, Z., & Puttini, R. (2014). Cloud computing: concepts, technology, & architecture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Jamsa, K. A. (2013). Cloud computing: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, virtualization, business models, mobile, security and more. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2011). The NIST definition of cloud computing. Special Publication 800-145.
  • Microsoft. (2023). Azure platform documentation. Retrieved from https://azure.microsoft.com
  • Amazon Web Services. (2023). AWS overview. Retrieved from https://aws.amazon.com
  • O’Reilly, T. (2005). What Is Web 2.0: Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. O’Reilly Media.
  • Zhou, W., Ren, K., & Wang, S. (2010). Security in cloud computing: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing, 3(4), 730-746.
  • Garrison, G., & Sriram, M. (2012). Cloud computing security: A survey of recent developments. Journal of Computer Security, 20(4), 395-419.
  • Marinescu, D. C. (2013). Cloud computing: Theory and practice. Morgan Kaufmann.
  • Buyya, R., Broberg, J., & Goscinski, A. (2011). Cloud computing: Principles and paradigm. Wiley.