Cloud computing

Question 1

What is cloud computing?

Answer 1

• On demand availability of computer resources e.g. data storage and computing power accessed over a network

Question 2

Name 3 service models

Answer 2

1. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
   a. Virtual machines, storage, networks
2. Platform as a service (PaaS)
   a. Execution runtime, database, web server, development tools e.g. Elastic Beanstalk
3. Software as a service (SaaS)
   a. Applications- emails, games, productivity software

Question 3

Name 3 deployment models

Answer 3

1, Private cloud

a. A cloud infrastructure that is managed and hosted internally
b. Organisation purchases all hardware and manages the cloud infrastructure
2. Public cloud
a. Services are accessed over a network that is open for public use
b. E.g. AWS, Oracle, Microsoft, Google…
3. Hybrid cloud
a. Combination of public and private clouds
b. E.g. company stores sensitive client data on a private cloud application and less sensitive data on part of the public cloud

Question 4

What are the three main threats to cloud computing?

Answer 4

1. Insecure interfaces and APIs
2. Data loss
3. Leakage and hardware failure

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages or adopting a cloud solution?

Answer 5

Advantages-

1. Cost saving
2. Strategic edge (if using SaaS)
3. High speed
4. Back-up and restore data
5. Reliability
6. Flexibility (increase resources when required)
7. Availability

Disadvantages

1. Security threats (see above)
2. Down time (smaller providers)
3. Internet connectivity
4. Vendor lock in