Cloud Concepts Flashcards
For the Cloud Concepts part of the exam, AWS would like you to: 1. Define the AWS Cloud and its value proposition. 2. Identify aspects of the WS Cloud economics. 3. List the different cloud architecture design principles.
- What is AWS?
Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform created by Amazon and currently holds the worlds highest percentage in market share of the cloud computing market.
There are (according to AWS) six advantages to Cloud Computing. Can you list the six?
- Trade Capital expense for variable expense.
- Benefit from massive economys of scale.
- Stop guessing about capacity.
- Increase speed and agility.
- Stop sending money running and maintaining data centres.
- Go global in minutes.
These will almost definately come up on the exam!!
There are three main Cloud Computing Models (According to the LinkedIn learning material).
Can you name all three?
- Software as a Service (Saas)
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
There are three cloud computing deployments.
Can you name the three?
- Public Cloud - All data stored in servers hoste by the cloud service provider.
- Private Cloud - On-Prem infrrastucture. Resources not accessed using the internet.
- Hybrid Cloud - Often used by companies with on On-Prem data centers who need it, but also are using the cloud for future projects. Or simply having backups in the cloud.
Can you name some of the features of cloud computing that shine.
Flexibility - Ability to access files, applications and other resources on any web enabled device.
Scalability - Seemlessly transition from one level of resource allocation to the next. If you need more, or less, resources to optimise speed and cost, you can do so in the cloud much easier than with traditional IT infrastructure.
Finding your perfect fit - Whether your service demads security, flexibility or scalability, you can have it all ways by choosing the perfect deployment.
Can you name the benefits of a Public cloud deployment?
You can utilize the flexibility and scalability of the cloud, by:
- Giving easy acssess to web enabled devices, allowing users great variance in the way they can choose to work. Whether that be choice of location, hardware or time.
- Scaling to meet buisiness needs. If you need more in the way of computing power, resources are available, potentially without any interaction from the service provider. And if costs are too high or demand in resources have fallen, you can just as easily reduce the allocated resources you have.
What are the benefits of the Private Cloud deployment?
Security - Deploys machines and networkss behind firewalls. Organisation is not sharing any of its resources with another organisation which may be a requirement for security purposes.
Performance - Onsite infrastructure can be (in most cases) accessed quicker than a cloud resource as it is based either where the employees are working from, or within a near vacinity. It also does not have to go thrpougg the medium of a cloud providers networkin infrastructure, which may not be optimised for the specific use on one resource.
Hybrid Cloud uses both On-Prem and Public Cloud setups to provide a service. When can this be most beneficial? Give some use cases.
Hybrid clouds can be the solution for organisations who have a lot of already established infratructure and are in the process of migrating.
It can also be used as a cloud backup solution, where just the backups are based in the cloud. Providing quick disaster recovery.
What are the five pillars of the Well Architected Framework?
- Cost Optimisation
- Reliability
- Operational Excellence
- Performance Efficiency
- Security
What is the Cloud?
The Cloud is the Internet. A connection of billions of devices made into “one entity” by physical (and wireless) cennections.
What is a Hypervisor?
A Hypervisor is software that creates and runs virtual machines. It allows one host computing source, to support multiple guest VMs by virtually sharing its resources, such as memory and processing.
Describe what is meant by “Trade capital expense for variable expense”.
Instead of having to invest iin large upfront costs, for materials you are not certain you will need/will be enough, you can pay for what you use, when you use it, scaling up and down as required.
Explain what is meant by “Benefit from the massive economies of scale” advantage of cloud computing.
By using cloud computing, you can achieve a lower variable cost than you can get on your own. Because usage from hundreds of thousands of customers is aggregated in the cloud, providers such as AWS can achieve higher economies of scale, which translates to lower pay as you go pricing.
Eplain what is meant by “Stop guessing about capacity” advantage of cloud computing.
Eliminate estimates and guess work when it comes to infrastructure needs. Don’t buy too much or too little, just scale in or out as you need more.
Explain what is meant by “Increase speed and agility” advantage of cloud computing.
In a cloud computing environment, new resources are only a click away. Decrease the time to production from weeks to minutes, saving time and subsiquently cost.
Explain what is meant by “Stop spending money running and maintaining data centres” advantage of cloud computing.
Focus on projects that differentiate your business instead of problems with the infrastructure. Focus on your customers instead of the racking, stacking and powering of servers.
Explain what is meant by “Go global in minutes” advantage of cloud computing.
Easily deploy your application in multiple regions around the world with just a few clicks. This means you can provide lower latency and a better experience for your customers at minimal cost.
What is “Infrastructure as a Service”?
The cloud service provider takes responsibilty of the fundamental computing resources for the customer. Resources including:
- Processing
- Storage
- Networking
This leaves the customer with the highest level of control over their IT resources.
