Cloud Computing 101 for Beginners (Part 1)
Tags: cloud, cloudcomputing
Published: 2023-07-03 17:19:18

 In this article we'll be going over: 
 • Defining cloud computing
 • Describing the basics of cloud computing
 • Discussing the benefits of cloud computing
 • Identifying cloud service models and cloud deployment models

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**Why cloud computing?**
Cloud computing is used prevalently as IT assets can be used as programmatic resources to quickly set up and tear down resources.  
With cloud computing, you can access resources dynamically for agility and flexibility to meet customer needs.  It can be pay-as-you-go to test and use the system without being fully committed. 

**What is cloud computing?**
Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. On-demand delivery, IT resources over the internet and Pay-as-you-go pricing are some of it's key defining factors. 

**Client-server model**

A client can be a web browser or desktop application that a person interacts with to make requests to computer servers.

A server can be services such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), a type of virtual server.
For example, suppose that a client makes a request for a news article, the score in an online game, or a funny video. The server evaluates the details of this request and fulfills it by returning the information to the client.

**What are the benefits of cloud computing?**

-  Trade upfront expense for variable expense
-  Stop spending money to run and maintain data centers 
-  Stop guessing capacity 
-  Benefit from massive economies of scale 
-  Increase speed and agility 
-  Go global in minutes

**What are some cloud service models and cloud deployment models?**
Cloud service and deployment methods provide different levels of control, flexibility, and management.

**Deployment models include**
   **Infrastructure as a service (laaS)**
Infrastructure as a service (laaS) contains the basic building blocks for cloud IT. It typically provides access to networking features, computers (virtual or on dedicated hardware), and data storage space. Infrastructure as a service provides the highest level of flexibility and management control over your IT resources.

  **Platform as a service (PaaS)**
Platform as a service (PaaS) removes the need for organizations to manage the underlying intrastructure (usually hardware and operating systems). They can focus on the deployment and management of applications. These tools give developers the ability to be more efficient because they don't need to worry about resource procurement, capacity planning, software maintenance, and patching.

 **Software as a service (Saas)**
 Software as a service (SaaS) is a completed software product that the service provider runs and manages. With a SaaS offering, you do not have to think about how the service is maintained or how the underlying infrastructure is managed. You only must think about how you will use that particular piece of software.

   **Deployment strategies include**
   **Cloud**
In a cloud-based deployment model, you can migrate existing applications to the cloud, or you can design and build new applications in the cloud. You can build those applications on low-level infrastructure that requires your IT staff to manage them. Alternatively, you can build them by using higher-level services that reduce the management, architecting, and scaling requirements of the core infrastructure.

 For example, a company might create an application that consists of virtual servers, databases, and networking components that are fully based in the cloud.

**Hybrid**
 In a hybrid deployment, cloud-based resources are connected to on-premises infrastructure. You can integrate cloud-based resources with legacy IT applications. You might want to use this approach in a number of situations. For example, you have legacy applications that are better maintained on premises, or government regulations require your business to keep certain records on premises. 

For example, suppose that a company wants to use cloud services that can automate batch data processing and analytics. However, the company has several legacy applications that are more suitable on premises and will not be migrated to the cloud. With a hybrid deployment, the company would be able to keep the legacy applications on premises while benefiting from the data and analytics services that run in the cloud.

 **On-premises**
 On-premises deployment is also known as a private cloud deployment. In this model, resources are deployed on premises by using virtualization and resource management tools. Increase resource utilization by using application management and virtualization technologies. 

For example, you might have applications that run on technology that is fully kept in your on- premises data center. Though this model is much like legacy IT infrastructure, its incorporation of application management and virtualization technologies helps to increase resource utilization.