What is Cloud Computing?

 Cloud Computing: Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient,

on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g.,

networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and

released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. The three main

Cloud Computing models are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service

(SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

Cloud Backup: Cloud backup is the process of backing up data to a remote cloud-based

server.

Cloud Broker: A third-party entity (individual or institution) that acts like an

intermediary and facilitates the selection of Cloud Computing services on behalf of the

Organization.

Cloud Migration: Cloud migration is the process of transferring all of or a part of an

organization‟s data, applications, and services from on-premise to the cloud or within the

clouds.

Cloud Native: Applications developed specifically for cloud platforms.

Cloud Service Provider (CSP): A Cloud Service Provider (CSP) is a company that

offers a Cloud Computing service, such as PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS, to individuals or

businesses.

Cloud Sourcing: Cloud sourcing is the act of migrating all or a part of traditional onpremise IT operations to cloud services or within the cloud based services to meet

business objectives.

Cloud Storage: Cloud storage is a model of computer storage in which data is stored in

facilities (often multiple facilities) managed by a hosting company (Cloud Service

Provider) and is accessed remotely by the user via a network.

Community Cloud: The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a

specific community of consumers from the Organization that have shared concerns (e.g.,

mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be

owned, managed, and operated by one or more of the Organization in the community, a

third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.

Container: A container is a virtualization instance in which the kernel of an operating

system allows for multiple isolated user-space instances. Unlike Virtual Machines

(VMs), containers do not need to run a full-blown Operating System (OS) image for each

instance. Instead, containers are able to run separate instances of an application within a

single shared OS.

Content Delivery Network (CDN): A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a network of

distributed services that deliver content to a user based on the user‟s geographic

proximity to servers. CDNs allow speedy content delivery for websites with high traffic

volume or large geographic reach.

Elasticity: In Cloud Computing, elasticity is a term used to reference the ability of a

system to adapt to changing workload demand by provisioning and de-provisioning

pooled resources so that provisioned resources match current demand.

Extensibility: The ability of a cloud solution to add new runtime and framework support

via community build packs.

External Cloud: A private or public customized cloud solution provided by a third-party

outside the Organizations to meet client requirements.

Host Machine: A host machine is a piece of physical hardware that hosts virtual

machines.

Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a Cloud Computing environment that is comprised of

a mix of private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises solutions. In a hybrid cloud,

private and public cloud infrastructures remain distinct from one another but are bound

together by technology that allows data and services portability between them.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a model of

Cloud Computing in which the vendor hosts virtualized computing resources, as well as

network and storage resources, and provides them to the user as a service via the internet.

Internal Cloud: A Cloud Computing service model that is implemented within the

Organizations‟ physical boundaries using dedicated resources and IT infrastructure. It is

basically a private cloud instance meant ideally for in-house use.

Managed Service Provider (MSP): A Managed Services Provider (MSP) is an IT

services provider that provides fully outsourced network, application, and system

services across a network to clients.

Microservices: Microservices or microservice architecture is a way of designing

applications in which complex applications are built out of a suite of small,

independently deployable services. These „microservices‟ run their own processes and

communicate with one another using lightweight mechanisms such as language-agnostic

APIs. Microservices are independently deployable and scalable, and can even be written

in different languages.

Multi-Cloud: A multi-cloud strategy is the concurrent use of separate Cloud Service

Providers for different infrastructure, platform, or software needs. A multi-cloud

approach can help prevent vendor lock-in, and may help an enterprise deal with diverse

workloads as well as partners. However, a multi-cloud approach can complicate many

processes, such as security and governance, and a Cloud management platform is

recommended for this approach.

Multi-Tenancy: Multi-Tenancy is a mode of operation for software in which multiple

instances of one or many applications run in a shared environment. In a Cloud

Computing model, pooled physical and virtual resources are dynamically assigned and

reassigned to tenants according to consumer demand.

On-Demand Self-Service: A Cloud Computing service model by which a customer can

provision additional cloud resources on-demand, without involving the service provider.

Resources are typically provisioned through an online control panel.

On-Premise Technology: On-Premise technology is software or infrastructure that is

run on computers on the premises (in the building) of the person or the Organization

using the software or infrastructure.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a model of Cloud

Computing in which a vendor provides the hardware and software tools necessary to

create, deploy and manage applications at scale to the user via the internet, as a service.

Private Cloud: A private cloud is a cloud infrastructure that is provisioned for use by

single organization comprised of multiple users. A private cloud is managed and

operated by the organization, a third party, or some combination of them, and it can exist

on or off premises.

Public Cloud: A public cloud is a cloud infrastructure that is hosted by cloud services

provider and is made available to the public via internet.

Scalability: Scalability is the ability of a process, system, or framework to handle a growing workload. In other words, a scalable system is adaptable to increasing demands. The ability to scale on demand is one of the biggest advantages of Cloud Computing.

Service Level Agreement (SLA): A service level agreement (SLA) is a contractual

agreement between a customer and a Service Provider which defines the level of service,

availability and performance guaranteed by the Service Provider.

Function as a service (FaaS)/ Serverless Computing: It is a platform for providing

compute, storage, and network resources without the need of managing machines. In this

execution model, the cloud provider runs the server and dynamically allocates

machine resources without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS): Software as a service (SaaS), is a model of Cloud

Computing in which applications (software) are hosted by a vendor and provided to the

user as a service. SaaS applications are licensed on a subscription basis and are made

available to users over a network, typically the internet. Because SaaS applications can

be accessed at any time, at any place, and on any platform, they have become a popular

model for delivery of many business applications.

Vendor Lock-in: Vendor lock-in is when a customer finds themselves “locked-in” or

stuck with a certain Cloud Service Provider (CSP). Vendor lock-in is characterized by

extreme difficulty in moving from one cloud vendor to another, usually due to lack of

standardized protocols, APIs, data structures, and service models.

Vertical Cloud: A vertical cloud is a Cloud Computing solution that is built or

optimized for a specific business vertical such as manufacturing, financial services, or

healthcare.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a

desktop operating system hosted within a virtual machine.

Virtual Machine (VM): A virtual machine is a software computer that runs an operating

system or application environment, just as physical hardware would. The end-user has

the same experience on a VM as on dedicated hardware.

Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM): The program that is used to manage processor

scheduling and physical memory allocation. It creates virtual machines by partitioning

the actual resources, and interfaces the underlying hardware (virtual operating platform)

to all operating systems (both host and guest).