CHAPTER TWO

CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE
Contents…
Cloud computing architecture
Cloud types and services
Cloud deployment models
Cloud computing architecture
Cloud architecture is a key element of building the
cloud. It refers to the layout and connects all the
necessary components and technologies required
for cloud computing.
Cloud architecture dictates how components are
integrated so that you can pool, share, and scale
resources over a network.
Cloud architecture components
Cloud architecture components include:
1. A frontend platform
2. A backend platform
3. A cloud-based delivery model
4. A network (internet, intranet, or intercloud)
Cont…
Frontend platforms contain the client infrastructure—user
interfaces, client-side applications, and the client device or
network that enables users to interact with and access cloud
computing services.
The back end refers to the cloud architecture components that make
up the cloud itself, including computing resources, storage, security
mechanisms, management, and more.
 Cloud architecture layers
Here are the basic cloud architecture layers:
Hardware: The servers, storage, network devices, and other hardware that
power the cloud.
Virtualization: An abstraction layer that creates a virtual representation of
physical computing and storage resources. This allows multiple
applications to use the same resources.
Application and service: This layer coordinates and supports requests
from the frontend user interface, offering different services based on the
cloud service model, from resource allocation to application development
tools to web-based applications.
Cloud deployment models
When adopting cloud architecture, there are three
different types of cloud deployment models that help
deliver cloud computing services:
 public cloud
 private cloud and
 hybrid cloud
Public cloud
Public clouds deliver resources, such as storage,
network, and applications over the internet.
They are owned and run by third-party cloud service
providers like Google Cloud.
These can be free or on-demand, meaning that consumers pay for their CPU cycles, storage or
bandwidth per use.
Public clouds can also be deployed faster than on-site infrastructures with a platform almost
constantly scalable.
Private cloud
Private clouds are built, run, and used by a single
organization, typically located on-premises.
They provide greater control, customization, and data
security but come with similar costs and resource
limitations associated with traditional IT environments
Hybrid cloud
Environments that mix at least one private computing
environment (traditional IT infrastructure or private
cloud, including edge) with one or more public clouds
are called hybrid clouds.
They allow you to leverage the resources and services
from different computing environments and choose
which is the most optimal for the workloads.
The type of cloud deployment model and cloud service
model you choose will vary depending on your existing IT
investments, business requirements, and the outcomes
you are hoping to achieve.
Cloud types and services
Cloud computing services are divided into three classes:
(1) Infrastructure as a Service,
(2) Platform as a Service, and
(3) Software as a Service.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS delivers on-demand infrastructure resources,
such as storage, networking, and virtualization.
With IaaS, the service provider owns and operates the
infrastructure, but customers will need to purchase and
manage software, such as operating systems,
middleware, data, and applications
eg- Amazon Web Services
Characteristics of IaaS
Resources are available as a service
Services are highly scalable
Dynamic and flexible Cloud Service Model
GUI and API-based access
Automate the administrative tasks
Advantages of IaaS
Easy to automate the deployment of storage,
networking, and servers
it can be scaled up or downsized according to your
needs
Clients keep complete control of their underlying
infrastructure
Hardware purchases can be based on consumption.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS delivers and manages hardware and software
resources for developing, testing, delivering, and
managing cloud applications.
Service Providers typically offer middleware,
development tools, and cloud databases within their
PaaS offerings.
Eg- Google AppEngine,
Characteristics of PaaS
Builds on virtualization technology, so computing
resources can easily be scaled up (Auto-scale) or
down according to the organization’s needs.
Support multiple programming languages and
frameworks.
Integrates with web services and databases.
Advantages PaaS
Simple, cost-effective development and deployment of
apps
Developers can customize SaaS apps without the
headache of maintaining the software
Provide automation of Business Policy
Offers freedom to developers to focus on the
application’s design while the platform takes care of the
language and the database
It helps developers to collaborate with other
developers on a single app
Things to Consider Before PaaS
Implementation
Analyze your business needs, decide the automation
levels, and also decides whether you want a self-
service or fully automated PaaS model.
You need to determine whether to deploy on a private
or public cloud.
Plan through the customization and efficiency levels.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS provides a full application stack as a service that
customers can access and use.
SaaS solutions often come as ready-to-use
applications, which are managed and maintained by
the cloud service provider
Characteristics of SaaS
It is managed from a central location.
Hosted directly on a remote server.
SaaS users are not responsible for hardware and
software updates.
The services are purchased on a pay-as-per-use
basis.