Lecture Notes on Cloud Services

Introduction to Cloud Services

• Cloud computing is integral to business and technology strategies.
• Cloud services provide flexibility, elasticity, and self-service resources.
• Foundational cloud services include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
• IaaS offers access to compute and storage resources on demand.
• PaaS sits on top of IaaS to build applications.
• Cloud services support both business model transformation and technology transformation.

Understanding Cloud Fundamentals

Cloud Basics

• Provides shared computing resources (applications, computing, storage, etc.).
• Turns siloed computing into shared pools of resources.

Cloud Delivery Models

• IaaS: Delivery of hardware, software, storage, network, and data center space.
• PaaS: Combines IaaS with middleware, software development, and deployment tools.
• SaaS: Business applications hosted by providers in a shared model.

Cloud Models

• Public Cloud: Open and shared environment.
• Private Cloud: Tightly managed with high-level security.
• Hybrid Cloud: Mix of public and private cloud services.

Key Features

• Elasticity and Self-service Provisioning: Resources can be provisioned and de-provisioned as needed.
• Billing and Metering: Tracks resource usage.
• Workload Management: Optimization of resources.

IaaS and PaaS Explained

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• Provides virtualized computing resources on demand.
• Key features include renting, self-service provisioning, dynamic scaling, service levels, licensing, and metering.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• Abstracted environment for application development and deployment.
• Benefits include improved development life cycle, standardization, and ease of service provisioning.

Cloud Economics

Developing an Economic Strategy

• Compare traditional data models with cloud services.
• Assess workloads and use a cost estimator tool for real-world cost calculations.

Cost Considerations

• Evaluate server, storage, network, and support personnel costs.
• Consider cost savings and benefits of cloud services.

Managing Cloud Workloads

Understanding Workloads

• Types: Batch, Database, Analytic, Transactional, Test/Development.

Workload Management in Hybrid Cloud

• Manage workload transparency, dependency, and optimization across environments.
• Importance of APIs and standard workload layers.

Security, Governance, and Reliability

Cloud Security

• Assess risks including physical security, HR security, business continuity, disaster recovery.
• Implement identity and access management, encryption, and key management.

Cloud Governance

• Governance involves applying policies related to cloud services.
• Risks include audit compliance, security, performance, and interoperability.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

• Define uptime, availability, and performance expectations.

Starting Your Cloud Journey

Integrating Business and Cloud Strategies

• Align cloud strategies with business goals and IT resources.
• Consider private and public IaaS and PaaS models.

Accelerating Momentum

• Gain IT acceptance and manage cloud services effectively.
• Plan for a successful journey by considering business and implementation factors.

Transforming IT with Cloud

• Adapt IT environments to business change using IaaS and PaaS for scalability and flexibility.