Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—like servers, storage, databases,

networking, software, and more—over the internet (“the cloud”).

Instead of buying and maintaining physical hardware or software
Example: When you store photos in Google Drive, use Gmail, or stream movies on Netflix,
you’re using cloud computing — the data and software run on servers managed by companies
like Google, Amazon, or Microsoft, not on your local computer.

1️⃣ Servers
 Virtual machines or physical servers provided on-demand.
 Run applications and services without owning hardware.
2️⃣ Databases
 Cloud-hosted data storage solutions (e.g., Amazon RDS, Google Cloud SQL).
 Offer scalability, backups, and easy access.
3️⃣ Security
 Built-in protections like encryption, identity management, and network security.
 Providers often follow strict compliance standards.
4️⃣ Analytics
 Services for data processing and analysis (e.g., AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery).
 Generate insights from stored data.
5️⃣ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
 AI and machine learning tools (e.g., Azure Cognitive Services).
  Enable features like image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive
analytics.
6️⃣ Software
 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) apps delivered via the cloud (e.g., Gmail, Salesforce).
 No need to install or update locally.
7️⃣ Networking
 Cloud networking solutions connect resources across regions and datacentres.
 Provide secure, reliable, and fast communication between cloud services and users.

Characteristics and Benefits of cloud computing

No Benefit Explanation
.
1. Agility for organizations Organizations can quickly adapt to changes and deploy
new services or updates faster.
2. Cost Reduction Centralized data centres in cheaper locations reduce
infrastructure and operational costs.
3. Device and Location Access services from anywhere, anytime, without needing
Independence to maintain hardware or software.
4. Pay-per-use Model Users pay only for what they use, which increases
efficiency—ideal for systems often underutilized.
5. Performance Monitoring Cloud providers have expert IT teams to monitor system
performance and ensure reliability.
6. Increased Productivity Multiple users can work on the same data or document at
the same time—great for teamwork.
7. Time-saving Auto-filled fields and synced data reduce duplication and
manual entry.
8. High Availability Data and services remain online even if one server fails,
thanks to redundant backup sites.
9. Scalability and Resources can be scaled up or down dynamically without
Elasticity over-provisioning.
10. Self-service Interface Users can manage their services via simple dashboards or
web interfaces.
11. Virtualized Resources Hardware and software are abstracted, making it easier to
manage and use.
12. Improved Security Centralized storage and access control can increase
security compared to scattered systems.

Characteristics:
1. On-demand Self-Service
 Users can automatically provision computing capabilities like server time and
network storage, as needed, without requiring human interaction with each service
provider.
 Eg: Creating a virtual machine on AWS EC2 without contacting support.
2. Broad Network Access
 Services are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms
like laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc.
Eg: Accessing Google Docs or Dropbox from both mobile and desktop.
3. Resource Pooling
 Cloud providers use a multi-tenant model, where resources (like CPU, memory,
storage) are dynamically assigned and reassigned according to user demand.
Eg: Multiple users using Microsoft Azure's shared computing resources.
4. Rapid Elasticity
 Capabilities can be rapidly scaled out or in—automatically or manually—to meet
demand, appearing unlimited to the user.
Eg: Netflix adding more servers during a global release to handle high traffic.
5. Measured Service
 Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by metering usage,
allowing transparency for both the provider and consumer.
Eg: Amazon S3 charges you based on the exact storage and bandwidth used.
6. Cost-effective
 Pay only for what you use; no need to invest in hardware upfront—great for startups
and enterprises alike.
Eg: A startup using Firebase hosting instead of buying their own servers.
7. Scalability
 Easily scale your applications up or down based on user needs without downtime.
Eg: An online store scaling its website during Black Friday(the entire phrase refers to
a sale event focused on cloud computing services during the Black Friday shopping
period.) sales using cloud servers.
8. Reliability and Redundancy
 Cloud providers ensure data backup, disaster recovery, and replication, so data is
available even if hardware fails.
Eg: Gmail is always available—even if one server fails, another takes over.
9. Maintenance
 Cloud systems require less maintenance from the user side; updates and patches are
managed by the service provider.
Eg: Office 365 updates automatically without user effort.
Evolution of Cloud Computing:
1. 1960s – The Beginning (Mainframe Time-Sharing)
 Concept introduced by John McCarthy: “Computation may someday be organized as
a public utility.”
 Mainframe computers were very expensive, so multiple users accessed them using
time-sharing.
 Goal: Reduce cost by sharing one big computer among many users.
Example: Many students using the same lab computer one after another.
2. 1990s – Rise of Networking and Virtualization
 Internet and web became more widespread.
 Companies began offering Application Service Providers (ASPs) – hosting software
apps for customers.
 Virtualization technology improved – allowed running multiple systems on one
machine (like many computers inside one).
Example: Using a virtual lab or simulation environment in school computers.
3. Early 2000s – The Birth of Cloud Computing
 Companies like Amazon (AWS), Google, and Microsoft began building large data
centres.
 Amazon launched AWS (Amazon Web Services) in 2006 – considered the start of
modern cloud computing.
 Cloud started offering storage, computing power, databases via the Internet.
Example: Developers started using cloud to build and host websites without needing their
own servers.
4. 2010s – Growth and Adoption
 Cloud services became popular in business, education, healthcare, entertainment.
 SaaS (Software as a Service) apps like Gmail, Google Docs, and Dropbox became
widely used.
 Mobile apps and IoT (Internet of Things) started using cloud for storing and syncing
data.

Example: Students uploading files to Google Drive, accessing assignments from any
device.
5. 2020s – Advanced Cloud: AI, Edge & Hybrid
  Cloud integrated with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning (ML).
 Rise of Edge Computing (processing near the user/device) and Hybrid Cloud (mix of
private + public cloud).
 Platforms like Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS provide tools for big data, AI, IoT, etc.
Example: Using cloud-based AI tools like ChatGPT or voice assistants like Alexa.

Advantages of Cloud Computing with Examples

1. Cost
Cloud computing eliminates the need to invest heavily in physical hardware or
software.
Example: A startup can use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host its website
without buying servers, paying only for the resources used.
2. Speed
Resources can be deployed quickly with just a few clicks.
Example: Using Microsoft Azure, a developer can create a virtual machine in
minutes instead of waiting days for hardware setup.
3. Scalability
Cloud platforms can scale resources up or down based on demand.
Example: Netflix automatically scales its servers during peak hours to handle
millions of viewers and scales down when demand is low.
4. Productivity
Cloud computing reduces the need for regular maintenance and updates.
Example: With Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), businesses don't need to
install or update software—Google handles everything.
5. Reliability
Data is backed up and distributed across multiple data centers for high
availability.
Example: Dropbox stores user files in the cloud, allowing users to recover lost
data even if their device crashes.
6. Security
Cloud providers offer advanced security features like encryption, identity
management, and compliance.
Example: Salesforce provides secure customer relationship management
(CRM) tools, compliant with standards like GDPR and ISO.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing with Examples

 Internet Dependency
You need a proper internet connection to access cloud services. Without it, you cannot use
them.
Example: If your internet is down, you can't access your files on Google Drive or OneDrive.

 Less Control
The cloud service provider controls the infrastructure, so you don’t have full control over the
backend.
Example: You cannot change the way servers work in Amazon Web Services (AWS).

 Security and Privacy Issues

Your data is stored on someone else’s server, so there is a risk of data leaks or hacking.
Example: A cloud server gets hacked and sensitive data is exposed.

 Downtime (Service Outages)

Sometimes cloud services go offline due to maintenance or technical issues.
Example: Websites using cloud services like AWS may go down during an outage.

 Vendor Lock-in
Once you choose a cloud provider, it’s hard to move to another one due to compatibility
issues.
Example: Moving your apps from Microsoft Azure to Google Cloud can be difficult and
expensive.

 Long-term Costs
Even though it’s cheaper at first, monthly payments can add up over time.
Example: Paying monthly for cloud storage can be costlier than buying a hard drive for long-
term use.

 Compliance and Legal Issues

Some data must be stored in specific regions due to government laws.
Example: A company dealing with health records must follow HIPAA rules in the USA.

1. IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service

 Definition:
IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet such as
servers, storage, and networking hardware. Users manage the operating
systems, applications, and data.
 • The customers can access these resources over cloud computing
platform i.e Internet as an on-demand service.
• In IaaS, you buy complete resources rather than purchasing server,
software, datacenter space or network equipment.
• IaaS was earlier called as Hardware as a Service(HaaS).
It is a Cloud computing platform based model.
• HaaS differs from IaaS in the way that users have the bare hardware on
which they can deploy their own infrastructure using most appropriate
software.
• Some of the popular IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services
(AWS), Google Compute Engine,
OpenStack, and Eucalyptus.
 Examples:
o Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 – Virtual servers
o Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines
o Google Compute Engine
Characteristics:
 Delivered over the internet
 No installation required
 Pay-as-you-go or subscription-based
 Accessible from anywhere
 Managed entirely by the vendor (software, updates, data)
Advantages:
  No installation or maintenance required
 Accessible from anywhere with internet
 Cost-effective (subscription-based)
 Auto-updates and patches by provider
 Scales easily as business grows
Disadvantages:
 Limited control over features and performance
 Data security concerns (data is stored off-site)
 Requires reliable internet connection
 Integration with other software can be challenging

2. PaaS – Platform as a Service

 Definition:
PaaS offers a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage
applications without dealing with infrastructure. It simplifies app
development.
• A developer can easily write the application and deploy it directly into
PaaS layer.
• PaaS gives the runtime environment for application development and
deployment tools.
  Examples:
o Google App Engine
o Microsoft Azure App Service
o Heroku
Characteristics:
 Focus on app development without managing infrastructure
 Supports programming languages, libraries, and tools
 Scalability and flexibility for developers
 Integrated with databases, APIs, and testing tools
Advantages:
 Simplifies app development and deployment
 Reduces time to market
 Developers focus only on code (no server maintenance)
 Built-in scalability, testing, and integration tools
 Cost-effective for startups and developers
Disadvantages:
 Limited control over the underlying infrastructure
 Potential vendor lock-in
 May not support some legacy systems
 Security issues if multi-tenant environments are not isolated

3. SaaS – Software as a Service

 Definition:
SaaS delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription
basis. Users access it through browsers—no installation required.
SaaS is known as 'On-Demand Software'.
 • It is a software distribution model. In this model, the applications are
hosted by a cloud service provider and publicized to the customers over
internet.
• In SaaS, associated data and software are hosted centrally on the cloud
server.
• User can access SaaS by using a thin client through a web browser.
• CRM, Office Suite, Email, games, etc. are the software applications which
are provided as a service through Internet.
• The companies like Google, Microsoft provide their applications as a
service to the end users.
 Examples:
o Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive)
o Microsoft Office 365
o Salesforce CRM
o Zoom
Characteristics:
 Delivered over the internet
 No installation required
 Pay-as-you-go or subscription-based
 Accessible from anywhere
 Managed entirely by the vendor (software, updates, data)
Advantages:
 Full control over operating systems, storage, and apps
 Highly scalable resources
 Pay-as-you-go model reduces costs
 Fast provisioning of new resources
 Suitable for businesses with custom requirements
Disadvantages:
 Requires skilled IT staff to manage infrastructure
 Security and data privacy are user’s responsibility
 Can be expensive if not managed properly
 Complex setup for small businesses

LAYERED ARCHITECTURE OF CLOUD

A layered cloud architecture design is a hierarchical structure that separates
cloud computing resources into distinct layers, each with specific
responsibilities.
APPLICATION LAYER
The application layer, which is at the top of the stack, is where the actual cloud
apps are located.
This layer consists of different Cloud Services which are used by cloud users.
Users can access these applications according to their needs.
❖ In order for an application to transfer data, the application layer determines
whether communication partners are available. Whether enough cloud resources
are accessible for the required communication is decided at the application
layer.
The application layer, in particular, is responsible for processing IP traffic
handling protocols like Telnet and FTP. Other examples of application layer
systems include web browsers, SNMP protocols, HTTP protocols, or HTTPS,
which is HTTP's successor protocol.
PLATFORM LAYER
❖ The operating system and application software make up this layer.
Users should be able to rely on the platform to provide them with Scalability,
Dependability, and Security Protection which gives users a space to create their
apps, test operational processes, and keep track of execution outcomes and
performance. SaaS application implementation's application layer foundation.
The objective of this layer is to deploy applications directly on virtual machines.
Operating systems and application frameworks make up the platform layer,
which is built on top of the infrastructure layer. The platform layer's goal is to
lessen the difficulty of deploying programmers directly into VM containers.
Google App Engine functions at the platform layer to provide API support for
implementing storage, databases, and business logic of ordinary web apps.

INFRASTRUCTURE LAYER
• It is a layer of virtualization where physical resources are divided into a
collection of virtual resources using virtualization technologies like Xen, KVM,
and VMware.
• This layer serves as the Central Hub of the Cloud Environment, where
resources are constantly added utilizing a variety of virtualization techniques.
• A base upon which to create the platform layer. constructed using the
virtualized network, storage, and computing resources. Give users the flexibility
they want.
• Automated resource provisioning is made possible by virtualization, which
also improves infrastructure management.
The infrastructure layer sometimes referred to as the virtualization layer,
partitions the physical resources using virtualization technologies like Xen,
KVM, Hyper-V, and VMware to create a pool of compute and storage
resources.
• The infrastructure layer is crucial to cloud computing since virtualization
technologies are the only ones that can provide many vital capabilities, like
dynamic resource assignment.
DATA CENTER LAYER
In a cloud environment, this layer is responsible for Managing Physical
Resources such as servers, switches, routers, power supplies, and cooling
systems.
• Providing end users with services requires all resources to be available and
managed in data
centers.
• Physical servers connect through high-speed devices such as routers and
switches to the data center.
A single database used by many microservices creates a very close coupling. As
a result, it is hard to deploy new or emerging services separately if such services
need database modifications that may have an impact on other services.