Introduction to Cloud Computing - Lecture Notes
Prepared as class reference material.
Abstract
Cloud computing has revolutionized how organizations access and manage IT resources. This
lecture note introduces the fundamental concepts of cloud computing, its history, service models,
deployment approaches, and real-world applications. Students will also explore leading providers
and review exam-style questions.
History of Cloud Computing
The concept of cloud computing dates back to the 1960s with the idea of utility computing. It gained
momentum in the early 2000s with the launch of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Since then, cloud
adoption has grown rapidly, transforming industries across the globe.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
1. Cost Efficiency – Pay-as-you-go models reduce upfront capital costs. 2. Scalability – Resources
can be adjusted based on demand. 3. Flexibility – Access from anywhere with internet connectivity.
4. Innovation – Faster deployment of applications and services.
Service Models
The three primary service models are: • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized
computing resources such as servers and storage. • Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides an
environment for developing, testing, and deploying applications. • Software as a Service (SaaS):
Offers software applications delivered over the internet.
Deployment Models
1. Public Cloud – Operated by third-party providers and shared by multiple organizations. 2. Private
Cloud – Dedicated to a single organization, offering greater control and security. 3. Hybrid Cloud –
Combines both public and private clouds for flexibility. 4. Community Cloud – Shared by
organizations with common interests.
Case Study: Leading Cloud Providers
Provider Key Services Unique Strengths
AWS EC2, S3, Lambda First mover, broadest ecosystem
Microsoft Azure VMs, SQL Database, Functions Strong enterprise integration
Google Cloud Platform Compute Engine, BigQuery, Kubernetes Engine Expertise in AI/ML and data analytics
Key Terms & Definitions
• Virtualization: The creation of a virtual version of hardware, storage, or network. • Elasticity: The
ability to scale resources up or down as needed. • SLA (Service Level Agreement): A contract that
defines the expected level of service. • Multi-tenancy: Architecture where multiple customers share
the same computing resources.
Practice Questions
1. Define cloud computing in your own words. 2. Explain the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and
SaaS. 3. Discuss the benefits and risks of public cloud adoption. 4. Compare AWS, Azure, and
GCP in terms of their strengths. 5. What is the role of virtualization in cloud computing?
References
1. Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing. 2. Amazon Web Services
Documentation. https://aws.amazon.com 3. Microsoft Azure Documentation.
https://azure.microsoft.com 4. Google Cloud Documentation. https://cloud.google.com
