Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Definition

Cloud Computing is a model that enables 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.

Key Concepts

• On-Demand Self-Service
• Broad Network Access
• Resource Pooling
• Rapid Elasticity
• Measured Service

Detailed Explanation

Cloud computing is defined by several key characteristics that distinguish it from traditional computing models. These characteristics ensure that cloud computing is flexible, efficient, and scalable, providing significant advantages for both businesses and individual users.

1. On-Demand Self-Service:

   • Users can provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider.
   • This feature allows for immediate deployment of resources, facilitating quick responses to changing business needs.

2. Broad Network Access:

   • Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations).
   • This ensures that services are accessible from any location with internet connectivity, promoting remote work and mobility.

3. Resource Pooling:

   • The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand.
   • This pooling of resources provides economies of scale and efficiency gains.

4. Rapid Elasticity:

   • Capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released, in some cases automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand.
   • For consumers, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be appropriated in any quantity at any time.

5. Measured Service:

   • Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts).
   • Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Diagrams

Diagram 1: Cloud Computing Characteristics

Diagram 2: Elasticity in Cloud Computing

Links to Resources

• NIST Cloud Computing Definition
• IBM Cloud Computing Concepts
• AWS Cloud Computing Concepts

Notes and Annotations

• Summary of Key Points:

  • Cloud computing is characterized by on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service.
  • These characteristics ensure flexibility, scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

• Personal Annotations and Insights:

  • On-demand self-service and rapid elasticity are particularly beneficial for startups and small businesses, allowing them to scale resources dynamically without large upfront investments.
  • Resource pooling and measured service promote efficient use of resources, enabling providers to offer competitive pricing and ensuring users pay only for what they use.

Backlinks

• Scalability in Cloud Computing
• Case Studies on Cloud Flexibility

These notes encapsulate the fundamental characteristics of cloud computing, providing a clear understanding of what makes cloud computing an attractive and efficient model for modern IT infrastructure.