Cloud Computing Glossary
|
Cloud Computing – computing model that refers to the process of engaging a remote network of computers, usually referred to as servers, to manage, store and process data through the internet. Cloud applications like Google Drive, Dropbox are used in facilitating this.
Key Characteristics
- On-demand self service
- Broad network access
- Resource pooling
- Rapid elasticity
- Measured service
Deployment Models
- Private Cloud
- Community Cloud
- Public Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
NIST’s definition |
| Cloud Application-. Also predominantly referred to as a cloud app, this is an external service or program residing on the cloud or hosted by third party computers. It facilitates remote computing. Examples include Dropbox and Google Drive, which are file storage and sharing cloud applications. |
| Cloud as a Service– Also largely knows as CaaS, cloud as a service refers to any third party managed and provided service which facilitates remote computing. It’s basically a cloud resource which is distributed through the internet. Some of the common examples of this include Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). |
| Cloud Bridge- This refers to a secure IPSEC VPN tunnel which connects two or more cloud environments to facilitate communication between them. It’s commonly used to connect private infrastructures to service providers’ infrastructures to power communication between private and public clouds. The consequent hybrid cloud environments allow users to leverage and benefit from both cloud types. |
| Cloudburst- This is a measure used to indicate and gauge cloud application/solution’s performance and capability within third party cloud platforms. It’s also used to indicate the solution’s ability to be scaled to adapt to various operations and user needs. |
| Cloud governance and compliance- This refers to the process of applying and managing certain principles or policies on cloud computing to ensure they maintain the requisite security standards. The main goal of cloud governance and compliance is to safeguard user interests and ensure cloud services are managed, distributed and delivered in the best way possible. |
| Cloud Manageability- This is the control limit a user has over the overall cloud resources. It may, for instance, refer to the ability of the user to control the performance and amount of resources consumed on cloud computing processes. Private cloud environments are considered to be significantly more manageable than public cloud environments. |
| Cloud OS – Also known as Cloud Operating System, this refers to a special system software which manages the overall cloud computing software and hardware resources in a remote host. It also provides common services for programs and virtual machines. Some examples include Google Chrome OS and Microsoft Windows Azure. |
| Cloud-Oriented Architecture- Also widely referred to as COA, it’s a conceptual model made up of interrelated entities and elements networked to form a cloud environment. In other words, it collectively refers to all the elements linked to power and facilitate the overall cloud environment. |
| Cloud Platform- It refers to a service hosted and distributed by a third party service provider to facilitate the processing and deployment of apps without the complexity and cost of acquiring, installing and maintaining underlying software and hardware layers. |
| Cloud Portability- This is the ability of shifting data and applications between different cloud environments without disrupting standard processes and operations. |
| Cloud provider- Also referred to as a Cloud Service Provider or CSP, this is a third party company which distributes and manages cloud services for individuals or companies, typically as Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Examples include Vmware, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. |
| Cloud Pyramid- This refers to the overall systematic set of interdependent layers which collectively make up the cloud environment. Typically, the underlying layers support the overlying layers. For instance, cloud infrastructure could be at the bottom, followed by cloud platform and ultimately completed by cloud application. |
| Cloud Security- This refers to a set of control-based measures, policies and technologies designed and implemented to protect cloud infrastructure, applications and data. To limit potential compromises, they have to adhere to a set of compliance rules. Examples of cloud security measures include password protection and data encryption. |
| Cloud Service Architecture- This is a conceptual model made up of interrelated components which collectively make up a cloud service. |
| Cloud Sourcing- This is the process of outsourcing specialized cloud services, products and resources to third parties for deployment, maintenance and provision of individual services. Service providers engage in this by cloud sourcing some of their services to other service providers. |
| Cloud Standards- This is an acceptable technological and service level of quality which applies to various cloud service providers according to their individual resources and service delivery. It’s regulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). |
| Cloud Storage- This is a data storage model whereby data is saved in third party managed physical storage servers which are remotely accessible. Managed by cloud service providers, the physical storage servers usually span multiple layers and are allocated according to the storage needs of individual users. |
| Cloudwashing- This the act done by a vendor purposefully or deceptively rebrand an old service or product by linking or attaching it to the word cloud. This is done to attract new subscriptions from unknowing clients. |
| Customer self-service- This is a cloud feature provided by a cloud service provider to allow customers to remotely and electronically retrieve information and execute simple support tasks without the help of an additional customer care representative. The main objective of the service is empowering customers to cater to some of their needs without third party technical help. |
| Elasticity and scalability- This refers to the ability of a program, service or resource to be conveniently expanded or resized to cater to the changing user needs. A scalable application should be able to efficiently function when expanded or shifted to a bigger operating system. An example of a scalable resource is cloud storage, which can be effectually expanded to suit user needs. |
| Elastic computing- This is a cloud computing concept where a cloud service provider distributes flexible resources which can either be scaled up or down according to user preferences and needs. It may also refer to the ability to provide flexible resources which can be expanded or resizes when and wherever needed. Some of the affected resources include bandwidth, storage and processing power. |
| HaaS- Also commonly referred to as Hardware as a Service, HaaS refers to the provision of hardware resources which are managed and distributed by third party service providers. |
| Hosted application– This is a distributed program, typically as Software as a Service, which allows users to remotely operate and execute tasks. It’s usually hosted by physical servers managed by cloud service providers. |
| Hybrid cloud- This is a cloud architecture made up of interlinked public and private cloud which perform distinct operations within the same organization. |
| Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)- This is a fundamental cloud service alongside Software as a Service and Platform as a Service, which encompasses the provision of virtualized computing resources which are remotely accessed through the internet. The resources are deployed and managed by cloud service providers. |
| Internal cloud- Contrary to the public cloud, the internal cloud is cloud environment which is entirely hosted by an organization’s infrastructure and dedicated resources. It contains all the relevant cloud components like shared virtualized resources, and is entirely managed by the organization. |
| Middleware- This is the software that links up different enterprise applications or software components. It lies between the OS and programs on either side of a distributed computer network. |
| On-demand Service- This is a service that avails resources like software, storage and cloud computers in real time, allowing users to provision raw cloud resources at run time, where and when needed. Any resource adjustments are usually executed in live environments without affecting on-going operations. |
| Personal cloud- Unlike the public cloud which is accessible by the public through individual accounts, the personal cloud is a private type of network-attached storage cloud that’s based in devices. Devices like smartphones, smart tvs, gaming consoles, etc are interconnected by a network, through which they access files and data from a central secure and private storage. |
| Platform as a Service (PaaS)- This is a cloud service managed by third party service providers, that’s distributed to provide platforms where users can host, run, develop or test their own programs without worrying about the complexities and costs of acquiring support infrastructure. Examples include Apache Stratos, Google App Engine, Force.com, Heroku, Windows Azure and AWS Elastic Beanstalk |
| Public cloud – This is a cloud environment shared by many users at the same time, where resources are distributed according to the “server slices” bought by the respective users. Such resources are mostly accessed through password protected accounts. |
| SaaS Software as a Service- Also commonly referred to as on-demand software or SaaS, Software as a Service is a centrally hosted application distributed by service providers over the internet for users to utilize on a subscription basis. Examples include Concur, Workday, Salesforce and Google Apps. |
| Service level agreement SLA – This is a type of contract between a user and service provider that comprehensively defines all the critical aspects of the service including responsibilities, quality and scope. |
| Utility computing- This is a service distribution model where the CSP provides resources to users and fails to charge flat rate subscriptions, but rather on the usage of individual resources. The more you use such resources, the more you end up paying. |
| Vertical cloud- This refers to specially optimized cloud, whose services are aligned for a specific application use or industry. |
| Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)- This is a cloud model where the service provider segments or isolates various public cloud components to form individual private cloud environments. It’s a public cloud environment which has been configured to support and host a private cloud environment. A good example of this is the Amazon Virtual Private Cloud. |