Cloud Computing Secrets

Cloud computing refers to online services and resources accessible from anywhere, whenever you need them, rather than having software or infrastructure installed locally on your computer or network. Instead, a cloud provider maintains all hardware and software offsite and makes it available to consumers over the Internet. This on-demand delivery model eliminates large upfront capital costs and allows for greater flexibility to scale capacity as needs change.

Common cloud computing models categorized by how much control a user has over the technology infrastructure include: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). With IaaS, the client manages applications, data, and runtime settings. On PaaS, the client manages data and apps, while the provider handles runtime, middleware, O/S, and virtualization. SaaS is fully managed by the provider - the client only uses the application. This book explains the pros/cons of each approach in-depth to determine optimal use cases.

By leveraging shared, elastic infrastructure managed by specialized cloud companies, organizations can tap into sophisticated enterprise tech capabilities without having in-house expertise - driving faster innovation and greater agility. This book serves as your comprehensive guide into the transformative world of cloud computing.