About 10. Cloud Computing

 Cloud computing has revolutionised the way IT services are delivered and has become an important part of the computing sector. Cloud computing is internet-hosted computing, which means that it uses the internet to deliver data and other IT services such as storage, printing, server facilities. In other words, end users and organisations no longer need to have their own extensive network environment on the premises but can get the same services provided virtually over the internet. 

The fundamental difference between traditional networking and cloud computing is that the technical details of the system are hidden from the end user. This means the networking infrastructure does not have to be on the premises as it would be hosted off-site in the cloud. However, the end user can use the services without the fear of technical difficulties or disasters as they would be managed by the cloud service provider. Cloud computing is a natural evolution of networking and is adapting modern network-oriented technologies such as virtualisation, service-oriented architecture, utility computing and ubiquitous computing. 

This unit is designed to develop understanding of the fundamental concept of cloud computing, cloud segments and cloud deployment models and the need for cloud computing. Students will gain appreciation of issues associated with managing cloud service architecture and develop a critical awareness of cloud-computing-based projects. Topics included in the unit are the paradigms of networking, fundamentals of cloud computing, cloud computing architecture, deployment models, service models, security, technological drivers and cloud service providers. 

On successful completion of this unit, students will understand the concept, architecture and services of cloud computing. They will have hands-on experience of configuring a cloud service from major providers such as ECM, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and IBM and of implementing a simple cloud platform using open source software with an appropriate networking platform. As a result, students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.