¶ Step 1: Understand Cloud Computing
A cloud platform provides computing resources such as servers, storage, networking, and software over the internet.
Users can access these resources on demand without managing physical hardware.
A cloud platform typically offers:
- Compute – Virtual machines and containers
- Storage – Object, block, and file storage
- Networking – Virtual networks, IP addresses, firewalls
- Databases – Managed relational and NoSQL databases
Cloud services are delivered in different models:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – Virtual servers and storage
- PaaS (Platform as a Service) – Application runtime environments
- SaaS (Software as a Service) – Ready-to-use software applications
Cloud platforms can be deployed as:
- Public Cloud – Shared infrastructure over the internet
- Private Cloud – Dedicated infrastructure for one organization
- Hybrid Cloud – Combination of public and private clouds
¶ Step 5: On-Demand Resource Provisioning
Resources can be created or removed instantly based on demand.
Example:
- Launch a virtual server only when needed
- Scale resources automatically during high traffic
A typical workflow to create a cloud virtual machine:
- Select an operating system (e.g., Linux)
- Choose CPU, memory, and disk size
- Configure networking and security rules
- Launch the instance
Result:
- A Linux server is available over the internet via SSH
Hosting a website on a cloud platform:
- Create a virtual machine
- Install a web server (Apache/Nginx)
- Upload website files
- Access the site using a public IP or domain name
Cloud platforms charge based on usage:
- Pay for compute hours used
- Pay for storage consumed
- Pay for network traffic
This reduces upfront infrastructure costs.
¶ Step 9: Security and Management
Cloud platforms provide:
- Access control and authentication
- Network firewalls and security groups
- Monitoring and logging tools
- High availability and scalability
- Reduced hardware and maintenance costs
- Global accessibility
- Rapid deployment of services
A cloud platform delivers flexible computing resources over the internet, enabling users to build, deploy, and scale applications efficiently without managing physical infrastructure.