Lecture-04: Cloud Computing Architecture (CC)

Cloud computing architecture refers to the components and sub-components required for cloud computing. These components typically refer to:

·       Front end ( Fat client, Thin client)
·       Back-end platforms ( Servers, Storage )
·       Cloud-based delivery and a network ( Internet, Intranet, Intercloud )

Front-End

It provides applications and the interfaces that are required for the cloud-based service.
It consists of client’s side applications, which are web browsers such as Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
Cloud infrastructure is the only component of the front-end.

Cloud infrastructure consists of hardware and software components such as data storage, server, virtualization software, etc.
It also provides a Graphical User Interface to the end-users to perform respective tasks.

In short, “the front end is the end that the client interacts with.”

Back-End

It is responsible for monitoring all the programs that run the application on the front-end

It has a large number of data storage systems and servers. The back-end is an important and huge part of the whole cloud computing architecture.

The back end is everything the user does not usually see and everything that processes the data. The service provider uses the back end to manage all the resources required to provide cloud computing services, such as data storage, security mechanisms, virtual machines, deploying models, servers, traffic control mechanisms, and so on. In short, “the back end is the end that service provider interacts with.”

Components of cloud computing architecture

There are various components of cloud architecture. Some of those components are:

Client infrastructure: The client infrastructure component is a frontend component that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for users to interact with the cloud.
Application: An application is any platform, such as an app or software, provided by a company through which clients can access the cloud.
Service: A cloud service manages the type of service a client uses based on his needs. There are three types of services: SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), and IaaS (infrastructure as a service).
Runtime cloud: The runtime cloud offers virtual machine implementation and runtime environment.
Storage: The cloud computing storage component provides storage space in the cloud for managing and storing data. Cloud storage is of three types: public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.
Infrastructure: The infrastructure component provides services on three levels: the host, the application, and the network. It includes the software and hardware components required to support the cloud computing model, such as storage network devices, servers, and other storage resources.
Management: The management component is in charge of managing backend components such as storage services, applications, runtime cloud infrastructure, and security issues, as well as establishing coordination.
Security: Security is the backend component of cloud computing that ensures data security in the cloud.
Internet: The internet is the medium through which the frontend and backend components communicate and interact.

Figure: Cloud Computing Architecture

Benefits of Cloud Computing Architecture

The cloud computing architecture is designed in such a way that:

It solves latency issues and improves data processing requirements
It reduces IT operating costs and gives good accessibility to access data and digital tools
It helps businesses to easily scale up and scale down their cloud resources
It has a flexibility feature which gives businesses a competitive advantage
It results in better disaster recovery and provides high security
It automatically updates its services
It encourages remote working and promotes team collaboration