INFOLINK UNIVERSITY COLLAGE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Selected topics in computer science Group Assignment

Title: Cloud computing

No. Members Name ID.No
1. HENOK ZELEKE_______________________________58324-13

2. LEULE BIRHANU______________________________38459-13

3. LEALEM BIRHANU ____________________________69425-13

4. ASRAT KEBEDE _______________________________65898-13

5. TEMESGEN TESFAYE __________________________52347-13

Submitted to: Mr. Girmay Tekle

Submission date: 21/08/2024

Hawassa, Ethiopia

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1.1. Introduction
Definition: Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services including servers, storage,
databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the internet (“the cloud”) to
offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.

1.2. Understanding Cloud Computing

Basic Concepts

Virtualization: This is the process of creating multiple virtual instances of a single physical
resource. For example, a single server can be divided into multiple virtual machines, each
running its own operating system and applications.

Scalability: This refers to the ability to easily increase or decrease computing resources to meet
changing demands. Cloud computing platforms offer scalable resources, allowing businesses to
adjust their capacity as needed.

Elasticity: This is a subset of scalability that focuses on the ability to quickly and automatically
adjust resources based on demand. Cloud platforms often provide automatic scaling mechanisms
to ensure optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

Service Models

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This model provides the fundamental building blocks of IT
infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, and operating systems. Customers have
granular control over the resources and can customize them to their specific needs. Examples of
IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud
Platform.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): This model provides a cloud-based platform for developing,
testing, and deploying applications. It includes tools and services for application development,
database management, and runtime environments. PaaS simplifies the development and
deployment process, allowing developers to focus on building applications rather than managing

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infrastructure. Examples of PaaS providers include Heroku, Google App Engine, and AWS
Elastic Beanstalk.

Software as a Service (SaaS): This model delivers software applications over the internet on a
subscription basis. Customers access the software through a web browser or mobile app and do
not need to install or maintain the software on their own devices. Examples of SaaS applications
include Salesforce, Dropbox, and Google Workspace.

Deployment Models

Public Cloud: This model is owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider, who
delivers computing resources over the internet. Public clouds are typically the most cost-
effective option and offer a wide range of services.

Private Cloud: This model is dedicated to a single organization, which may own or lease the
infrastructure. Private clouds offer greater control and security but can be more expensive to set
up and maintain.

Hybrid Cloud: This model combines elements of public and private clouds, allowing
organizations to leverage the benefits of both. Hybrid clouds can be used to migrate workloads
between public and private environments based on specific needs.

Multi-Cloud: This model involves using multiple cloud providers simultaneously. Multi-cloud
can help organizations avoid vendor lock-in, improve resilience, and optimize costs.

1.3. Benefits of Cloud Computing

The significance of cloud computing in today's world is undeniable. It has revolutionized the
way businesses and individuals operate, offering numerous benefits that have become
increasingly essential in the digital age. Some of the key reasons why cloud computing is so
significant:

Cost-effectiveness: Cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront capital investments in
hardware and infrastructure. Businesses can pay for resources as they use them, reducing costs
and improving financial flexibility.

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Scalability: Cloud platforms allow businesses to easily scale their resources up or down to meet
changing demands. This means they can handle peak workloads without investing in excess
capacity or facing downtime due to insufficient resources.

Flexibility: Cloud computing offers a high degree of flexibility, enabling businesses to quickly
adapt to new market conditions or business requirements. They can access a wide range of
services and applications, tailoring their IT infrastructure to specific needs.

Efficiency: Cloud providers manage and maintain the underlying infrastructure, allowing
businesses to focus on their core competencies rather than IT operations. This can lead to
improved efficiency and productivity.

Innovation: Cloud computing enables businesses to access advanced technologies and services,
such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics, which can drive
innovation and competitive advantage.

Accessibility: Cloud computing makes technology accessible to businesses and individuals of all
sizes. It eliminates the need for significant upfront investments, making it easier for startups and
small businesses to compete with larger enterprises.

1.4. Cloud Computing Use Cases

Business Applications

E-commerce: Online retailers use cloud computing to manage their websites, process payments,
and store customer data.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Cloud-based CRM systems help businesses

manage customer interactions, sales pipelines, and marketing campaigns.

Human Resources (HR): Cloud-based HR software can streamline recruitment, onboarding,

performance management, and payroll processes.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Cloud ERP systems integrate various business functions,
including finance, accounting, supply chain management, and human resources.

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Collaboration Tools: Cloud-based collaboration tools, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft
365, enable teams to work together remotely and share documents, spreadsheets, and
presentations.

Industries

Healthcare: Cloud computing is used in healthcare for electronic health records, medical
imaging, telemedicine, and research.

Financial Services: Banks and insurance companies use cloud computing for data analysis, risk
management, and compliance.

Manufacturing: Cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (MES) can optimize production

processes, improve quality control, and reduce costs.

Education: Cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) enable online education, virtual
classrooms, and collaborative learning.

Media and Entertainment: Streaming services, video production, and content distribution rely
heavily on cloud computing.

Case Studies

Netflix: Netflix has successfully leveraged cloud computing to scale its streaming platform
globally, handle massive amounts of data, and deliver personalized recommendations to millions
of users.

Airbnb: Airbnb uses cloud computing to manage its platform, connect hosts with guests, and
handle payments. The company has been able to scale rapidly and expand its operations to
various countries.

These are just a few examples of how businesses across various industries are benefiting from
cloud computing. The versatility and scalability of cloud solutions have made them a valuable
tool for organizations of all sizes.

1.5. Challenges and Considerations

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Security

Data breaches: Cloud environments can be vulnerable to data breaches, such as unauthorized
access, data theft, and malware attacks.

Mitigation strategies: To mitigate security risks, organizations should implement robust security
measures, including:

 Strong access controls and authentication

 Encryption of data at rest and in transit
 Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
 Incident response plans
 Compliance with relevant security standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)
Data Privacy

Data sovereignty: Concerns may arise about the location of data and whether it is subject to the
jurisdiction of different countries.

Data retention and deletion: Organizations need to consider how long data will be retained in the
cloud and how it will be deleted when no longer needed.

Third-party access: Cloud providers may have access to sensitive data, raising concerns about
data privacy and confidentiality.

Vendor Lock-in

Dependency on cloud provider: Organizations may become dependent on a specific cloud

provider, limiting their flexibility and increasing costs.

Migration challenges: Switching to a different cloud provider can be complex and time-
consuming, involving data migration, application reconfiguration, and potential disruptions to
business operations.

Cost implications: Vendor lock-in can lead to higher costs, as organizations may have limited
bargaining power with their cloud provider.

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To mitigate the risks of vendor lock-in, organizations can:

 Adopt a multi-cloud strategy: Using multiple cloud providers can help reduce
dependency on a single vendor and provide greater flexibility.
 Develop portability strategies: Organizations can develop strategies to make their
applications and data more portable, reducing the challenges of migrating to a different
cloud provider.
 Negotiate favorable terms: Organizations should negotiate favorable terms with their
cloud provider, including pricing, service level agreements (SLAs), and exit clauses.

1.6. Future Trends in Cloud Computing

Emerging Technologies

Edge Computing: This involves processing data closer to the source, rather than sending it to a
centralized data center. This can reduce latency, improve response times, and enable real-time
applications.

Serverless Computing: This model allows developers to build and run applications without
managing servers. It offers scalability, cost-efficiency, and reduced operational overhead.

Quantum Computing: While still in its early stages, quantum computing has the potential to
revolutionize various industries by solving complex problems that are intractable for classical
computers. It could be used for drug discovery, materials science, and optimization problems.

Industry Predictions

Increased adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud: As organizations seek greater flexibility and avoid
vendor lock-in, hybrid and multi-cloud deployments are expected to become more prevalent.

Enhanced security and privacy: With growing concerns about data breaches and privacy
violations, cloud providers will continue to invest in advanced security measures to protect
customer data.

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Integration with artificial intelligence and machine learning: Cloud platforms will increasingly
integrate with AI and ML tools, enabling businesses to leverage these technologies for data
analysis, automation, and predictive analytics.

Sustainability and green computing: As environmental concerns grow, cloud providers will
focus on developing more sustainable and energy-efficient data centers and technologies.

Convergence of cloud and edge computing: The combination of cloud and edge computing will
create new opportunities for real-time applications, IoT, and industrial automation.

These are just some of the emerging trends and predictions for the future of cloud computing. As
the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and disruptive
developments in the years to come.

1.7. Conclusion
Cloud computing has become an integral part of modern business operations, offering numerous
benefits such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. As we have discussed,
cloud computing has a wide range of applications across various industries, from e-commerce to
healthcare and finance.

While cloud computing offers significant advantages, it is important to be aware of the potential
challenges and considerations, including security risks, data privacy concerns, and vendor lock-
in. By understanding these challenges and implementing appropriate strategies, organizations can
mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of cloud computing.

As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and disruptive
developments in the cloud space. Emerging technologies like edge computing, serverless
computing, and quantum computing will likely reshape the way we use and leverage cloud
services.

In conclusion, cloud computing is a powerful tool that can help businesses to achieve their goals
and stay competitive in today's digital world. By understanding the fundamentals, exploring the
benefits and challenges, and embracing the future trends, organizations can effectively harness
the power of cloud computing to drive innovation and success.

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 References
 Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach by Thomas Erl

 Cloud Computing: Principles and Paradigms by Rajkumar Buyya, Chee-Yong Chan, and
Bhargava Vinay

 Cloud Computing: A Beginner's Guide by Neil McAllister

 Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/

 edX: https://www.edx.org/

 Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/

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