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Unit II: Overview - Cloud Architecture

Lesson 9 of 30 in the free Cloud Computing notes on Siksha Sarovar, written by Rohit Jangra.

Unit II: Cloud Computing Architecture — Overview

This unit provides a structured exploration of Cloud Computing Architecture, covering the foundational concepts, reference models, cloud deployment types, economics, and infrastructure considerations that underpin modern cloud platforms.

What You Will Learn

  • How the Internet serves as a platform for cloud delivery
  • The Cloud Reference Model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and what each layer abstracts
  • Types of cloud deployments: Public, Private, Community, and Hybrid
  • Major computing platforms and technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP, OpenStack)
  • The economics of cloud computing: CapEx vs OpEx, pay-as-you-go, reserved, spot
  • Infrastructure and economics of private clouds
  • Economies of scale and software productivity advantages of public vs private clouds

Why Architecture Matters

Cloud architecture is not a single technology — it is a layered ecosystem of hardware, virtualization, middleware, and services. Understanding each layer empowers architects to make informed decisions about cost, compliance, scalability, and performance.

Key Architectural Principles

  • Abstraction: Hide physical complexity behind APIs and managed interfaces
  • Elasticity: Scale resources up or down dynamically based on demand
  • Fault Tolerance: Distribute workloads across availability zones and regions
  • Pay-per-use: Align cost directly with consumption, eliminating idle resource waste
  • Standardization: Use open standards (HTTP, REST, OAuth, OCI containers) to avoid lock-in

Unit Roadmap

The diagram below illustrates how each topic in Unit II connects to the central theme of Cloud Architecture:

Study Tips

  • Draw the IaaS/PaaS/SaaS stack from memory after Lesson 3
  • Compare monthly cloud bills for AWS vs Azure for the same workload
  • Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to validate the economics worked example in Lesson 6
  • Explore OpenStack DevStack for hands-on private cloud experience

This unit bridges theoretical models with practical deployment decisions you will encounter in real-world cloud engineering and architecture roles.