Cloud Computing Basics : A Non-Technical Introduction

Regardless of where your organization is in your cloud journey, moving to the cloud is an inevitability in the coming years. The cloud is here to stay, and now is the best time to identify optimal strategies to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks. Cloud Computing Basics is the practical, accessible entry point you have been seeking. Get an introduction to the basics of cloud computing and all five major cloud platforms. Author Anders Lisdorf ensures that you gain a fundamental cloud vocabulary and learn how to translate industry terms used by different vendors. Leveraging the economic and security benefits that the cloud provides can look very different for each organization, and Lisdorf uses his expertise to help you adapt your strategy accordingly. Cloud Computing Basics is here to bring your organization into the future. Whether you are a beginner on the topic or a tech leader kick-starting change within your company, this book provides essential insights for cloud adoption and its benefits for our modern digital era. Do not get left behind, and add Cloud Computing Basics to your tech bookshelf today. What You Will Learn Understand what the cloud is and how it differs from traditional on-premise solutions Gain a fundamental cloud vocabulary and learn how to translate between it and the terms used by different vendors Know the main components of the cloud and how they are used Be aware of the vendors in the cloud market, their strengths and weaknesses, and what to expect from them Tailor the optimal cloud solution to the organizational context Study different approaches to cloud adoption and the contexts in which they are suitable so you can determine how your organization will get the most benefit from the cloud Who This Book Is For A general business audience that wants to catch up on the basics of cloud computing in order to have informed conversations with technical professionals and vendors. The book is for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of what the cloud is, where it came from, and how it will impact every organization in the future. A basic understanding of information technology helps, but is not required. Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewers Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Cloud Foundations The History of the Term “Cloud” Why a Cloud? The Origin of the Term “Cloud” The Birth of the Cloud Computing Concept Definitions of Cloud Computing Essential Characteristics Service Models Deployment Models Toward a Concept of the Cloud The Cloud as a Utility Product Path Dependency Transferability Configuration Service Continuity Regulation Is the Cloud a Utility? Or More Like a Supermarket? The Cloud as a Service The Cloud as Layers Summary Chapter 2: Why Cloud? The Cloud Is the Future Drivers for Cloud Adoption Economy CAPEX to OPEX Total Cost of Ownership Economies of Scale Security Keeping Up with Threats Keeping Information Safe Resilience Scalability Focus Agility Sustainability Summary Chapter 3: The Genealogy of Cloud Computing Origin of the Computer Computing Machines The Binary Paradigm Digital vs. Analog Tubes, Transistors, and Integrated Circuits The Microprocessor The Origin of Interfaces Punch Cards to Terminals Timesharing and the Client/Server Paradigm Remote Connections The Origin of Communication ARPANET and TCP/IP World Wide Web The Origin of Software Operating Systems Virtualization Containers Databases Business Software Summary Chapter 4: IBM The History of IBM Building Business Machines The Beginnings of the Computer The Commoditization of Computing and the Downfall of IBM The Switch to Services, Software, and Hosting Entering the Cloud IBM’s Profile Recurring Revenue Rather Than Sales Preference for Big Customers Development, Patents Market Dominance Long-Term Relationship with Customers Holistic Focus Setting the Standards Dedication to Research Fast Follower Ubiquitous Presence Summary Chapter 5: Oracle The History of Oracle Database Beginnings The Fearsome Oracle Salesforce The Internet and the Future of Computing One Application to Run Your Business Hardware and Appliances and ... the Cloud Oracle Cloud Oracle’s Profile Great Technological Vision A Focus on Cutting Edge Engineering Exaggerated Marketing Creative Sales Complex Contracts and Incentives A Willingness to Release Buggy Software Early Market Leader Build or Buy and Integrate Summary Chapter 6: Microsoft The History of Microsoft Software Will Rule the World Becoming the Operating System of the Personal Computer Applications for Non-Programmers The Internet Hitting Refresh Building the Cloud Platform for the Future Microsoft’s Profile Fast Follower Release Early and Repair Ecosystem Builder Enterprise Ready Focus on Foundational Technologies Summary Chapter 7: Amazon The History of Amazon Origins Surviving the Dot-Com Crash Reorientation Building Primitives Amazon’s Profile Business Over Technology Low Margins and High Volume Decentralized and Autonomous Teams Advance Through Experiments Simple, Modular Design Focus on the Customer Experience Technical Innovator and Open Source Contributor Summary Chapter 8: Google The History of Google The Science Project Searching for a Thesis Subject The Quest for Speed and Scale Making Money, Too Much of It Building Data Centers Applications in the Cloud Entering the Cloud Platform Business Google’s Profile Machines over Humans Usability over Features Speed and Scale Technocracy Open Source Driver Long Tail In Beta Until Perfect Summary Chapter 9: Cloud Vendor Profiles Cloud Profiling Customer Orientation Assessment Vision Assessment Product Packaging Assessment End User Target Assessment Cloud Focus Assessment Summary Chapter 10: Cloud Technology Infrastructure Services Networks Compute The Anatomy of a Digital Computer Types of Compute Types of Instances Bare-Metal Servers Virtual Machines Containers Corresponding Compute Terms and Services Storage Corresponding Storage Terms and Services Platform Services Data Services Middleware Analytics Application Services Operational Services Serverless Functions Software Services What Is Characteristic About SaaS? Modular Solutions Human Resources Finance and Accounting Sales Customer Service Support Marketing Productivity Integrated Suites Summary Chapter 11: Securing the Cloud What Does “Secure” Mean? Security Is the Ability to Mitigate the Negative Impact of a System Breach Mitigation Has a Cost You Can Never Achieve 100% Protection and Still Have a Useful System The Job at Hand Is Not Just to Secure But to Balance Security and Utility How Does Cloud Security Differ? Tools for Securing the Cloud Identity and Access Management Traffic Management Encryption Security Assessment and Protection Good Security Practices for the Cloud Manage Your Data Securely Minimize Access to System Resources Segregate Duties Back Up Data Log and Review System Access Maintain Systems Monitor and Prevent Summary Chapter 12: Cloud Economy How the Cloud Can Impact an Organization’s Economy Increasing Revenue Agility Customer Retention New Customers Reducing Costs Direct Cost Savings Indirect Cost Savings Practical Guide to Leveraging the Economic Benefits of the Cloud Cost Model Budgeting and Account Structure Cost Monitoring Cost Optimization Summary Chapter 13: Working with the Cloud Changing Tasks in the Cloud Impact on Tasks in the Cloud Disappearing Tasks New Tasks Unchanged Tasks Tasks that Changed Roles in the Cloud Core Roles Solution Architect Developer Cloud Administrator Specializations Data Science Security Networking Database DevOps Managing the Changes in the Workforce Acquiring New Skills Online Resources Courses Partner Training Trial and Error Handling the Organizational Impact Chart the Possible Impact on the Workforce Develop Career Paths for the Cloud Redefine Identities and Communication Close the Skills Gap Summary Chapter 14: Adopting the Cloud Patterns of Adoption Cloud-Native Cloud-First Lift and Shift Offload Regional Autonomy Incremental Change Anarchy Experimental Summary Index Regardless of where your organization is in your cloud journey, moving to the cloud is an inevitability in the coming years. The cloud is here to stay, and now is the best time to identify optimal strategies to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks. Cloud Computing Basics is the practical, accessible entry point you have been seeking. Get an introduction to the basics of cloud computing and all five major cloud platforms. Author Anders Lisdorf ensures that you gain a fundamental cloud vocabulary and learn how to translate industry terms used by different vendors. Leveraging the economic and security benefits that the cloud provides can look very different for each organization, and Lisdorf uses his expertise to help you adapt your strategy accordingly. You will: Understand what the cloud is and how it differs from traditional on-premise solutions Gain a fundamental cloud vocabulary and learn how to translate between it and the terms used by different vendors Know the main components of the cloud and how they are used Be aware of the vendors in the cloud market, their strengths and weaknesses, and what to expect from them Tailor the optimal cloud solution to the organizational context Study different approaches to cloud adoption and the contexts in which they are suitable so you can determine how your organization will get the most benefit from the cloud Cloud Computing Basics is here to bring your organization into the future. Whether you are a beginner on the topic or a tech leader kick-starting change within your company, this book provides essential insights for cloud adoption and its benefits for our modern digital era. Do not get left behind, and add Cloud Computing Basics to your tech bookshelf today