These models not only identify what type of services are being offered, but also how those services are being delivered. For the purposes of the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals examination, we will focus mainly on cloud models, specifically the public, private, and hybrid models.
Public Cloud Model
A public cloud model is one that is governed by a third-party service provider through the internet. Examples include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform. In this model, all resources, including servers, storage, and applications, are operated by the cloud provider.
The primary advantages of a public cloud are:
- It eliminates the need to invest in localized hardware and maintenance.
- It is highly scalable and can adjust to fluctuations in the demand.
- It operates on a “pay as you go” basis – you pay only for what you use.
- It provides excellent reliability.
However, it also comes with potential disadvantages, mainly surrounding security and control. Being an open network, public cloud networks are perceived to be more vulnerable to breaches. Moreover, given that your data and applications are managed by the cloud provider, control is significantly reduced.
Private Cloud Model
A private cloud model, sometimes known as corporate or internal cloud, is one that is reserved for a single organization. The organization will host the resources either in a data center located on-site or will hire an external service provider to host for them.
The advantages of a private cloud are:
- It offers increased control and customization – the organization can tailor the environment to meet specific business needs.
- It offers enhanced security – private clouds are ideal for organizations with rigorous security or data privacy requirements.
However, it may:
- Require substantial capital for the setup and maintenance of data centers.
- Require specialized in-house IT skills for management.
Hybrid Cloud Model
A hybrid cloud model is essentially a blend of both private and public clouds. In this model, data and applications can move between the two environments.
The main advantages of a hybrid cloud are:
- It offers versatility – it carries the benefits of both a private and public cloud.
- It enables organizations to keep sensitive data protected on their private cloud while using the public cloud for high-volume, less sensitive data.
- It allows businesses to scale computing resources and eliminates the need to make massive capital expenditures to handle short-term spikes in demand.
However, the trade-off is that it can be complex to implement and may require specialized knowledge and abilities to effectively manage the environment.
From this comparison, it is clear that depending on the organization’s specific needs, the choice between public, private, and hybrid models can differ.
What matters is ensuring that the chosen model aligns with the organization’s objectives, operational needs, and financial capabilities.
For example, a business with highly sensitive data might opt for a private cloud for enhanced security, while a start-up company might prefer the public cloud because it requires less capital. Meanwhile, a large corporation prone to fluctuating demands might best be served with a hybrid cloud model.
In summary, understanding these cloud models is crucial towards choosing a suitable model for your organization and will greatly aid you in your preparation for the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam.
Practice Test
Public cloud services are owned and operated by third-party cloud service providers.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Public cloud services are owned and operated by third-party service providers, who deliver their computing resources such as servers and storage over the Internet.
Cloud services delivered directly over the internet to the general public are known as:
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
Answer: Public Cloud
Explanation: Public cloud services provide computing services offered by third-party providers over the public Internet, making them available to anyone who wants to use or purchase them.
Private cloud is owned, maintained and operated by an individual organization for exclusive use.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Private Cloud is a type of cloud computing that delivers similar advantages to public cloud, including scalability and self-service, but through a proprietary architecture dedicated to a single organization.
Which cloud model combines elements of both public and private clouds?
- Hybrid Cloud
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
Answer: Hybrid Cloud.
Explanation: Hybrid cloud is a solution that combines a private cloud with one or more public cloud services, with proprietary software enabling communication between each distinct service.
Hybrid cloud allows workloads to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Hybrid cloud gives businesses greater flexibility and more data deployment options by allowing workloads to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change.
Public clouds are most secure as compared to private and hybrid clouds.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Although public clouds have robust security measures, private clouds, with their dedicated resources, generally have superior security potential due to their exclusive access.
One of the major benefits of hybrid cloud is:
- Cost-effectiveness
- Scalability
- Both of the above
Answer: Both of the above
Explanation: Hybrid cloud combines the cost-effectiveness and scalability of public cloud with the security and control of private cloud.
Azure is an example of a public cloud service provider.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers. It’s a public cloud.
In a private cloud model, resources are shared among multiple organizations.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In a private cloud model, the cloud infrastructure is solely operated for a single organization. It doesn’t share resources with other organizations.
The hybrid cloud model is ideal for businesses that have varying compliance needs.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Hybrid cloud provides the flexibility and convenience of the public cloud for less-sensitive tasks, while allowing sensitive data and applications to be kept on a private cloud or even on-premise, meeting various compliance needs.
Hybrid cloud model is less flexible and adaptive than public and private cloud models.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The hybrid cloud model is typically more flexible and adaptive as it can leverage the best of both worlds (public and private cloud), depending on the needs and changes in business requirements.
A typical organization cannot use different cloud models according to its own unique requirements.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: An organization can choose to deploy different cloud models based on its requirements. For instance, it can use a private cloud for sensitive, critical applications and public cloud for high-volume, less-sensitive operations.
Hybrid cloud environments are automatically integrated and managed as one unit.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Hybrid cloud environments are not automatically integrated. They require robust cloud management platforms or tools to ensure seamless integration and handling of workloads.
A multi-cloud strategy involves using more than one public cloud service from more than one cloud services provider.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Multi-cloud strategy refers to the use of two or more cloud services from different cloud service vendors. It is helpful in avoiding vendor lock-in and increases flexibility.
All cloud models have the same cost structure.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The cost of cloud services varies depending on the model. While public clouds often have a pay-as-you-go structure, private clouds might require upfront cost for deployment and maintenance, and hybrid clouds could combine both these cost structures.
Interview Questions
What is a cloud model in terms of cloud computing?
A cloud model refers to the specific type of cloud computing services that businesses utilize. These models typically fall into three categories, which are public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.
Can you define the public cloud model?
A public cloud is a type of cloud computing in which services are delivered over the public internet and available to anyone who wishes to purchase them. These services typically operate on a pay-as-you-go model.
What is a private cloud model?
A private cloud is a model of cloud computing where IT services are delivered over a private network, either physically or virtually. This type of cloud model provides similar advantages to the public cloud like scalability and self-service, but it also adds additional control and customization.
What is a hybrid cloud model?
Hybrid cloud is an IT architecture that incorporates some degree of workload portability, orchestration, and management across two or more environments. These could include a mix of public clouds, private clouds, and on-premises infrastructure.
Can you give an example of a public cloud provider?
A commonly known public cloud provider is Microsoft Azure. Other examples include Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services.
What are some advantages of using a public cloud model?
Some advantages include cost-effectiveness due to its pay-as-you-go model, high scalability, and accessibility from any location with Internet connectivity.
What are the benefits of employing a private cloud model?
Private clouds offer greater control over data and systems as the infrastructure is often owned and managed by the business. They also offer improved security and compliance measures because of the private nature of the network.
How does a hybrid cloud model offer flexibility?
The hybrid cloud model offers the flexibility of having some data and applications running on a public cloud, while more sensitive information can be kept on a private cloud or even an on-site data center. This gives businesses the flexibility to balance cost, speed, and security as needed.
What is Azure in relation to cloud models?
Microsoft Azure is a public cloud computing platform that offers a range of cloud services, including those for computing, analytics, storage, and networking. Users can select and configure these services to meet their specific needs.
What type of cloud model would be optimal for a company with highly sensitive data?
A private cloud model or a hybrid model with sensitive data kept on the private portion would be optimal for a company with highly sensitive data due to the increased control and security.
What type of businesses typically use a public cloud?
Businesses of all sizes use public cloud services. Small and medium-sized businesses may find them attractive due to the low initial cost, while larger corporations may use them for scalability and flexibility.
Does Microsoft Azure offer hybrid cloud solutions?
Yes, Microsoft Azure offers hybrid cloud solutions that provide consistency across different environments, including the ability to use Azure’s resources within an on-premises data center.
What is a key challenge of using a hybrid cloud model?
A key challenge can be managing and securing the different environments within the hybrid cloud, as each component (public, private, on-premises) may require different management tools and protocols.
Are there different service models within these cloud models?
Yes, there are different service models within these cloud models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).
What cloud model does Software as a Service (SaaS) typically use?
Software as a Service (SaaS) typically uses a public cloud model. With SaaS, software applications are hosted on a provider’s servers and delivered over the internet.
extutorials.com