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Cloud infrastructure What is cloud infrastructure?
Cloud infrastructure is no different from typical data center infrastructure except that it’s virtualized and offered as a service to be consumed via the Internet. Servers, storage, compute resources, and security are all key components of cloud infrastructure.
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- Components of cloud infrastructure
- Cloud infrastructure work
- Role of cloud infrastructure in cloud computing
- Cloud infrastructure advantages
- Cloud Infrastructure Delivery Models
- Cloud infrastructure adoption models
- Develop cloud infrastructure
- HPE Cloud infrastructure solutions
What are the components of cloud infrastructure?
- Hardware: Cloud infrastructure is built on actual servers, storage, networking, and other components. These components in data centers offer computing power and storage for cloud applications and data storage.
- Virtualization: Virtualization lets you create virtual servers, storage, networks, and other resources. Resource utilization is optimized by separating actual hardware into several virtual machines or containers with their operating systems and applications. Virtualization isolates hardware, improving cloud scalability, and resource optimization.
- Storage: Cloud storage includes object, block, and file storage. Object storage is ideal for images, videos, and documents. Block storage offers high-performance database and application storage on virtual computers. File storage offers file sharing and collaboration by exchanging files and folders.
- Network: Cloud infrastructure includes networking gear, protocols, and services that connect cloud resources, users, and external networks like the Internet. This equipment includes switches, routers, load balancers, firewalls, and others that enable data transfer and cloud network security and performance.
These parts constitute a resilient and scalable cloud infrastructure that delivers internet-based computing, storage, and networking services.
Cloud infrastructure vs. cloud architecture
Aspect | Cloud Infrastructure | Cloud Architecture |
Definition | Cloud infrastructure comprises the physical and virtual components—such as servers, storage, and networking—used to deliver computing resources over the internet, forming the foundation of cloud computing. | Cloud architecture refers to the design and layout of cloud services, detailing how components interact and integrate to meet specific requirements, ensuring scalability, and performance. |
Focus | Emphasizes the hardware and software components needed to deliver computing resources. | Focuses on the overall design, layout, and interconnection of cloud components to achieve specific goals and functionalities. |
Components | Includes hardware, virtualization, storage, and networking components. | Encompasses various architectural elements, such as microservices, APIs, security protocols, and integration strategies. |
Purpose | Provides the foundation and resources for running applications, storing data, and delivering services over the internet. | Guides the planning and design of a cloud solution to meet specific business needs, performance requirements, and scalability goals. |
Scalability | Facilitates scalability enabling dynamic allocation of resources based on demand. | Defines how the cloud solution will scale, ensuring that the architecture adapt to changing workloads and requirements. |
Implementation | Encompasses the actual physical and virtual infrastructure deployed in data centers. | Involves the conceptual and logical framework designed before the actual deployment, focusing on how different components will interact. |
Examples | Hardware servers, virtual machines, storage devices, networking equipment. | Application components, data flow diagrams, security protocols, and service-oriented architecture. |
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