1.3 Summarize cloud concepts and connectivity options
📘CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
Public Cloud Deployment Model
A public cloud is a type of cloud computing environment where services, resources, and infrastructure are provided by a third-party cloud provider over the internet and are available to the general public or multiple organizations. In this model, the cloud provider owns and manages all hardware, software, and networking resources.
Key Features of Public Cloud
- Hosted by a Third Party
- The cloud provider owns and operates the servers, storage, and networking equipment.
- You don’t need to manage the physical infrastructure yourself.
- Accessible Over the Internet
- You can access resources and services anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
- Example IT usage: Employees can access a cloud-based email system like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace from any device with internet.
- Shared Resources (Multi-Tenancy)
- The infrastructure is shared among multiple customers or organizations.
- Each customer’s data and applications are isolated, but the same physical hardware is used for everyone.
- Example IT usage: Hosting multiple websites on a cloud provider like AWS or Azure using shared servers.
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing
- You only pay for the resources you actually use.
- Example IT usage: Scaling virtual machines (VMs) up or down based on demand, paying only for the hours they are running.
- Scalable and Flexible
- You can quickly increase or decrease resources without needing to buy hardware.
- Example IT usage: Running a temporary application for testing purposes in the cloud without committing to long-term servers.
- Managed Security and Updates
- The cloud provider handles system updates, security patches, and hardware maintenance.
- Example IT usage: Using a cloud database like Amazon RDS or Azure SQL Database without worrying about patching the database server yourself.
Benefits of Public Cloud
- Cost Efficiency
- No upfront investment in hardware or data centers.
- Accessibility
- Users can access services from anywhere.
- High Scalability
- Supports sudden spikes in demand easily.
- Maintenance-Free
- The provider handles maintenance, updates, and security.
Drawbacks of Public Cloud
- Less Control
- You rely on the provider for security and infrastructure management.
- Shared Environment Risks
- While isolated, there is still a risk of vulnerabilities due to multi-tenancy.
- Internet Dependency
- You must have a reliable internet connection to access services.
- Compliance Limitations
- Certain industries may have regulatory requirements that restrict storing sensitive data in public clouds.
Real IT Examples of Public Cloud Services
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- AWS EC2, Azure Virtual Machines: Rent virtual servers to run applications.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Google App Engine, Azure App Service: Deploy applications without managing servers.
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Office 365, Gmail, Salesforce: Access software through a web browser without installing it locally.
- Storage Services
- Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage: Store files, backups, and large datasets in the cloud.
Exam Tips
For CompTIA Network+ (N10-009), you need to remember:
- Definition: Public cloud = services available over the internet, shared among multiple customers, managed by a provider.
- Advantages: Low cost, scalable, flexible, maintenance-free.
- Disadvantages: Less control, shared environment, internet-dependent.
- Real-world IT usage: Hosting VMs, applications, storage, or SaaS services.
✅ Summary in Simple Terms:
A public cloud is like renting IT services from a company over the internet. They provide servers, storage, and applications that multiple organizations can use, and you only pay for what you use. You don’t manage the hardware, it’s scalable, but you have less control over the environment.
