Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, Security & Architecture

Cloud computing has become an integral and foundational part of information technology. The majority of digital business activity and technology innovation occurs with the involvement of contemporary cloud environments that provide highly sophisticated automated technology infrastructure and a vast range of technology resources. To successfully build upon, interact with, or create a cloud environment requires an understanding of its common inner mechanics, architectural layers, models, and security controls. It also requires an understanding of the business and economic factors that justify the adoption and real-world use of clouds and cloud-based products and services.

In Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, Security & Architecture, Thomas Erl, one of the world’s top-selling IT authors, teams up with cloud computing expert Eric Barceló Monroy and researchers to break down proven and mature cloud computing technologies and practices into a series of well-defined concepts, technology mechanisms, and technology architectures. Comprehensive coverage of containerization and cybersecurity topics is also included.

All chapters are carefully authored from an industry-centric and vendor-neutral point of view. In doing so, the book establishes concrete, academic coverage with a focus on structure, clarity, and well-defined building blocks for mainstream cloud computing and containerization platforms and solutions. With nearly 370 figures, 40 architectural models, and 50 mechanisms, this indispensable guide provides a comprehensive education of contemporary cloud computing, containerization, and cybersecurity that will never leave your side.

Why this book is for you!

The purpose of this book is to break down proven and mature cloud computing technologies and practices into a series of well-defined concepts, models, and technology mechanisms and architectures.

This book is aimed at the following target audience:

• IT practitioners and professionals who require vendor-neutral coverage of cloud computing technologies, concepts, mechanisms, and models
• IT managers and decision-makers who seek clarity regarding the business and technological implications of cloud computing
• professors and students and educational institutions that require well-researched and well-defined academic coverage of fundamental cloud computing topics
• business managers who need to assess the potential economic gains and viability of adopting cloud computing resources
• technology architects and developers who want to understand the different moving parts that comprise contemporary cloud platforms

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Case Study Background

PART I: FUNDAMENTAL CLOUD COMPUTING

Chapter 3: Understanding Cloud Computing

Chapter 4: Fundamental Concepts and Models

Chapter 5: Cloud-Enabling Technology

Chapter 6: Understanding Containerization

Chapter 7: Understanding Cloud Security and Cybersecurity

PART II: CLOUD COMPUTING MECHANISMS

Chapter 8: Cloud Infrastructure Mechanisms

Chapter 9: Specialized Cloud Mechanisms

Chapter 10: Cloud Security and Cybersecurity Access-Oriented Mechanisms

Chapter 11: Cloud Security and Cybersecurity Data-Oriented Mechanisms

Chapter 12: Cloud Management Mechanisms

PART III: CLOUD COMPUTING ARCHITECTURE

Chapter 13: Fundamental Cloud Architectures

Chapter 14: Advanced Cloud Architectures

Chapter 15: Specialized Cloud Architectures

PART IV: WORKING WITH CLOUDS

Chapter 16: Cloud Delivery Model Considerations

Chapter 17: Cost Metrics and Pricing Models

Chapter 18: Service Quality Metrics and SLAs

PART V: APPENDICES

Appendix A: Case Study Conclusions

Appendix B: Common Containerization Technologies

About the Author

Thomas Erl is a best-selling IT author and series editor of the Pearson Digital Enterprise Series from Thomas Erl. Thomas has authored and co-authored 15 books published by Pearson Education and Prentice Hall dedicated to contemporary business technology and practices. You can find Thomas on the Thomas Erl YouTube channel (youtube.com/@terl). He is also the host of the Real Digital Transformation podcast series (available via Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, and most other platforms) and also publishes the weekly LinkedIn newsletter The Digital Enterprise. Over 100 articles and interviews by Thomas have been published in numerous publications, including CEO World, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CIO Magazine. Thomas has also toured over 20 countries as a keynote speaker for various conferences and events.

At Arcitura Education (www.arcitura.com), Thomas leads the development of curricula for internationally recognized, vendor-neutral training and accreditation programs. Arcitura’s portfolio currently consists of over 100 courses, over 100 Pearson VUE exams, and over 40 certification tracks, covering topics such as Cloud Computing Architecture, Security, and Governance, as well as Digital Transformation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), DevOps, Blockchain, IoT, Containerization, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), and Big Data Analytics. Thomas is also the founder and senior advisor at Transformative Digital Solutions (www.transformative.digital) and a freelance LinkedIn instructor and courseware author.

www.thomaserl.com

Eric Barceló Monroy is an IT professional with extensive experience in IT strategic planning, operational and administrative process reengineering, system implementation project management, and IT operations. He has a proven track record of implementing systems that exceed user expectations while reducing costs and improving response times. He has held various high-level positions in both the private and public sectors, including Director of Information Technology at Farmacéuticos MAYPO, a pharmaceutical distributor; Vice-president of Telecommunications and Technology Operations at iExplore, an internet-based adventure travel agency; and Director of Information Technology and Telecommunications at the Ministry of Education in Tabasco, Mexico, where he oversaw the implementation of telecommunication networks among schools and develops and delivers computer literacy training programs for faculty.

Additionally, he is a partner and Technical Consulting Director at EGN, a cloud technology consulting and training firm, where he provides IT consultancy on state of-theart topics like Big Data, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Advanced Networking, and Strategic IT Management. Eric is a Certified Cloud Computing Technology Professional, Certified Cloud Virtualization Specialist, and Certified Cloud Architect, among others. He is also a VMware Certified Professional, Red Hat Certified System Administrator, Red Hat Certified Engineer, and Certified Amazon Web Services Solutions Architect.