Cloud Essentials

CompTIA Certification xiii
Introduction xvii
Chapter 1: What Is Cloud Computing? 1
Defining Cloud Computing 1
Understanding Distributed Application Design 5
Understanding Resource Management Automation 7
Understanding Virtualized Computing Environments 8
Understanding High-Performance Computing Models 9
Understanding Cloud Computing Technologies 10
The Essentials and Beyond 12
Chapter 2: Cloud Models 15
Evolving from Virtualization to the Cloud 15
Planning Organizational Roles in the Cloud 19
Identifying Cloud Deployment Models and Scope Modifiers 21
Cloud Deployment Models 21
Model Scope Modifiers 23
Including Future Cloud Models 26
The Essentials and Beyond 26
Chapter 3: Service Models 29
Categorizing Cloud Services 29
Examining Software as a Service 32
Examining Platform as a Service 35
Examining Infrastructure as a Service 39
Identifying Emerging Cloud Database Capabilities 41
Sharding 42
Database Profiling 42
Defining Everything as a Service 43
The Essentials and Beyond 44
Chapter 4: Current Cloud Technologies 47
Comparing Traditional Technologies and Cloud Alternatives 47
Accessing the Cloud 56
Networking in the Cloud 56
Web Access Architecture 57
Leveraging Software as a Service 58
Personal Software as a Service Applications 58
Enterprise Software as a Service Applications 62
Cloud-Specifi c Software as a Service Applications 63
Developing within Platform as a Service 64
Implementing Infrastructure as a Service 66
Empowering Mobile Computing 70
The Essentials and Beyond 73
Chapter 5: Cloud Business Value 75
Identifying Business Drivers for Cloud Computing 75
Reducing Costs and Increasing Efficiency 75
Increasing Organizational Agility 78
Examining the Business Impact 79
Evaluating Cloud Computing Costs 80
Identifying Value Now and in the Future 82
Choosing the Appropriate Cloud Model 82
Making the Right Decision 83
The Essentials and Beyond 84
Chapter 6: Cloud Inf rastructure Planning 87
Understanding Cloud Networks 87
The Open Systems Interconnection Model 88
Internet Protocol Version 90
Network Challenges 91
Infrastructural Changes 92
Leveraging Automation and Self-Service 94
Understanding Federated Cloud Services 97
Achieving Interoperability 99
Cloud Computing Standards 100
The Essentials and Beyond 101
Chapter 7: Strategies for Cloud Adoption 105
Aligning Cloud Deployments with Organizational Goals 105
Identifying the Impact of Cloud Adoption to Business Processes 110
Culture and Business Changes 110
Management Changes 112
Testing for Readiness 112
Understanding the Importance of Service-Level Agreements 114
Cloud Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) 115
The Essentials and Beyond 115
Chapter 8: Applications in the Cloud 119
Understanding the Role of Standard Applications 119
Desktop Applications 122
Distributed Applications 124
Web-Based Applications 126
Cloud Applications 126
Developing Cloud-Ready Applications 128
Cloud-Ready Application Patterns 128
Cloud-Ready Application Development 132
Migrating Applications to the Cloud 133
Preparing for Technical Challenges 134
Identifying and Mitigating Risks 136
The Essentials and Beyond 138
Chapter 9: Cloud Service Rollout 141
Identifying Vendor Roles and Responsibilities 141
Identifying Organizational Skill Requirements 144
Software as a Service (SaaS) 145
Platform as a Service (PaaS) 147
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 148
Transitioning to Live Environments 149
Preparing for Incident Management 150
The Essentials and Beyond 153
Chapter 10: Cloud Service-Level Management 157
Understanding ITIL Service Management 157
ITIL Overview 158
Applying ITIL to Cloud Computing 163
Planning the Service Strategy 164
Planning a Service Desk Operation 166
Developing and Utilizing Performance Metrics 167
Running a Cloud Service Operation 167
General Performance Metrics 168
Tools 171
Implementing Continual Process Improvement 172
Service Evaluation 172
Process Evaluation 173
Definition of Improvement Initiatives 173
CSI Monitoring 173
The Essentials and Beyond 173
Chapter 11: Security in the Cloud 177
Understanding Security and Risk 177
Key Principles of Information Security 177
Risk Management Basics 180
Reviewing Security Standards 182
Exploring Common Security Risks and Mitigations184
Application Interface 187
Shared Technology 187
Insider and Criminal Threats 188
Data Exposure and Loss188
Organizational Risks 189
Implementing an ISMS 190
Responding to Incidents 191
Digital Forensics in the Cloud 192
Recognizing Security Benefi ts 193
The Essentials and Beyond 193
Chapter 12: Privacy and Compliance 197
Identifying Legal Risks 197
Records Management 200
Software Licensing 202
Audit 203
Identifying Privacy Risks 204
Safe Harbor 205
Managing Identity in the Cloud 206
Federated Identity Management 207
Single Sign-On 207
The Essentials and Beyond 208
Appendix A: Future of the Cloud 211
Appendix B: Answers to Review Questions 217
Appendix C: CompTIA's Certification Program 233
Appendix D: EXIN's Certification Program 239
Glossary 245
Index 257