Cloud architecture needs to be discussed but why? Are there any significant reasons we are talking about cloud computing and its platform a lot more than before? Well! yes, there are reasons not only one but many support the reason for companies rapidly switching to cloud-based platforms.
Cloud Computing architecture is the result of advancements in cloud-based technology and major companies integrating it on their platforms. Cloud Computing is changing the way of business and service. Now we have more accessibility to online platforms irrespective of the place we are at present.Â
Cloud based environments help scale up a company’s network providing benefits to its employees as well as customers. Learning about cloud computing will help you know how to develop an effective cloud-based platform and whether or not it is suitable for your organisation. In this article let us know several facts related to cloud structure in detail.
Why are we talking about Cloud Architecture?
Cloud architecture refers to the various components and relationships between various elements of the cloud computing environment that help complete various services and functions when they are called for by the users.Â
Cloud Architecture comprises of complete setup required to start a cloud-based network platform including software, hardware, front-end and back-end technologies, storage, features, and more provided within the cloud-based environment.Â
With advancements in technologies, organisations must adhere to robust cloud technologies swiftly, Many digital platforms or businesses making their online presence can benefit a lot from this technology due to the number of benefits it is about to offer to every one of us. Unlike the traditional platforms and services where we used to be dependent on our personal system creating a huge concern for portability, limited storage, fewer features, and much more.Â
Using cloud architecture can solve many problems for organisations, such as unlimited cloud storage, dynamic remote access, online application services, improved security, and many other benefits.
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Cloud Architecture: Key Takeaways
- Cloud architecture is the building block of the cloud. It refers to the various layouts and components required for cloud computing.
- Some major components of cloud architecture are front end, back end, service models, deployment models, virtualization, middleware, automation software, etc.
- Cloud Platforms are arranged in layers and the most important layers are IaaS( Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platfrom as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service).
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Components of Cloud Computing ArchitectureÂ
Cloud architecture comprises various elements Let us know some of the major components of cloud architecture mentioned below.
Front End TechnologiesÂ
The front end technologies are the user interface side of the server where users interact with the cloud directly. This can possibly be a web user interface, application, desktop application, etc.Â
Users can interact with the cloud services using devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, etc with a working internet connection. The technologies and frameworks used to develop the front end of the cloud interface are angular, react, vue.js, svelte, foundation, etc. For example, you can access Google spreadsheet and Google Docs from your mobile browser and can make changes remotely.
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Back End Technologies
The backend technologies are responsible for managing the functionalities, processing, and management of data and applications on the cloud platform. It consists of the server, backend storage systems, and virtualization technology used in the cloud and handles various elements of the cloud platforms such as data storage solutions, processing, and network management.Â
Some major features of the backend architecture platforms are mentioned below.
- It comprises hardware and software components like storage, servers, and networking that the cloud provider manages.Â
- It handles and ensures that the client’s requests are met and handled properly.
- The service backend manages all major tasks inside a cloud environment from executing functional tasks to allocating available resources to the users.
- All the major data storage systems such as file storage, and databases are present which store user data and other resources are present in the backend of the cloud. The database is handled by the backend developer.
Service ModelsÂ
There are three major types of service models provided by the cloud architecture.Â
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
The service is the core part of cloud computing which manages all the tasks on the cloud environment. It manages which resources, storage, and functionalities you can access on the cloud.
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Virtualisation
Virtualisation enables cloud platforms to generate multiple simulated environments or virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical hardware system. It abstracts physical resources such as storage, servers, networking, and more and allows them to be used more efficiently in a shared space.Â
The key components of virtualization are virtual machines, hypervisors, containers, etc. Virtualization helps to ensure effective use of resources making them more efficient and faster.Â
Middleware
This component of cloud architecture acts as a bridge between the front end and back end of cloud architecture. They ensure the sharing of data and information from one to another. It acts as a hidden layer that enables communication and data management of distributed applications over the cloud.Â
Automation Software
These software are generally used on the cloud platforms to handle various routine tasks and other tasks which is better handled by the advanced intelligence software programs. Automation programs in the cloud might help scale up cloud platforms and make them more effective and functional.Â
Many plugins are used by backend developers such as analytics, sink, source, transform and more to execute various functionalities inside the cloud platform. Analytic plugins can help extract data insights from different sources and run analytics programs on the cloud.Â
Likewise, there are many error handlers and alerts plugins that can catch errors and provide real time alerts.Â
Security
With the rising pace of cloud based platforms, the need to adapt and develop cloud platform security levels is more than ever. Advanced tools and technologies are used to secure data and applications on the cloud platform. Advanced encryption, regular updates, debugging, firewalls, and other measures are taken for security on cloud-based platforms.
Working of Cloud Architecture
Each component in cloud architecture works together in an integrated environment to provide users access on demand anytime they need. The backend ensures that all the functionalities are working, such as services, resources, data storage, authentication, etc. A network helps users connect to the front end and backend components such as middleware.Â
When users interact with the front-end side of the cloud, it initiates a query on the backend to carry out the specific tasks or requests. However, the services that users can ask for on the cloud platform depend on the access they have been provided on their cloud service model.
Think of various components in cloud architecture as a layer placed on top of each other which makes up the cloud platform. Cloud architecture comprises these basic layers given below.
- Hardware
- Virtualisation
- ApplicationÂ
- ServiceÂ
The shared hardware resources such as network devices, servers, and storage power the cloud and create a virtual representation of physical computing resources using virtualization. The last layer comprises the front end interface where applications are deployed for the users to interact and send requests.Â
The cloud environment consists of three major service models based on the services they provide to the users.Â
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The IaaS cloud service model provides computing resources over the internet such as virtual machines, networking, storage, and other services. It provides infrastructures that are used to integrate cloud computing environment in an organisation.Â
The IaaS is responsible for providing an easy pathway for installation and management of the applications that the company wants to run on their rental space over the cloud.Â
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
This cloud service model provides a computing platform with infrastructures and software tools required to make a deployment environment in the cloud. It consists of the resources that will provide you with everything from simple applications to complex cloud based enterprise applications.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
This service model comprises cloud based applications (software and hardware) provided on the cloud platform by the service provider. Its accessibility and features are limited by the providers and provided as per the plan you choose. This service model provides an easy path for the users to start working on applications already available on the cloud without the need to deploy software manually.
Types of Deployment Models in Cloud Architecture
Based on the level of accessibility provided to the end users on the cloud environment, there are four different types of cloud architecture.
Public Cloud Architecture
This cloud model allows multiple users and organizations to work on the same platform. The cloud resources on these platforms are owned by the cloud provider and shared among multiple users. The services on a cloud based deployment model are comparatively cheaper than other models, however, the risk factor increases as there are no major safety protocols provided in public cloud-based platform.Â
Private Cloud Architecture
In private cloud models, the cloud resources and access is exclusively owned by a single organization. You might consider having your private cloud service for your organization with complete control over resources and more security over your data and infrastructure. However, this cloud model is more expensive than public based cloud model.
Hybrid Cloud Architecture
A Hybrid cloud architecture comprises of benefits of both public as well as private cloud models. It provides you with more flexibility with higher secure environment as a private cloud and syncing with multiple users and organisations on the same platform.Â
Multiple Cloud Architecture
This is a new type of cloud architecture gaining popularity nowadays. Here companies can utilize services from multiple cloud providers within a single architecture.
Does Cloud Architecture Ensures Security?
Cloud architecture is a layout and planning of the cloud environment, however making the platform safe from various unknown threats it is important to implement cloud architecture effectively. Access management and profile authentication are the first steps to maintaining a safer cloud environment.Â
Developing cloud security architecture must begin while preparing the blueprint and design process of the cloud platforms. This is to ensure no areas of vulnerabilities remain uncovered. A strong cloud security architecture comprises of three major elements i,e people, processes, and tools. Â
There are some other measures important for maintaining safety on a cloud platform such as cloud access management, vulnerability management solutions, access authentication control, data and network encryption, Endpoint Protection (EPP), cloud access security broker (CASB), etc.Â
Benefits of Optimized Cloud Architecture
Cloud architecture has numerous benefits but we are going to discuss some important benefits below.
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- Scalability: Cloud architecture enables you to easily scale your cloud platform whenever required based on the need. You can meet higher demands using optimized cloud-based infrastructure.Â
- Easy integration: Cloud architecture easily integrates advanced technologies and tools to ensure security, storage, analytics, AI, etc.
- Cost Effective: You only pay for whatever services you use. You can use the infrastructure provided by cloud service providers to save upfront costs.Â
- Higher Performance and availability: Cloud architecture helps you set up a platform easily and start services in no time. You can easily configure new infrastructure and applications on the cloud platform. This saves your time which you can utilize for other important work.
- Security: Cloud architecture helps you set up a strong secure platform easy to maintain and upgrade based on the new advanced technologies in the market.Â
- Automation: You can also take advantage of various automation resources that can be integrated with the cloud architecture easily. It will help automate deployment and routine management processes on the platform.
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Cloud Architecture FAQs
Q1. What is Cloud Architecture?
Ans: Cloud Architecture is a blueprint or layout of the cloud platform that determines the various components such as hardware and software resources, network systems, security protocols, etc to be used in cloud based platform.
Q2. What are the four major types of cloud architecture?
Ans: The four types of cloud architecture based on security and availability are public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and multi cloud. Based on the types of services cloud architecture is also defined in three categories IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Q3. What are the major components of Cloud architecture?
Ans: The major components of cloud architecture are front end, backend, service models, virtualization, middleware, automation, security, etc.
