Prof Hammoud / Cloud

What is cloud computing?

Overall, the on-demand internet distribution of IT resources (say servers, storage, and databases) is what we refer to as cloud computing; what happens is that through just paying for what they consume, users avoid owning infrastructure--examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

Is cloud computing a new technology per se, etc.?

No, cloud computing is a new business model that builds on existing technologies like distributed computing. In regard to being unique, it has a service-based approach which is not existent on other platforms.

Three major cloud service models?

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) (e.g., AWS EC2 and Azure Virtual Machines).
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): (e.g., Google App Engine and Heroku).
• Software as a Service (SaaS) (e.g., Gmail and Microsoft 365).

Name at least 3 real-world domains?

• Startups: this domain enables users to get into the worldwide market without having to pay for hardware up front.
• Healthcare: Conduct research with the ability to look into large amounts of genomic data.
• Disaster Recovery: Give companies access to off-site backup that has prices that are quite affordable.

What is the economic/business model of cloud computing?

Costs are moved from capital expenditure (CapEx)--includes purchasing servers--to operational expenditure (OpEx)-- paying for a subscription--overall, such an approach increases financial agility via directly tying IT investment to usage (Seixas et al., 2025).

References

1. Seixas, N. F., Maia, A. H., Pinto, G. P., da Cruz, D. T. M., Santos, B. P., Machado, I. D. C., ... & Prazeres, C. V. (2025). Bridging the Cost Gap: A Comprehensive Analysis of CAPEX and OPEX for Smart Home Transition from a Provider’s Perspective. PDF
2. Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing (SP 800-145). National Institute of Standards and Technology. PDF