Unit 4: Cloud computing and transformation frameworks
Managing Digital Innovation and Transformation notes · PTU syllabus (MBA 944-18)
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Unit summary
Cloud computing is the platform for most digital transformation. This unit covers cloud architecture compared with peer-to-peer, grid and client–server architectures, migration approaches and the seven-step migration model, components and types of cloud computing — private, public and hybrid — and mobile cloud and cloud security.
After this unit you can
- Compare cloud architecture with other architectures
- Explain cloud migration approaches and the seven-step model
- Explain components and types of cloud computing
- Explain mobile cloud and cloud security
PTU syllabus topics
- Cloud architecture vs peer-to-peer/grid/client-server architecture
- migration approaches and the seven-step migration model
- components and types of cloud computing (private, public, hybrid)
- mobile cloud and cloud security
Public
Provider, shared
Scalable, low upfront cost
Private
One organisation
Control, compliance
Hybrid
Mix of both
Flexibility
Topic 1
Cloud architecture compared with other architectures
Client–server
Clients request services from dedicated servers
Enterprise applications, databases
Peer-to-peer
Nodes share resources directly without a central server
File sharing, blockchain
Grid computing
Distributed computers pool resources for large tasks
Scientific computing
Cloud computing
On-demand, elastic, metered resources from a provider over the internet
Almost all modern IT
- NIST characteristics of cloud: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service.
Topic 2
Cloud migration approaches
Rehost
Lift and shift as is
Replatform
Lift, tinker and shift — minor optimisation
Refactor (re-architect)
Redesign as cloud-native
Repurchase
Move to SaaS
Retire
Switch off unneeded systems
Retain
Keep on-premises for now
Topic 3
The seven-step migration model
- 1
Assessment
Business case, costs, readiness
- 2
Isolation
Identify dependencies of applications
- 3
Mapping
Map components to cloud services
- 4
Re-architect
Redesign parts that need change
- 5
Augmentation
Use cloud features to improve the application
- 6
Testing
Validate functionality and performance
- 7
Optimisation
Tune cost, performance and security after migration
Topic 4
Components of cloud computing
- Clients (devices), data centres, distributed servers, virtualisation (hypervisors, containers), storage, networking, management and orchestration (Kubernetes), security services.
Topic 5
Service and deployment models
Cloud computing delivers computing resources — servers, storage, software — over the internet on a pay-as-you-use basis.
| Service model | What the provider supplies | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS (software as a service) | Ready-to-use applications | Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoho Books, Salesforce |
| PaaS (platform as a service) | Platform to build and run apps | Google App Engine, Azure App Service |
| IaaS (infrastructure as a service) | Virtual servers, storage, networks | AWS EC2, Microsoft Azure VMs |
- Deployment models: public, private, hybrid and community cloud.
- Benefits: low upfront cost, scalability, anywhere access, automatic updates, collaboration. Risks: dependence on internet, data privacy, vendor lock-in.
Public cloud
Many customers share provider infrastructure
Low cost, scalable; less control
Private cloud
One organisation, on-premises or hosted
More control and compliance; costlier
Hybrid cloud
Mix of public and private with integration
Flexibility; complex to manage
Community cloud
Organisations with shared needs (government)
Shared cost; limited scale
- India: MeghRaj (GI Cloud) for government; data localisation requirements for payments data (RBI).
Topic 6
Mobile cloud computing
- Mobile apps offload storage and processing to the cloud — sync, backup, streaming, AI features.
- Benefits: extends battery and storage, access anywhere, easy updates. Issues: latency, connectivity, data costs, privacy — edge computing processes data closer to users.
Topic 7
Cloud security
- Shared responsibility model: the provider secures the cloud infrastructure; the customer secures data, identities, configurations and applications.
- Risks: misconfiguration, weak identity management, insecure APIs, data breaches, account hijacking, insider threats, vendor lock-in, compliance gaps.
- Controls: identity and access management with MFA, encryption at rest and in transit, key management, logging and monitoring, backups, security posture management, certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2), MeitY empanelment for government workloads.
Key terms
- Elasticity
- Ability to scale resources up and down quickly
- Rehost
- Moving an application to cloud without changes
- Hybrid cloud
- Integrated public and private clouds
- Edge computing
- Processing data near its source
- Shared responsibility model
- Division of security duties between provider and customer
Quick revision
- Client–server, P2P, grid vs cloud; NIST characteristics.
- 6 Rs of migration; seven-step model.
- Components; SaaS, PaaS, IaaS; public, private, hybrid, community.
- Mobile cloud and edge computing.
- Shared responsibility; risks; controls.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.State the NIST characteristics of cloud computing.
- Q2.Distinguish grid and cloud computing.
- Q3.Name the 6 Rs of cloud migration.
- Q4.List the seven steps of the cloud migration model.
- Q5.Distinguish public and private clouds.
- Q6.What is the shared responsibility model?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Compare cloud architecture with peer-to-peer, grid and client–server architectures.
- Q2.Explain cloud migration approaches and the seven-step migration model.
- Q3.Explain the components and types of cloud computing.
- Q4.Discuss mobile cloud computing and cloud security.
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