UNIT-III

DEFINING THE CLOUDS FOR ENTERPRISE

STORAGE AS A SERVICE:-
Storage as a service (STaaS) is a managed service in which the provider supplies
the customer with access to a data storage platform.
The service can be delivered on premises from infrastructure that is dedicated to a single
customer, or it can be delivered from the public cloud as a shared service that's
purchased by subscription and is billed according to one or more usage metrics.
STaaS customers access individual storage services through standard system interface
protocols or application program interfaces (APIs). Typical offerings include bare-metal
storage capacity; raw storage volumes; network file systems; storage objects; and storage
applications that support file sharing and backup lifecycle management.
Storage as a service was originally seen as a cost-effective way for small and mid-size
businesses that lacked the technical personnel and capital budget to implement and
maintain their own storage infrastructure. Today, companies of all sizes use storage as a
service.

Uses of STaaS
Enterprises can use storage as a service for data transfers and redundant storage, as well
as to restore any corrupted or lost data. CIOs might want to use STaaS for the ability to
deploy resources in an instant or to replace some existing storage space -- leaving room
for on-premises storage hardware. CIOs might also appreciate the ability to tailor storage
capacity and performance per workload.
As an example, instead of maintaining a large tape library and arranging to store tapes
off-site, a network administrator who uses STaaS for backups could specify what data on
the network should be backed up and how often.
The company would sign a service-level agreement (SLA). The STaaS provider agrees
to rent storage space on a cost-per-gigabyte-stored and cost-per-data-transfer basis. The
company's data would then be automatically transferred at the specified time over the
storage provider's proprietary wide area network (WAN) or the internet. If the company's
data were to ever become corrupt or lost, the network administrator could contact the
STaaS provider and request a copy of the data.
Storage as a service in cloud computing
Instead of storing data on premises, organizations that use STaaS typically utilize
a public cloud for storage and backup needs. Public cloud storage might also use
different storage methods for STaaS. These storage methods include backup and restore,
disaster recovery, block storage, solid-state drive (SSD) storage, object storage and bulk
data transfer.
Backup and restore refers to the backing up of data to the cloud, which provides
protection in case of data loss. Disaster recovery might refer to protecting and replicating
data from VMs.
Block storage enables customers to provision block storage volumes for lower-latency
input/output (I/O). SSD storage is another storage type that is typically used for intensive
read/write and I/O operations. Object storage systems are used in data analytics, disaster
recovery and cloud applications and tend to have high latency. Bulk data transfers use
disks and other hardware to transfer data.

Advantages of STaaS
Key advantages to STaaS in the enterprise include the following:
 Storage costs. Personnel, hardware and physical storage space expenses are reduced.

 Disaster recovery. Having multiple copies of data stored in different locations can
better enable disaster recovery measures.
 Scalability. With most public cloud services, users only pay for the resources that
they use.
 Syncing. Files can be automatically synced across multiple devices.
 Security. Security can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, as security methods
may change per vendor. Data tends to be encrypted during transmission and while at
rest.

Disadvantages of STaaS
Common disadvantages of STaaS include the following:
 Security. Users might end up transferring business-sensitive or mission-critical data
to the cloud, which makes it important to choose a service provider that's reliable.
 Potential storage costs. If bandwidth limitations are exceeded, these could be
expensive.
 Potential downtimes. Vendors might go through periods of downtime where the
service is not available, which can be trouble for mission-critical data.
 Limited customization. Since the cloud infrastructure is owned and managed by the
service provider, it is less customizable.
 Potential for vendor lock-in. It might be difficult to migrate from one service to
another.

Popular storage-as-a-service vendors

Examples of STaaS vendors include Dell, HPE, IBM, NetApp and Pure Storage.
Other public cloud vendors with cloud storage services include the following:
 Amazon Web Services (AWS).
 Microsoft Azure.
 Google Cloud.
 Oracle Cloud.
 Box.

Database as a service:-
DBaaS is important to the larger corporate initiative of digital
transformation in which companies fundamentally change how they operate
and deliver value to customers. Specifically, companies striving for greater
data democratization might choose DBaaS as a way to deliver on an any
analytics, any time strategy. Also, organizations concerned with ESG
(Environmental, Social, and Governance) advances can leverage the DBaaS
ability to spin up and down servers at will as a way to save resources.

Advantages of DBaaS
DBaaS offers some advantages over traditional methods to deploy database
systems, including the following:

Abstract physical architecture from your organization

– The vendor and its partners provide the hardware needed for running
the workload, removing the need for your organization to maintain
servers.

Reduce hardware and database software upgrade

costs – As the infrastructure is no longer on-premises, organizations no
longer have to invest in database servers or plan time consuming
hardware upgrades.

Reduce capital expenditures – As-a-Service software allows an

organization to move some expenses from capital expenditures to
operating expenditures. Doing so makes future spending more
predictable, lowers capital costs, and reduces your need to spend money
on hardware and software.

Streamline database management – DBaaS providers handle

many routine database management and administration tasks, and this
too can lower operating costs.

Disadvantages of DBaaS
There are also potential disadvantages with DBaaS compared to on-premies
databases.

Savings are not automatic. Some companies have run the

numbers and found DBaaS significantly more expensive for specific
workloads. Savings seems to be best achieved on ephemeral workloads
rather than persistent ones, as the cost-benefit of DBaaS is amplified
when analytical workloads are not running.

Lack of control. With managed databases, an organization’s IT

team may not have complete access to a server’s features, as they too,
are abstracted away. Users must rely on the cloud provider to fully
manage the infrastructure effectively.

Reliance on fast internet. If an organization’s internet

connection is weak or experiences outages, the organization won’t have
access to its database until the problem is repaired. In addition,
organizations may experience slow query times due to internet speed.

Security. Some buyers of IT prefer to have direct influence over the

safety of the servers running its databases. Although public cloud
security is known to be fairly strong, the vendor is in charge of securing
the database platform and underlying infrastructure. Security is also
abstracted away on some level.
 process as a service:-
In cloud computing, "Process as a Service" (BPaaS) is a model where
businesses outsource specific business processes to a third-party provider,
accessing them via a cloud-based, on-demand service, allowing for scalability
and cost reduction.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

 What it is:
BPaaS, or Business Process as a Service, is a cloud-based approach to outsourcing
business processes.
 How it works:
Organizations access pre-built, standardized business processes from a BPaaS provider,
often on a subscription basis, without needing to invest in expensive hardware or software.
Benefits:
 Cost Reduction: BPaaS can help reduce costs by outsourcing non-core functions and
leveraging economies of scale.
 Scalability and Flexibility: It allows businesses to scale their processes up or down as
needed, providing flexibility and agility.
 Focus on Core Activities: By outsourcing non-core processes, businesses can focus on their
core competencies.
 Access to Expertise: BPaaS providers often have specialized expertise in specific areas,
providing access to that knowledge.
 Improved Efficiency: BPaaS can help automate and streamline processes, leading to
improved efficiency.
 Examples of Processes:
BPaaS providers offer services for various functions, including human resources
management, accounting, finance, supply chain management, and customer service.
 Relationship to other cloud services:
BPaaS is often seen in conjunction with other cloud services like SaaS (Software as a
Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).
 Key Characteristics:
 Multitenancy: BPaaS services are designed for multiple organizations to use the same
infrastructure.
 Automation: BPaaS often leverages automation to streamline processes.
 Scalability: BPaaS services are designed to be scalable, allowing businesses to adjust their
usage as needed.
 Customization: BPaaS solutions can be customized to meet the specific needs of individual
businesses.

INFORMATION AS A SERVICE:-

Information as a Service (IAS) is a cloud service model that provides

data to customers in a user-friendly format. It's a way to deliver data and
information efficiently.

How does IAS work?

 IAS uses a standard scheme to represent and distribute data and information.
 Cloud computing is a model that uses shared computing resources instead of
local servers or personal devices.
 Cloud services are accessed via the web and are paid for on an as-needed or
pay-per-use basis.

Other cloud services:

 Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides access to physical infrastructure,
such as servers, storage, and networking.
 Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides access to platforms for developing and
testing applications.
 Software as a Service (SaaS): Provides access to software, such as source
control.
 Database as a Service (DBaaS): Provides access to a database without the
need to establish physical hardware or install software.

 Benefits of IAS
 Scalability
IAS allows users to scale resources up and down quickly to meet their needs.
 Cost savings
IAS helps reduce upfront capital expenditures because users only pay for what
they use.
 Reliability
IAS has no single point of failure, so the service usually remains available even
if some hardware components fail.
 Productivity
IAS boosts productivity by reducing delays when expanding infrastructure and
avoiding overbuilding capacity.

INTEGRATION AS A SERVICE:-

Integration as a service (IaaS) is a cloud-based model that connects data

from on-premises systems and cloud applications. It allows for real-time data
exchange between systems and trading partners.

How does IaaS work?

 IaaS vendors provide infrastructure, like servers, and middleware
 Vendors also provide tools for building, testing, deploying, and managing cloud
applications
 Users can scale their environments up or down, typically on a pay-as-you-go
basis
 Most vendors use a multi-tenant setup

Benefits of IaaS
 Allows businesses to innovate processes without having to modify and maintain
incompatible applications
 Allows partners to develop, maintain, and manage custom integrations
 Allows for real-time exchange of data and programs

Cloud computing benefits

 Allows businesses to work with the latest hardware and software
 Provides faster connectivity
 Allows for greater scale and automation
 Allows businesses to leverage powerful computing resources without having to
purchase or maintain hardware and software

TESTING AS A SERVICE:-
 Testing as a Service (TaaS) is a cloud-based model that allows
organizations to outsource their testing needs to a third party. TaaS can include
functional, performance, and security testing.

How TaaS works

 Organizations purchase testing tools, software, and infrastructure from a TaaS
provider
 The provider creates a scenario and environment to test the organization's
response
 The provider performs the testing

Benefits of TaaS
 Scalability
TaaS is a scalable model that can meet the needs of businesses of all sizes
 Cost savings
TaaS can help reduce costs by avoiding the need for in-house testing teams and
servers
 Improved services
TaaS can help improve services by providing access to experts, automation, and
tools

When to use TaaS

 When an organization doesn't have the resources to perform testing in-house
 When an organization wants to reduce costs or improve services
 When an organization wants to outsource some or all of its testing

SCALING A CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE:-

Scaling a cloud infrastructure means adjusting the amount of computing

resources to meet demand. This can include adding or removing servers,
storage, or network capacity.

Types of cloud scaling

 Vertical scaling: Adds resources to an existing server, like more RAM or storage
 Horizontal scaling: Adds more servers to spread out the workload
 Diagonal scaling: Combines vertical and horizontal scaling

Benefits of cloud scaling

 Cost efficiency: Pay only for what you use, and avoid over-provisioning
 Performance: Scale up to meet demand, and scale down when demand
decreases
 Flexibility: Quickly adjust to changing needs without major investments

How to scale a cloud infrastructure

1. Determine your needs: Consider how your workload will change over time
2. Test your scalability: Use load testing to see how your application will scale
under different conditions
3. Choose the right scaling method: Vertical scaling is best for short-term spikes,
while horizontal scaling is better for long-term load
4. Scale up or down: Add or remove resources to meet your needs

DISASTER RECOVERY:
Disaster recovery (DR) is a method for restoring an organization's IT
systems and data after a disaster. The goal is to minimize downtime and data
loss, and to resume business operations as quickly as possible.

Cloud-based disaster recovery (Cloud DR) uses cloud services to

back up and restore applications, data, and infrastructure in the event of a
disaster. This approach leverages the scalability and flexibility of the cloud to
ensure business continuity with minimal downtime. Cloud DR offers various
benefits over traditional disaster recovery methods, including faster recovery
times, reduced costs, and increased flexibility.

What Is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan is an organisation's strategic
documentation and process to restore access to compromised
systems and infrastructure after a cyber attack, human error,
natural disaster, or other catastrophic events.
It's the systematic methodology by which a team allocates its
resources to efficiently regain control over critical data and
information systems following a disaster.

Types of Disaster Recovery

Disasters come in different forms and threaten the health and
stability of various systems and assets. Some of the most common
types of disaster recovery and the strategic initiative behind them
include:

Data Centre Disaster Recovery

This form of disaster recovery targets the security of physical IT
infrastructure and data backups. Strategies here involve utilising a
failover site at a secondary location to maintain operational
continuity during a disaster.
Cloud Disaster Recovery
A critical component of any cloud-based disaster recovery plan, the
strategies here leverage cloud solutions to replicate and host an
organisation's virtual and physical servers. This disaster recovery
approach provides automatic workload failover to a public cloud in
the event of a disaster, thereby eliminating the need for a
secondary location.
Network Disaster Recovery
Network operability is vital to maintain data sharing, application
access, and communication when threats strike. This component
focuses on having backup data and sites in place and a plan to
regain control over network services.
Virtualised Disaster Recovery
Virtualised disaster recovery is a set of strategies designed to
replicate workloads to an alternative cloud or physical location. This
process provides cybersecurity teams with greater flexibility,
efficiency, and ease of implementation.
Disaster Recovery as a Service
DRaaS is a commercial service provided by outsourced third parties
that duplicate and host an organisation's virtual and physical
servers. The third party takes ownership of implementing and
managing the most appropriate disaster recovery strategy and plan.
 What Are Some Of The Disaster Recovery Plan Elements?
Disaster recovery involves delving into a number of
methodologies and technologies. However, every effective disaster
recovery strategy involves the following five elements:

1.A disaster recovery team: The organization assigns a team of

people responsible for making, implementing, testing, and
managing its disaster recovery plan. The plan must outline the role
of each member of the organization, as well as their responsibilities
in the event of a disaster. If a disaster happens, the team members
must have predetermined methods of communication with each
other, employees, customers, and vendors. The communication
plan should account for likely infrastructure failures that may
negatively impact email and other methods of conveying
information.

2.Evaluation of risk: The organization must figure out the various

hazards that are likely to necessitate a disaster recovery plan. Then
the appropriate measures should be designed based on the event
type. This may vary depending on geographic location. A range of
natural disasters—even those uncommon to the area—should also
be accounted for. When considering what to do in case the
organization suffers a cyberattack, the functionality of the systems
and endpoints at risk must be included in the disaster recovery
plan, as well as essential and sensitive data.

3.Identification of business-critical assets: An effective disaster

recovery plan documents the systems, data, applications, and
related resources that are most essential to maintain business
continuity. The plan should also outline the steps needed to recover
and protect important data.

4.Backups: First, the team needs to figure out what must be backed
up or moved if a disaster hits. The organization also has to make
sure the backup methods are established, as well as who will be
responsible for creating the backups and performing any
restorations or migrations. The plan should involve a recovery point
objective (RPO), which dictates how frequently backups are made,
 and a recovery time objective (RTO), which outlines the maximum
acceptable amount of downtime the organization is willing to
tolerate after a disaster. The data from these metrics will serve as a
guide as the IT team determines disaster recovery objectives.

5.Testing and optimization: The recovery team is responsible for

making sure the disaster recovery system is ready for an event by
continually testing it and updating its various elements. For
cyberattacks, for example, the team must make sure the security
measures in place are up to date and reflect the most recent cyber
threats on the landscape.

How To Create A Disaster Recovery Team?

A disaster recovery team includes the following roles:

 Senior Crisis Manager: The person in this role has the authority
to implement the disaster recovery plan by communicating with
disaster team members, employees, and customers to coordinate
the disaster recovery efforts.
 Business Continuity Manager: This manager ensures the
disaster recovery plan addresses the issues discovered from a
business impact analysis.
 Impact Assessment and Recovery Manager(s): These IT and
business experts assess the damage and fix IT infrastructure,
servers, applications, and databases.