Azure AZ-900 Fundamentals Exam

Introduction to Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a way to deliver computing services over the internet. These services include servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more. Instead of owning and maintaining physical servers and data centers, you can access these resources on-demand from a cloud provider like Microsoft Azure. This approach offers several benefits, such as cost savings, scalability, and flexibility.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

One of the main advantages of cloud computing is cost efficiency. You only pay for the resources you use, which can be much cheaper than maintaining your own hardware. Additionally, cloud services are highly scalable. This means you can easily increase or decrease your resources based on your needs without having to invest in new hardware. Another benefit is flexibility. Cloud services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easier to work remotely or collaborate with others.

Types of Cloud Services

Cloud services are typically divided into three main categories:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. Examples include virtual machines and storage.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): This offers hardware and software tools over the internet, usually for application development. Examples include web hosting and database management.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): This delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis. Examples include email services and office productivity tools. ## Types of Cloud Deployment Models There are different ways to deploy cloud services, known as deployment models:
• Public Cloud: Services are delivered over the public internet and shared across multiple organizations. Examples include Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Private Cloud: Services are maintained on a private network and used by a single organization. This offers more control and security.
• Hybrid Cloud: This combines both public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them. This provides greater flexibility and optimization of existing infrastructure.

Key Cloud Concepts

Understanding some key cloud concepts is essential for working with cloud services:

• High Availability: Ensures that services are available and operational at all times, even during failures.
• Scalability: The ability to increase or decrease resources as needed.
• Elasticity: Automatically scaling resources up or down based on demand.
• Agility: The ability to quickly develop, test, and deploy applications.
• Fault Tolerance: The ability to continue operating even if some components fail.
• Disaster Recovery: Strategies to recover data and services after a catastrophic event.

By understanding these cloud concepts, you can better appreciate the advantages and capabilities of cloud computing, especially when using a platform like Microsoft Azure.