Key elements of a cloud infrastructure

As we explored in a previous step, the cloud presents a vast array of resources and services. Now let’s now focus on the core components that constitute a contemporary cloud infrastructure. In essence, what are the fundamental building blocks of such an infrastructure?

Today’s cloud infrastructure comprises five essential elements:

1. Compute: the cloud provides a diverse range of ‘compute’ options. This encompasses systems that execute code and process data, as well as serverless compute or functions-as-a-service and various other computational resources.
2. Storage: the cloud offers a multitude of data storage solutions, from hosting static websites to managing vast repositories of big data.
3. Databases: cloud services include services tailored to various types of databases, to support a wide range of data management needs.
4. Networking: the cloud provides robust networking capabilities that empower users to construct intricate systems with ease.
5. Security and monitoring: a cloud infrastructure prioritises state-of-the-art cyber and physical security measures. It also facilitates seamless monitoring of systems and the management of security policies.

Example: building a social network with these building blocks

Let’s illustrate the application of these building blocks with a straightforward example — building a social network website, similar to Facebook, Instagram, X, or TikTok. If you opt to utilise the cloud for this task, you could:

• Leverage compute services to power the social network’s backend, including tasks such as data processing, user authentication, registration processing, content recommendation algorithms, and more.
• Use storage solutions to store user-generated files like images and videos.
• Employ databases to manage user metadata, associate stored files with specific users, store user settings, record ‘likes’ on pictures and videos, and handle other relational data.
• Leverage networking capabilities to facilitate communication between various backend services, ensure the website’s availability to users, and guarantee users access to data from a nearby data centre for swift loading times.

These core elements of a cloud infrastructure serve as the foundation for constructing a wide range of applications and services.

In reality, today’s cloud offerings extend far beyond these fundamentals. The cloud ecosystem includes developer tools, cost management solutions, robotics services, media and machine learning services, data analytics services, authentication services (eliminating the need to build your own), payment services, and much more.

Familiarity with this breadth of cloud offerings is invaluable for your career, as these services often solve numerous challenges, sparing you from reinventing the wheel.

Now let’s spend sometime examining and reviewing the benefits of cloud computing, before moving on to look at some of the challenges.