Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, Security, and Architecture

Cloud computing offers immense opportunities to improve agility and  competitiveness – as well as significant risks. To maximize value and  avoid pitfalls, you need a thorough, vendor-neutral understanding of  today’s technologies, models, tools, and architectures. Cloud Computing,  Second Edition presents up-to-date knowledge for every facet of cloud  computing: from scoping projects through designing solutions, assessing  providers to administering resources and managing cost.

Renowned  IT author Thomas Erl and enterprise cloud expert Eric Barceló Monroy  distill proven technologies and practices into well-defined concepts,  models, mechanisms, and architectures. Each is explained in ways that  align with modern industry usage, to help you clearly understand and  assess your options.

First, the authors show how cloud computing  emerged and evolved, introducing core concepts, models, components, and  security issues. Using up-to-date examples, they illuminate 50+  technology mechanisms used to enable core capabilities. Next, they  document 30+ architectures that combine these mechanisms into reliable,  efficient solutions. Building on this technical context, they address  practical business issues, helping you optimize investments and impact,  manage legal issues, and operate effectively. You’ll find vendor-neutral  cost and quality metrics, pricing models, insights into service level  agreements, and other practical ways to promote success.

Explore modern delivery and deployment models in depth
Examine the roles of data centers, virtualization, containerization, and web technologies
Learn best practices for cloud security, with detailed drill-downs on access and data
Review standard and specialized infrastructure, from usage monitors to failover
Discover efficient tools and mechanisms for administering cloud-based IT resources
Walk through architecting cloud systems to deliver baseline functions and capabilities
    Plan for advanced requirements such as zero downtime, rapid  provisioning, distributed data sovereignty, and virtual private cloud
Architect for specialized environments such as edge and fog computing
Consider cloud delivery models from both provider and consumer perspectives
Apply cost metrics and formulae to manage usage, integration, and ownership costs
Use SLAs to ensure availability, reliability, performance, scalability, and resiliency

This  comprehensive guide is for IT and business professionals, managers, and  executives; architects, developers, faculty, students, and anyone who  wants to make the most of cloud computing.