Understanding Cloud Computing General Terms

1. What is Virtualization?
   Virtualization relies on software to simulate hardware functionality and create a virtual computer system. This enables IT organizations to run more than one virtual system – and multiple operating systems and applications – on a single server. The resulting benefits include economies of scale and greater efficiency. Virtualization technology makes cloud computing possible. Cloud providers set up and maintain their own data centers. They create different virtual environments that use the underlying hardware resources. You can then program your system to access these cloud resources by using APIs.

2. Scalability
   Cloud scalability refers to the ability of a cloud-computing infrastructure to dynamically adjust resources to meet the changing demand. This means that as your business grows, your cloud environment can quickly adapt to provide additional resources, such as processing power, storage, or bandwidth, without the need for costly hardware upgrades or infrastructure changes.
   Cloud scalability offers a number of key benefits, including improved flexibility, better cost control, increased performance, and enhanced reliability. It allows you to scale your IT resources up or down quickly in response to changing business needs, which can help you optimize your operations, minimize downtime, and improve the overall performance of your IT infrastructure.
   Overall, cloud scalability is a crucial aspect of cloud computing and an essential tool for any organization looking to manage its IT resources effectively.
   There are three main types of cloud scalability:
   a. Horizontal scalability, also known as scale-out, refers to the ability to add more instances of the same resource to a cloud environment. For example, you can add more servers to your environment if you need more computing power.
   b. Vertical scalability, also known as scale-up, refers to the ability to add more resources to an existing instance. For example, if you need more computing power, you can add CPU, RAM, or storage to an existing server.
   c. Hybrid scalability. also known as diagonal scaling, combines both horizontal and vertical scalability to provide a flexible and scalable cloud environment. This type of scalability allows you to add more instances or resources as needed while also optimizing your existing resources to achieve maximum efficiency.

3. Agility
   Agility is the ability to quickly develop, test, and launch applications in a cloud-based environment. Much like in the athletic theater, agility makes it easier to move nimbly in response to changing environments or challenges. It allows businesses to create, launch, and test their applications quickly in a cloud-based environment. When an organization is agile, it's able to respond rapidly and effectively to new business challenges or changing technological environments.

4. High Availability
   is the ability of a system or application to remain accessible and operational for a long period of time. A key characteristic of cloud services ensures they can handle different load levels and recover quickly from any failures.

5. Fault Tolerant
   Fault Tolerance refers to the ability of a system to continue functioning even when part of it fails. This is achieved by designing the system in such a way that the failure of a single component does not impact the overall performance of the system.

6. Global Reach
   Cloud computing enables businesses to reach customers and clients globally. With data centres located in various regions, cloud providers offer low-latency access to applications and data from anywhere in the world. This global reach allows businesses to expand their markets and serve customers in different geographic locations effectively.

7. What is the difference between Elasticity and Scalability
   When we talk about scalability, we’re talking about the ability of your cloud services to grow with you. You plan for it, ensuring that your tech can handle the extra load as your business or project grows, whether it’s data storage, processing power, or user traffic.
   Elasticity, on the other hand, is all about flexibility. It’s the cloud’s way of saying, “I’ve got you,” adapting to your needs in real time. Elasticity allows your cloud services to expand instantly to handle the traffic spike and then shrink back down when things cool off, ensuring you’re not paying more than you need.