SuperIaaS Cloud Glossary of Terms

A process where two versions of a web page, service, or application are compared to see which performs better. This is frequently used in cloud environments to optimize user experience and conversion rates through controlled experiments.

A method to regulate who can view, edit, or delete data or resources within a cloud environment. This ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals or systems, often managed via IAM tools.

A security measure that temporarily blocks access to an account after too many unsuccessful login attempts. This protects against brute-force attacks by limiting the number of guesses an attacker can make.

A server that sits between client devices and backend services, managing API requests. It handles tasks such as routing, authentication, and rate limiting, enabling communication between multiple cloud services efficiently.

A cloud service feature that automatically adjusts the number of compute instances in response to load changes. This ensures optimal performance and cost efficiency by scaling resources up during high demand and scaling down when demand decreases.

A distinct physical location within a cloud provider's region that hosts computing resources. Availability Zones are isolated from each other to improve fault tolerance and ensure high availability of applications.

A unique identifier used to authenticate and authorize API requests. Cloud services often use API keys to ensure that only approved applications or users can access their services.

Amazon's serverless compute service that automatically runs code in response to events. AWS Lambda eliminates the need to provision or manage servers, allowing for automatic scaling of resources based on the volume of incoming requests.

The process of verifying the identity of a user, system, or application. In cloud environments, authentication mechanisms such as OAuth, SAML, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are often employed to ensure secure access.

Microsoft's serverless compute service that runs code in response to triggers, like HTTP requests or events. Azure Functions allow developers to focus solely on code rather than infrastructure, enabling event-driven computing in the cloud.

A physical server dedicated to a single tenant, offering complete control over the hardware and the underlying operating system. Bare metal servers are often used for high-performance workloads that require direct access to the hardware.

A type of cloud storage that stores data in fixed-size blocks. This type of storage is commonly used for databases, virtual machines, and applications requiring fast, consistent data access.

In cloud object storage, a bucket refers to a container for storing data objects such as files, images, or backups. For example, Amazon S3 uses buckets to store and organize objects in a highly scalable and durable environment.

A copy of data that is stored separately from the original source to ensure recoverability in case of data loss. Cloud backups are typically automated and distributed across multiple regions for redundancy.

The maximum data transfer rate of a network or internet connection, usually measured in bits per second. In cloud environments, bandwidth costs are often associated with the amount of data transferred between instances, storage, and the internet.

A cloud service feature that provides temporary access to additional compute or storage resources during traffic spikes. This allows applications to maintain performance levels during periods of unexpected or high demand.

A strategy to ensure critical operations continue during or after a disaster. Cloud services support business continuity by offering backup, disaster recovery, and geographically dispersed infrastructure to prevent single points of failure.

A storage service for storing large amounts of unstructured data like images, videos, or backups. Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, for example, is designed for highly scalable and secure data storage.

A special-purpose server designed to provide secure access to an internal network from an external one. Bastion hosts are commonly used in cloud environments to manage access to instances within private subnets.

A deployment technique that reduces downtime and risk by running two identical production environments. One environment is "blue" (the old version), and the other is "green" (the new version), allowing for seamless transitions.

A model that enables on-demand access to a shared pool of computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking over the internet. This reduces the need for on-premise hardware and allows businesses to scale resources quickly and efficiently.

An AWS service that enables you to automate the setup and configuration of cloud resources using templates. This infrastructure-as-code approach allows for consistent and repeatable deployment of cloud environments.

AWS's monitoring and observability service for cloud infrastructure. It provides real-time metrics on system performance, resource usage, and operational health, and can trigger alerts based on defined thresholds.

A distributed network of servers designed to deliver web content faster by caching copies of data closer to the user. CDNs help reduce latency and improve load times for applications with a global user base.

A development practice where code changes are automatically tested and deployed to production. Cloud services like AWS CodePipeline and Azure DevOps support CI/CD workflows, speeding up development cycles.

A virtual machine running in the cloud, providing compute power for applications. These instances can be scaled up or down dynamically based on demand, offering flexibility and cost savings.

A lightweight, portable computing environment that packages an application and its dependencies. Containers enable consistent application deployment across different environments and are managed by orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.

A cloud service model that allows users to manage and deploy containerized applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. CaaS platforms like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) simplify container management at scale.

Applications designed specifically to run in a cloud environment, taking advantage of cloud services for scalability, availability, and performance. Cloud-native applications are often built using microservices and serverless architectures.

An AWS service that provides a record of API calls and activity across your AWS account for auditing and compliance purposes. CloudTrail logs help track user activity and changes to resources for security and troubleshooting.

A cloud service that provides database management and operations without the need to manage the underlying infrastructure. DBaaS solutions like Amazon RDS and Azure SQL Database allow developers to focus on data while the platform manages scaling, backups, and maintenance.

A centralized repository that stores raw, unstructured data from various sources. Data lakes are used for big data analytics, machine learning, and real-time processing, providing businesses with flexibility in how they analyze data.

The process of transferring data from various sources into a cloud storage system or data lake. This is a critical part of data pipelines that enables businesses to aggregate and analyze large datasets in real time.

A set of practices that combine software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten development cycles and improve collaboration between teams. Cloud platforms offer DevOps tools to automate tasks like code integration, testing, and deployment.

A system that translates human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. In the cloud, DNS services like Amazon Route 53 ensure users can reach cloud-hosted applications efficiently.

A computing model where tasks are divided across multiple machines, improving performance and fault tolerance. Cloud platforms enable distributed computing by offering scalable resources and high-availability infrastructure.

A cyberattack that overwhelms a service with traffic from multiple sources, making it unavailable to legitimate users. Cloud providers offer DDoS protection tools to mitigate these attacks and ensure service continuity.

A set of policies and procedures designed to recover data, applications, and infrastructure after a catastrophic failure. Cloud platforms provide disaster recovery services that automatically replicate data across regions for quick recovery.

The process of converting data into a secure format that can only be read by authorized users. Cloud services offer encryption for data at rest and in transit to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

The ability of a cloud storage system to ensure that data is not lost or corrupted over time. Services like AWS S3 guarantee durability by replicating data across multiple devices and regions.

Amazon's scalable virtual server service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. EC2 enables users to quickly scale up or down their server instances based on their application's requirements, offering flexibility and cost control.

A service that automatically distributes incoming traffic across multiple compute resources like EC2 instances. ELBs are used to improve fault tolerance and availability by rerouting traffic away from failing or overwhelmed resources.

A method used to encode data, ensuring that it can only be read by authorized individuals or systems. Encryption is used extensively in cloud environments to protect both data at rest (stored data) and data in transit (data being transferred).

A computing architecture where data processing occurs near the data source or at the network edge rather than in a centralized cloud data center. This reduces latency and improves real-time data processing, which is critical for applications like IoT and autonomous vehicles.

The outbound movement of data from a cloud environment to another system or external service. Cloud providers often charge for egress data, which can lead to additional costs when transferring large volumes of data.

The ability of a cloud system to dynamically scale resources up or down in response to demand. Elasticity ensures that applications can handle varying workloads without requiring manual intervention or incurring unnecessary costs.

A software architecture that reacts to events in real time, triggering automated actions in response to conditions. This architecture is a cornerstone of serverless computing and is often implemented using cloud services like AWS Lambda or Azure Functions.

A unit of digital information storage equivalent to one billion gigabytes or one quintillion bytes. Exabytes are used to quantify large-scale data storage in the cloud, especially for data-heavy industries like media and research.

A temporary storage space provided by cloud instances that is deleted when the instance is stopped or terminated. It is typically used for non-persistent data that does not need to be retained after a session ends.

Software used by organizations to manage business processes such as accounting, procurement, and supply chain. Cloud-based ERP solutions allow businesses to access critical tools from anywhere and reduce infrastructure costs by offloading the need for on-premise servers.

A serverless compute service that allows developers to run small units of code in response to events, without managing underlying infrastructure. FaaS services, such as AWS Lambda, execute functions in the cloud and scale automatically.

A method that ensures continuity by automatically switching to a backup system or resource when the primary one fails. Cloud environments often use failover techniques to maintain high availability and prevent downtime.

A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Cloud firewalls are commonly used to protect cloud-based applications from unauthorized access and cyberattacks.

The practice of linking multiple authentication systems to allow users to access resources across different domains or cloud environments. Federation simplifies user authentication, especially in multi-cloud or hybrid environments.

A development approach that involves both front-end (client-side) and back-end (server-side) programming. Full-stack developers are often tasked with building cloud-based applications that can scale and interact with various cloud services.

A means of linking a user's digital identity across different systems, often enabling single sign-on (SSO) between multiple cloud services or applications. This improves user experience by reducing the need to log into multiple services separately.

The ability of a system to continue operating properly even in the event of a component failure. Cloud services achieve fault tolerance by replicating data across different locations and using redundant resources to handle unexpected outages.

A network architecture where all devices are on the same layer and can communicate without a hierarchy. Flat networks simplify configuration but may introduce security and performance issues in larger environments.

A cloud service offering that provides limited resources for free to allow users to try out services without upfront costs. Free tiers are common in IaaS platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and are popular for testing and development purposes.

A cloud architecture in which multiple cloud providers or services collaborate to provide a unified system to the end-user. Federated clouds allow businesses to leverage the strengths of different providers while maintaining a single point of control.

Google's suite of cloud services for computing, data storage, machine learning, and big data analytics. GCP competes with AWS and Azure by offering scalable, secure infrastructure and advanced AI services.

A specialized hardware component designed to accelerate the processing of complex mathematical calculations, particularly for graphics and machine learning tasks. GPUs are widely used in cloud services for deep learning, rendering, and large-scale data analysis.

A networking service that improves the availability and performance of applications by directing user traffic through optimized routes within a global network. Global Accelerators help reduce latency for end-users by finding the best path to the application backend.

Refers to the level of detail or specificity in data, services, or resources. In cloud environments, granular control is important for defining permissions, allocating resources, and monitoring performance metrics precisely.

A framework for managing and regulating resources, compliance, and security in a cloud environment. Proper governance ensures that cloud services are used according to policies and best practices, protecting sensitive data and controlling costs.

The stage in a cloud service's release cycle where it is made widely available to all customers after initial testing phases. GA indicates that the service is fully stable, supported, and ready for production use.

An Amazon S3 storage class designed for long-term, low-cost data archiving. Glacier is intended for data that is rarely accessed but must be retained for regulatory or historical reasons.

The process of building an entirely new cloud system or application from scratch without considering legacy infrastructure. Greenfield deployments often allow for more flexibility in design but may require significant planning.

A managed Kubernetes service that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. GKE simplifies container orchestration and integrates tightly with Google Cloud's infrastructure.

A pre-configured, read-only image of a virtual machine or container that serves as the base template for deployment. Golden images ensure consistency across multiple instances by starting from the same standardized configuration.

The design and implementation of systems that ensure maximum uptime and minimal service interruption. High Availability is achieved through redundancy, load balancing, and failover strategies in cloud environments.

A cloud computing environment that combines private cloud infrastructure with public cloud services. Hybrid clouds provide businesses with the flexibility to run sensitive workloads on-premises while scaling other services in the public cloud.

The process of adding more instances of a resource (like servers or virtual machines) to accommodate increased demand. Horizontal scaling allows for better distribution of workloads without overloading individual systems.

An open-source framework for processing large datasets in a distributed computing environment. Hadoop is commonly used for big data analytics in cloud environments, particularly for unstructured data storage and analysis.

A virtual machine image that has been secured and optimized for deployment in production environments. Hardened images undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are free from vulnerabilities and performance issues.

A physical or virtual machine that runs applications, databases, or services in a cloud environment. Hosts are managed and orchestrated to provide computing resources on demand.

A backup system that is kept running in parallel with the primary system and can take over in case of failure. Hot standby configurations minimize downtime during outages by ensuring that resources are immediately available.

Software that creates and manages virtual machines by enabling multiple operating systems to share the same physical hardware. Hypervisors are used in cloud environments to create virtualized instances of servers, reducing the need for physical machines.

A Kubernetes component that automatically adjusts the number of pods in a deployment based on CPU utilization or other metrics. HPA helps maintain optimal performance and resource usage in cloud-native applications.

The use of supercomputers and parallel processing techniques to solve complex computational problems. Cloud providers offer HPC solutions to businesses that need to perform large-scale simulations, data analysis, and research tasks.

A cloud computing model where virtualized infrastructure (servers, storage, networking) is provided to users on demand. IaaS allows businesses to outsource hardware management while retaining control over their operating systems and applications.

A framework of policies and technologies used to manage user access to resources within a cloud environment. IAM tools provide fine-grained access control, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific resources.

The process of allowing external data to enter a cloud environment, typically referring to incoming network traffic. In Kubernetes, an ingress is an API object that manages external access to services within a cluster.

A virtual server running in a cloud environment that provides compute power for applications. Instances are the fundamental units of cloud computing in IaaS models, and they can be dynamically resized, started, and stopped.

Temporary block storage attached to an instance in the cloud. Unlike more persistent storage options, instance store data is lost when the instance is stopped or terminated, making it suitable for short-term, high-speed operations.

The practice of managing and provisioning computing infrastructure using machine-readable configuration files. IaC tools, like AWS CloudFormation or Terraform, allow developers to automate cloud resource management.

A unique identifier assigned to a device connected to a network. In the cloud, both public and private IP addresses are assigned to instances to manage communication between resources and external services.

The ability of cloud services and systems to work together seamlessly, regardless of provider or architecture. Ensuring interoperability is key in multi-cloud environments, where businesses use services from multiple cloud providers.

A protocol suite for securing IP communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet. IPSec is commonly used in cloud environments for secure site-to-site or remote-access VPNs.

A concept where servers are never modified after deployment; instead, new servers are created with the desired changes, and the old ones are decommissioned. This ensures consistency, reduces configuration drift, and improves system reliability.

A lightweight data interchange format used for storing and transporting structured data. JSON is widely used in cloud-based APIs due to its simplicity and compatibility with most programming languages.

An open-source automation server used to implement continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Jenkins integrates with cloud platforms to automate testing and deployment of applications in cloud environments.

The process of managing and automating the execution of tasks in a cloud environment at predefined times or intervals. Cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud offer job scheduling features to automate backups, system updates, and data processing tasks.

An open-source tool that provides an interactive environment for writing and executing code, often used for data science and machine learning projects. In cloud environments, Jupyter Notebooks are frequently used to prototype and run analytics workloads.

A cloud security concept where resources and access permissions are granted only when needed and are revoked immediately afterward. JIT reduces the risk of unauthorized access by minimizing the time that elevated privileges are active.

An open-source platform for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes enables efficient orchestration of containers, ensuring that cloud applications can scale dynamically and remain highly available.

AWS's real-time data streaming service that allows developers to ingest and process large volumes of data. Kinesis is commonly used for building applications that require real-time analytics, such as financial services, log analysis, or gaming platforms.

A cloud service that allows users to create, manage, and control encryption keys. KMS ensures that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, adding a critical layer of security for sensitive cloud workloads.

A set of nodes (worker machines) that run containerized applications and services, managed by a Kubernetes master. The cluster handles scheduling, scaling, and networking for containerized applications, making it ideal for large, distributed cloud systems.

A network authentication protocol that uses tickets to allow nodes to securely verify each other's identity. Kerberos is often employed in cloud environments to secure communications between services.

The time it takes for a request to travel from the client to the server and back. In cloud environments, low-latency networks are crucial for applications requiring real-time processing, such as video streaming and online gaming.

A method of distributing incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure that no single server becomes overwhelmed. Cloud providers offer load balancers to improve availability, fault tolerance, and responsiveness of applications.

A data-processing architecture designed to handle large-scale data streams by combining real-time and batch processing. Lambda architecture is commonly used in big data analytics and cloud-based IoT solutions.

A security principle that ensures users and systems are granted the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks. Implementing least privilege in cloud environments reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

A process of testing how a system behaves under heavy or peak load conditions. Cloud platforms allow developers to simulate increased traffic to ensure that applications remain stable and perform efficiently under stress.

The practice of recording events or transactions to track the operation and performance of cloud services. Cloud platforms provide centralized logging tools like AWS CloudWatch Logs to help monitor applications, detect issues, and improve security.

A set of rules that manage the lifecycle of cloud resources like storage objects, instances, or snapshots. Lifecycle policies automate tasks such as transitioning data to cheaper storage tiers or deleting old backups.

A routing strategy where traffic is directed to the cloud server with the lowest latency relative to the user's location. This is especially useful for global applications that aim to provide the fastest response times to users worldwide.

A lightweight virtualization technology that allows multiple isolated Linux systems to run on a single host. LXC is widely used in cloud environments to provide efficient, resource-isolated environments for applications.

The practice of analyzing log data to monitor system health, detect anomalies, and ensure compliance. Cloud providers offer tools like Azure Monitor and Google Cloud's Operations Suite to aggregate and visualize logs for actionable insights.

Cloud services where the provider takes on the responsibility of managing infrastructure tasks such as maintenance, patching, and backups. Managed services free businesses from day-to-day operational tasks, allowing them to focus on development and innovation.

A software architecture pattern where applications are broken down into small, loosely coupled services that can be deployed independently. Microservices are commonly deployed in cloud environments due to their scalability and flexibility.

A cloud computing architecture where multiple customers (tenants) share the same computing resources while maintaining data isolation. Multi-tenancy allows for efficient resource usage, as multiple organizations can share infrastructure while keeping their environments secure.

A strategy that involves using multiple cloud providers to meet different business or technical requirements. Multi-cloud environments help organizations avoid vendor lock-in and take advantage of the unique services offered by different cloud providers.

The process of continuously tracking the performance, availability, and security of cloud resources. Cloud monitoring tools like AWS CloudWatch and Azure Monitor provide real-time data and alerts to ensure smooth operations and quick resolution of issues.

A subset of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn from data and improve their performance over time. Cloud providers offer managed machine learning services like Amazon SageMaker and Google AI Platform to accelerate development and deployment of AI models.

A cloud service where the provider manages Kubernetes clusters on behalf of the user. Managed Kubernetes services, such as Amazon EKS and Azure AKS, handle infrastructure tasks like node provisioning, upgrades, and scaling.

Data that provides information about other data, such as file names, creation dates, or permissions. In cloud storage systems, metadata is used to organize, manage, and secure data.

A communication system that allows applications or services to exchange messages asynchronously. Cloud message queue services, such as Amazon SQS or Google Pub/Sub, decouple system components to improve scalability and reliability.

Software that sits between the operating system and applications, providing services such as messaging, authentication, and database management. In the cloud, middleware plays a crucial role in integrating various services and platforms.

A method used to modify network address information in packet headers as they pass through a router or firewall. In cloud environments, NAT is commonly used to allow instances in a private subnet to access the internet while remaining isolated from external traffic.

A single compute instance in a distributed cloud environment that performs specific tasks. In Kubernetes, a node can be a physical or virtual machine that runs containerized applications.

A feature in Kubernetes used to divide cluster resources between multiple users or teams, ensuring isolation and organization. Namespaces are helpful for managing large-scale, multi-tenant environments in cloud applications.

A set of security rules that control inbound and outbound traffic to cloud resources. NSGs are commonly used in Azure to restrict access to virtual networks, subnets, and individual instances.

A type of non-relational database designed to handle large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data. NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB and Cassandra, are widely used in cloud environments for their ability to scale horizontally and manage high transaction rates.

The delay experienced in data transmission over a network, often measured in milliseconds. In cloud environments, reducing network latency is critical for applications requiring real-time processing, such as online gaming or financial trading.

A distributed file system protocol that allows users to access files over a network as if they were on their local machines. NFS is commonly used in cloud environments to provide scalable, shared storage solutions.

The arrangement and design of devices and connections within a network. In cloud environments, network topology impacts how efficiently resources are used and how quickly data can move between services and users.

The ability to run virtual machines (VMs) inside other virtual machines. Nested virtualization allows cloud users to create complex test and development environments that closely mimic production systems.

A high-performance load balancer that distributes traffic based on IP protocol data and is designed for extreme performance. NLBs are used in cloud environments to manage traffic with very low latency, making them suitable for real-time applications.

A cloud storage architecture that manages data as objects, typically in a flat namespace. Object storage solutions like Amazon S3 are highly scalable and ideal for storing unstructured data such as media files, backups, and large datasets.

The automated arrangement, coordination, and management of complex cloud services and workloads. Cloud orchestration tools like Kubernetes manage containerized applications, handling tasks such as scaling, networking, and service discovery.

An open-source cloud computing platform used for building and managing public and private clouds. OpenStack provides Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) capabilities and is widely used by enterprises that want more control over their cloud environments.

Cloud compute instances that are billed on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no long-term commitments. On-demand instances are ideal for short-term workloads or applications with unpredictable traffic patterns.

An open standard for access delegation that allows third-party applications to access user data without exposing credentials. OAuth is frequently used in cloud environments to manage authentication and authorization for APIs and services.

A pre-configured virtual machine template that includes the operating system, software, and configuration settings. OS images are used in cloud environments to quickly spin up new instances with consistent setups.

A set of rules that automatically manage the transition or expiration of data stored in cloud object storage. Lifecycle policies are used to move data to cheaper storage tiers or to delete obsolete data, reducing storage costs.

The ability to monitor and understand the state of a system based on data from logs, metrics, and traces. In cloud environments, observability tools like Datadog or Prometheus help businesses ensure their applications are operating efficiently and without issues.

A configuration management service provided by AWS that automates server provisioning, configuration, and deployment. OpsWorks integrates with Chef and Puppet to provide flexible control over cloud environments.

The process of moving data out of a cloud environment, typically to another system or to the internet. Cloud providers often charge for outbound data transfer, so monitoring and optimizing it is important to avoid excessive costs.

A cloud computing model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. PaaS solutions like AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Google App Engine simplify application development by automating backend tasks like scaling and load balancing.

A type of cloud infrastructure that is shared across multiple organizations and is available to the general public over the internet. Public clouds, such as those provided by AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, offer scalable, pay-as-you-go services.

A cloud infrastructure operated solely for a single organization. Private clouds provide the benefits of cloud computing—such as scalability and flexibility—while offering greater control over security and compliance.

The process of setting up and configuring cloud resources such as compute instances, storage, or databases. Automated provisioning tools allow organizations to quickly deploy resources without manual intervention.

Storage that retains data even after the associated compute instance is shut down or restarted. In cloud environments, persistent storage solutions like Amazon EBS and Google Cloud Persistent Disks ensure data is available when instances are relaunched.

A feature that uses machine learning to forecast future demand and adjust cloud resources accordingly. Predictive scaling helps applications prepare for traffic spikes before they occur, improving performance and reducing the risk of downtime.

Low-cost cloud compute instances that can be terminated by the provider when resources are needed elsewhere. Preemptible instances, offered by providers like Google Cloud, are ideal for batch processing and non-critical workloads.

An open-source configuration management tool that automates the provisioning and management of cloud infrastructure. Puppet integrates with cloud platforms to ensure that infrastructure changes are consistently applied across environments.

A unique identifier used to identify a specific record in a database. In cloud-hosted databases, primary keys help organize and retrieve data efficiently.

A series of automated steps used to manage the deployment and delivery of code in cloud environments. CI/CD pipelines enable faster releases by automating the testing, building, and deployment of applications.

A request for data or information from a database. In cloud environments, queries are commonly used in services like AWS Athena or Google BigQuery to extract insights from large datasets.

A measure of performance for a system or network, often relating to speed, availability, and reliability. In cloud networks, QoS ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and performance levels.

A next-generation computing model that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations far faster than traditional computers. While still in its early stages, quantum computing holds promise for cloud platforms in fields like encryption, artificial intelligence, and material science.

The minimum number of members of a distributed system required to reach consensus and make a decision. In cloud-based databases and storage systems, quorum mechanisms are used to ensure data consistency and fault tolerance.

A limit imposed by cloud providers on the usage of resources such as compute instances, storage, or API requests. Quotas help prevent overuse of resources and ensure that cloud infrastructure is fairly shared among users.

A cloud service pricing model where users commit to using specific resources over a period of time (typically one or three years) in exchange for a significant discount compared to on-demand pricing. Reserved Instances are often used to reduce long-term cloud costs for predictable workloads.

The process of copying data across multiple servers or locations to ensure availability and redundancy. Cloud services like Amazon RDS and Azure Cosmos DB use replication to provide high availability and disaster recovery.

The practice of limiting the number of requests a client can make to a service in a given time period. Cloud APIs often implement rate limiting to prevent abuse and ensure fair use of resources.

The duplication of critical components or functions of a system to increase reliability. In cloud computing, redundancy ensures that services can continue to operate even if individual components fail.

A specific geographic location where cloud data centers are located. Cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer multiple regions around the world to ensure data sovereignty, reduce latency, and improve fault tolerance.

A database that organizes data into tables with rows and columns, where relationships between tables can be defined. Cloud providers offer managed relational databases like Amazon RDS and Google Cloud SQL to simplify database management and scaling.

A server that sits between client devices and backend servers, forwarding client requests to the appropriate server. Reverse proxies are used in cloud environments for load balancing, caching, and security purposes.

A container used to manage and organize related cloud resources such as virtual machines, databases, and storage in a unified manner. Resource groups help with managing permissions, costs, and policies for a set of resources in cloud environments like Azure and AWS.

An architectural style used for designing networked applications, relying on stateless communication. RESTful APIs are widely used in cloud computing to allow different applications to interact with cloud services.

The maximum amount of time allowed for recovering a system after a failure before significant impact occurs. Cloud providers use RTO to define acceptable downtime limits for disaster recovery strategies.

A cloud computing model where software applications are provided over the internet, eliminating the need for local installation and maintenance. SaaS applications are often subscription-based and can be accessed from anywhere, simplifying updates and scaling.

A cloud computing execution model where the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and automatically allocates resources as needed. In serverless environments, developers focus only on writing code, while scaling, patching, and server management are handled by the cloud provider.

A virtual firewall that controls the inbound and outbound traffic to cloud resources like virtual machines or instances. Security groups in cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure allow users to specify IP ranges and port access for better security.

A contract between a cloud provider and customer that defines the expected level of service, including uptime and response times. SLAs help ensure that cloud providers meet minimum performance and availability standards.

Point-in-time copies of data, typically used for backup, restore, and migration purposes. Cloud providers offer snapshot services for storage volumes and databases, allowing users to create backups without affecting system performance.

A set of predefined rules that dictate how cloud resources should scale up or down based on utilization metrics such as CPU or memory usage. Scaling policies are used to automatically adjust the number of instances or containers to maintain performance during peak times.

A dedicated infrastructure layer that manages service-to-service communication in microservices architectures. Service meshes like Istio or Linkerd provide advanced features such as traffic routing, load balancing, and security for cloud-native applications.

Cloud instances that are offered at a discounted rate but can be terminated by the provider when resources are needed elsewhere. Spot instances are ideal for fault-tolerant workloads that do not require constant uptime.

Amazon's scalable object storage service designed to store and retrieve any amount of data at any time. S3 is commonly used for backups, big data, and static website hosting, with built-in redundancy to ensure high durability.

A contract or agreement to use cloud resources, typically based on a pay-as-you-go model. Subscriptions in cloud environments allow users to access services on demand while keeping costs predictable.

An open-source tool that automates the creation, management, and scaling of infrastructure resources using configuration files. Terraform enables Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) practices, allowing for consistent and repeatable deployments across multiple cloud providers.

The rate at which data is processed or transferred in a cloud system, typically measured in bits per second. Throughput is a key metric for cloud storage and networking, as it impacts the speed and efficiency of data transfers.

The process of replacing sensitive data with non-sensitive placeholders (tokens) to protect information in cloud systems. Tokenization is widely used in cloud security for processing credit card information, healthcare data, and other sensitive information.

A cryptographic protocol that provides end-to-end security for data transmitted over the internet. TLS is commonly used in cloud environments to secure communications between clients and cloud services.

The practice of controlling network traffic to optimize performance, reduce congestion, or prioritize specific types of data. In cloud environments, traffic shaping helps ensure that critical services receive the necessary bandwidth.

A financial estimate used to calculate the total cost of owning and operating cloud infrastructure over its entire lifecycle. TCO includes direct costs like subscriptions and indirect costs such as training and maintenance.

A field in network packets or cached data that specifies the duration for which the data is valid. In cloud environments, TTL is commonly used in DNS caching to control how long DNS records are stored before they are refreshed.

A mechanism in Kubernetes that prevents certain pods from being scheduled on specific nodes unless they have a corresponding tolerance. Taints and tolerations ensure that pods are scheduled only on suitable nodes.

The practice of encapsulating one type of network traffic inside another, enabling secure communication over an untrusted network. Tunneling protocols like VPNs are used in cloud environments to secure communication between remote networks and cloud resources.

The practice of duplicating network traffic and sending a copy to a monitoring or analysis system. In cloud environments, traffic mirroring helps detect security vulnerabilities, troubleshoot issues, and analyze real-time network behavior.

The percentage of time a cloud service or system is operational and available. High uptime is critical for mission-critical applications, and most cloud providers guarantee a minimum uptime in their Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

A cloud billing model where customers are charged based on their actual usage of resources, such as storage or compute time. Usage-based billing provides flexibility and cost savings for businesses with fluctuating resource demands.

A script or configuration that runs automatically when a cloud instance is launched, often used for setting up or configuring software. In AWS EC2, user data allows for automating the initialization of instances when they first start.

The process of sending data from one source to a single recipient over a network. In cloud environments, unicast is used for direct communication between servers, applications, or services.

A connectionless protocol used for sending short, quick data transmissions with minimal overhead. UDP is often used in cloud services for real-time applications like video streaming, gaming, and VoIP.

A software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs in an isolated environment within a cloud infrastructure. VMs are widely used in IaaS models to host applications and services in a scalable, cost-effective manner.

A private, isolated cloud environment within a public cloud where users can control networking, security, and resources. VPCs allow businesses to build secure cloud architectures with dedicated IP ranges, firewalls, and VPNs.

The process of adding more resources (CPU, memory, storage) to a single server or instance to improve performance. Vertical scaling is commonly used in cloud environments for databases or applications that require large amounts of compute power.

A block storage device attached to a cloud instance that persists data independently of the instance lifecycle. Cloud storage volumes, such as AWS EBS or Azure Managed Disks, provide flexible, scalable storage for applications and databases.

A secure tunnel that encrypts data transmitted between a device and a cloud network. VPNs are often used to protect communications over untrusted networks, allowing secure access to cloud resources.

A set of applications, services, or processes running on cloud infrastructure. Cloud workloads can range from simple web applications to complex, multi-tiered architectures involving databases, analytics, and machine learning.

A security system that filters and monitors HTTP/S traffic between web applications and the internet. WAFs are commonly used in cloud environments to protect against common web exploits like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

A data storage model where information can only be written once but read multiple times, ensuring immutability. WORM storage is commonly used for regulatory compliance and archival purposes in cloud systems.

A cloud-based virtual desktop environment that provides users with secure, remote access to applications and files. Amazon WorkSpaces and Azure Virtual Desktop allow organizations to deliver virtual desktops to employees from the cloud.

A disaster recovery strategy where a secondary system is kept online and synchronized with the primary system, ready to take over in the event of a failure. Warm standby configurations reduce downtime while maintaining cost efficiency.

An umbrella term that encompasses all services delivered over the internet, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and more. XaaS represents the growing trend of outsourcing IT resources to the cloud.

A markup language used for storing and transporting structured data across networks and applications. XML is commonly used in cloud-based APIs to define the structure of data exchanged between services.

A header used in HTTP requests to identify the original IP address of a client connecting to a web server through an HTTP proxy or load balancer. In cloud environments, the XFF header is crucial for tracking the origin of traffic for security and analytics purposes.

A human-readable data serialization format commonly used in configuration files for cloud services and infrastructure automation. YAML is widely used in tools like Kubernetes and Ansible for defining cloud resource configurations.

A resource management layer in the Hadoop ecosystem that handles job scheduling and cluster resource management. YARN enables cloud-based big data frameworks to run efficiently across distributed systems.

A security framework that assumes no users, devices, or systems are trusted by default, even if they are inside the network perimeter. In cloud environments, zero trust principles require continuous verification and monitoring to ensure secure access.

A cloud architecture that replicates resources across multiple availability zones within the same region to ensure high availability. Zonal redundancy is critical for protecting applications from localized failures in one zone.

A coordination service for distributed applications that manages configuration, synchronization, and group services. In cloud environments, Zookeeper helps maintain the availability and consistency of services across clusters.

A high-performance file system designed for managing and storing massive amounts of data, offering features like data integrity verification, snapshots, and replication. ZFS is widely used in cloud-based storage solutions for its reliability and scalability.

A cloud strategy that ensures that application resources are distributed across multiple availability zones to prevent single points of failure. By ensuring resources are aware of their location within different zones, cloud providers can optimize failover and disaster recovery processes.