Cloud infrastructure is a collection of technology resources, such as servers, storage systems, networks, software, and other IT resources, that are integrated to provide scalable and flexible computing services over the Internet. It enables organisations to create, deploy, and manage applications and data in a remote environment. Cloud infrastructure is a key component of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) service delivery and supports the development of other service models, such as PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service).
Cloud Infrastructure
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Computing servers: Virtual machines and physical machines that perform calculations.
- Storage: Data storage systems with high performance and reliability.
- Networks: Infrastructure that provides data transfer between cloud resources.
- Virtualisation systems: Software to create virtual resources on physical hardware.
- Cybersecurity systems: Data protection mechanisms, firewalls, and access monitoring.
Industry usage
- IT industry: Implementing virtual applications and systems.
- E-commerce: Managing computing resources for web shop applications.
- Finance: Data analysis and transaction processing in a cloud environment.
- Medicine: Storage and processing of large medical data sets.
- Science: Scientific simulations and processing of large volumes of research data.
Importance for the economy
Cloud infrastructure enables companies to flexibly scale IT resources and reduce operating costs by eliminating the need to own and maintain their own physical infrastructure. It also enables rapid innovation and on-demand application development, supporting companies’ digital transformation and increasing their competitiveness in the market.
Related technologies
Mechanism of action
- Cloud infrastructure is based on the integration of hardware and virtual resources in the form of services accessible remotely over the Internet. Users can rent computing resources, such as virtual machines, disk space, and processing power according to their current needs, paying only for the resources actually used. By using virtualisation and automation systems, the cloud infrastructure is highly scalable and flexible, enabling rapid deployment of new environments and optimisation of operating costs.
Advantages
- Scalability: Ability to dynamically adjust resources to meet changing needs.
- Flexibility: Easy deployment of new applications and services in cloud environments.
- Cost optimisation: Paying only for the resources actually used.
- Cybersecurity: Advanced mechanisms to protect data and infrastructure.
- Availability: Ability to access resources from any location and device.
Disadvantages
- Risk of security breaches: Possibility of attacks on remotely stored data.
- Dependence on providers: Risk of dependence on the services of a single cloud provider.
- Costs at heavy use: With heavy use of the cloud, costs can increase significantly.
- Portability issues: Difficulties in migrating resources between different cloud environments.
- Loss of control: Limited control over the physical infrastructure at the service provider.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Servers: High-performance physical servers and virtualisation systems.
- Storage systems: Large memory resources for real-time data storage.
- Virtualisation software: Tools for creating and managing virtual resources.
- Cybersecurity systems: Advanced mechanisms to secure access to data.
- Networks: High-speed transmission networks to support communication between cloud servers.
Required competences
- IT infrastructure management: Ability to design and manage computing resources.
- IT security: Securing systems and data in a cloud environment.
- Network engineering: Management of virtual and physical networks.
- Storage systems: Knowledge of data storage and protection technologies.
- Automation: Creation of scripts to automate administrative tasks.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: High energy demand of cloud data centres.
- Emissions of pollutants: Indirect emissions from the operation of servers.
- Raw material consumption: High demand for electronic components.
- Recycling: Problems with recovering materials from decommissioned IT equipment.
- Waste generated: Electronic waste from equipment replacements and upgrades.
Legal conditions
- Data protection: Regulations for cloud storage and processing.
- Safety standards: Standards for data protection and cloud infrastructures.
- Privacy regulations: Personal data retention regulations (GDPR, CCPA).
- Intellectual property: Rights regarding software and infrastructure used in the cloud.
- Environmental regulations: Standards for managing waste and energy consumption in data centres.