Cloud Infrastructure

Simple Definition for Beginners:

Cloud infrastructure refers to the virtual components and resources, like servers, storage, and networking, that are used to create and manage cloud computing environments.

Common Use Example:

A business uses cloud infrastructure to host its website and applications, ensuring they are accessible to users over the internet without needing to maintain physical servers.

Technical Definition for Professionals:

Cloud infrastructure consists of the combination of hardware, abstracted resources, storage, and network components necessary to deliver cloud computing services. These resources are virtualized and provided to users over the internet, often on a pay-as-you-go basis. Core elements of cloud infrastructure include compute (virtual machines and containers), storage (block, file, and object storage), and networking (virtual networks, load balancers, and gateways). Cloud infrastructure can be deployed in various models such as public, private, or hybrid clouds, and managed through infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platforms. Key aspects include scalability, flexibility, redundancy, and high availability, ensuring reliable and efficient operation of applications and services.