AL-604-A Cloud Computing - May 2024 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aCompare and contrast Grid computing with Cloud computing, highlighting their differences and similarities.
   How to answer

   • Define Grid computing and Cloud computing
   • List similarities (distributed, resource sharing, etc.)
   • Contrast on architecture, business model, scalability, management
   • Summarize with comparison table
2. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss potential challenges and risks associated with adopting Grid and Cloud computing from both business and IT perspectives.
   How to answer

   • Identify business perspective risks (cost, compliance, vendor lock-in)
   • Identify IT perspective risks (security, availability, integration)
   • Discuss challenges for Grid vs Cloud adoption
   • Suggest mitigation considerations
3. 7 Marks
   aExplain how organizations can determine the most suitable Cloud deployment model based on their requirements and constraints.
   How to answer

   • List deployment models: public, private, hybrid, community
   • Identify evaluation criteria: security, cost, scalability, compliance
   • Explain mapping requirements and constraints to model
   • Give example selection scenarios
4. 7 Marks
   bDefine computing on demand and explain how it enables dynamic provisioning of computing resources in the Cloud?
   How to answer

   • Define computing on demand / on-demand self-service
   • Explain dynamic provisioning and elasticity
   • Describe resource pooling and automation role
   • Give cloud example
5. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss the importance of information security in Cloud computing and the challenges associated with securing Cloud environments.
   How to answer

   • Define information security in cloud context
   • Explain importance: confidentiality, integrity, availability
   • Discuss challenges: multi-tenancy, data breaches, insider threats
   • Note shared responsibility and compliance issues
6. 7 Marks
   bDefine SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS models and explain their differences.
   How to answer

   • Define SaaS with example
   • Define PaaS with example
   • Define IaaS with example
   • Compare on control, management, use cases
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain how virtualization enables efficient utilization of hardware resources by abstracting physical hardware from virtualized instances.
   How to answer

   • Define virtualization and hypervisor abstraction
   • Explain decoupling physical hardware from VMs
   • Show how it improves utilization via consolidation
   • Mention isolation and resource pooling benefits
8. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss the benefits of LPAR, such as improved resource allocation and isolation between partitions.
   How to answer

   • Define LPAR concept
   • Explain improved resource allocation
   • Explain isolation between partitions
   • List benefits for utilization and security
9. 7 Marks
   aDefine a virtualized data center and explain its architecture, which typically consists of virtualized servers, storage and networking.
   How to answer

   • Define virtualized data center
   • Describe architecture layers: servers, storage, networking
   • Explain virtualization management layer
   • Give benefits
10. 7 Marks
    bExplain how cloud security encompasses various aspects such as data security, network security, identity management and compliance.
    How to answer

    • Define cloud security scope
    • Explain data security aspect
    • Explain network security and identity management
    • Explain compliance aspect
11. 7 Marks
    aDescribe secure execution environments and communications in cloud architectures, including encryption, secure protocols and secure bootstrapping mechanisms.
    How to answer

    • Define secure execution environment
    • Explain encryption and secure protocols
    • Explain secure bootstrapping / attestation
    • Relate to cloud architecture
12. 7 Marks
    bProvide recommendations for securing virtual machines (VMs) in cloud environments, such as using hardened images, implementing network segmentation and monitoring VM activity.
    How to answer

    • List VM hardening best practices
    • Explain hardened images and patching
    • Explain network segmentation
    • Explain monitoring VM activity and logging
13. 7 Marks
    aProvide examples of how SOA facilitates interoperability and integration between cloud-based services and applications.
    How to answer

    • Define SOA principles
    • Explain interoperability via standards / web services
    • Give examples of cloud service integration
    • Mention reusability and loose coupling benefits
14. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss the role of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in developing and deploying e-Business applications on cloud platforms.
    How to answer

    • Define ISVs
    • Explain role in developing e-Business apps
    • Explain role in deploying on cloud platforms
    • Discuss benefits: scalability, faster time to market
15. 14 Marks
    Write a short note on any two:

    1. i)Public vs. Private Clouds
    2. ii)Storage Virtualization
    3. iii)Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
    4. iv)Cloud Infrastructure Benchmarks
    How to answer

    • Select any two topics from i-iv
    • Define each with key features
    • Explain advantages / working briefly
    • Give example or diagram if relevant