CY-703-D Cloud Computing - Jun 2025 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
   aWhat are the key characteristics of cloud computing, and how does it differ from traditional computing models?
   How to answer

   • Define cloud computing and list NIST key characteristics: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service
   • Explain each characteristic briefly
   • Contrast with traditional computing: ownership vs pay-as-you-go, scalability, maintenance, upfront cost
   • Give examples and conclude with benefits
2. 7 Marks
   bCompare and contrast public and private cloud models in terms of security, scalability and cost.
   How to answer

   • Define public cloud and private cloud deployment models
   • Compare on security: multi-tenancy vs dedicated control
   • Compare on scalability: unlimited on-demand vs limited by enterprise capacity
   • Compare on cost: OPEX pay-as-you-go vs high CAPEX
3. 7 Marks
   aExplain the role of Amazon EC2, Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure in cloud computing.
   How to answer

   • Introduce Amazon EC2 as IaaS compute service
   • Introduce Google App Engine as PaaS for application hosting
   • Introduce Microsoft Azure as hybrid cloud platform with IaaS/PaaS/SaaS
   • Summarize their roles in enabling scalable cloud computing
4. 7 Marks
   bDifferentiate between SaaS, PaaS and IaaS with suitable examples.
   How to answer

   • Define SaaS with control and user examples e.g. Gmail, Salesforce
   • Define PaaS with examples e.g. Google App Engine, Azure App Service
   • Define IaaS with examples e.g. EC2, Azure VMs
   • Compare in table on target users, control, management responsibility
5. 7 Marks
   aExplain the conceptual cloud model and cloud stack in cloud computing.
   How to answer

   • Define conceptual cloud model: layers and actors
   • Explain cloud stack: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS and underlying infrastructure
   • Show relationship between layers with diagram
   • Explain service flow from hardware to application
6. 7 Marks
   bWhat is Storage Cloud and how does it improve data management and security?
   How to answer

   • Define Storage Cloud / cloud storage
   • Explain features: virtualized pool, replication, on-demand access
   • Explain improvement in data management: scalability, availability, lifecycle
   • Explain improvement in security: encryption, access control, backup
7. 7 Marks
   aWhat is sensor virtualization and how does it enhance cloud computing?
   How to answer

   • Define sensor virtualization: abstraction of physical sensors
   • Explain architecture: virtual sensor layer, middleware
   • Explain benefits: sharing, programmability, multi-tenancy
   • Link to cloud-IoT integration and examples
8. 7 Marks
   bHow does Cloud Server Virtualization contribute to cost efficiency and scalability?
   How to answer

   • Define cloud server virtualization and hypervisor
   • Explain consolidation leading to cost efficiency: higher utilization, less hardware
   • Explain scalability: live migration, elastic provisioning
   • Give examples of VMware, KVM, Hyper-V
9. 7 Marks
   aDescribe the architecture and working of a Virtualized Data Center.
   How to answer

   • Define virtualized data center concept
   • Describe architecture: servers, storage, network virtualization with management layer
   • Explain working: VM provisioning, resource pooling, automation
   • Include diagram of virtualized data center
10. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the fundamental security challenges in cloud computing, and how can they be mitigated?
    How to answer

    • List fundamental challenges: data breaches, insecure APIs, multi-tenancy, insider threats, compliance
    • Explain each challenge briefly
    • Suggest mitigations: encryption, IAM, auditing, SLA, security frameworks
    • Conclude with shared responsibility model
11. 7 Marks
    aExplain the role of Identity Management and Access Control in cloud security.
    How to answer

    • Define Identity Management and Access Control in cloud
    • Explain components: authentication, authorization, IAM policies, MFA, RBAC
    • Explain role in preventing unauthorized access and ensuring least privilege
    • Give examples of AWS IAM, Azure AD
12. 7 Marks
    bDescribe Micro-Architectures in cloud computing security and their impact on performance.
    How to answer

    • Define micro-architectures: microservices, micro-segmentation, micro-hypervisors
    • Explain security benefits: isolation, least privilege, reduced attack surface
    • Discuss performance impact: overhead vs scalability and resilience
    • Give examples in cloud-native security
13. 7 Marks
    aHow does SOA integrate with IaaS in a cloud environment?
    How to answer

    • Define SOA principles: loosely coupled services
    • Explain IaaS capabilities: virtualized compute/storage
    • Explain integration: hosting SOA services on IaaS, elasticity, service orchestration
    • Give example workflow
14. 7 Marks
    bExplain the concept of Sky Computing and its relevance to modern cloud infrastructures.
    How to answer

    • Define Sky Computing: inter-cloud / multi-cloud federation
    • Explain features: broker, interoperability across providers
    • Explain relevance: avoid vendor lock-in, optimize cost and resilience
    • Discuss modern infrastructure use cases
15. 14 Marks
    Write short notes on any two of the following:

    1. a)Information life cycle management
    2. b)VM Security Recommendations
    3. c)Apache Virtual Computing Lab (VCL)
    How to answer

    • For ILM: define stages from creation to disposal and policies
    • For VM security: list hardening, patching, isolation, monitoring recommendations
    • For VCL: define Apache VCL purpose, architecture and uses
    • Provide diagrams/examples for any two chosen topics