Cloud infrastructure is the foundation of cloud computing. It includes the virtual resources—such as servers, storage, networking, and software—that are delivered over the internet to run applications and services.
Instead of buying and maintaining physical hardware, businesses can use cloud infrastructure provided by platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These providers offer flexible, scalable, and on-demand access to computing resources.
Key components of cloud infrastructure include:
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Compute: Virtual machines or containers that run applications.
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Storage: Object, file, or block storage for data.
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Networking: Virtual networks, load balancers, and firewalls.
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Management tools: Dashboards, APIs, and automation tools.
Cloud infrastructure can be deployed in different models:
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Public Cloud: Shared resources hosted by third-party providers.
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Private Cloud: Dedicated resources for a single organization.
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Hybrid Cloud: A mix of public and private environments.
Benefits include cost savings, scalability, disaster recovery, and faster deployment. However, success depends on proper planning, security, and performance management.
Understanding cloud infrastructure is essential for building reliable, scalable, and modern IT environments—whether you’re launching a startup or managing enterprise systems.
