The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a US government agency that has developed a reference architecture for cloud computing. This architecture provides a conceptual framework for the design, deployment, and management of cloud computing systems. The NIST cloud computing reference architecture is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
Essential Characteristics: The NIST cloud computing reference architecture includes five essential characteristics that define the nature of cloud computing:
On-demand self-service: Cloud computing systems allow users to provision computing resources as needed, without requiring human interaction with service providers.
Broad network access: Cloud computing systems are accessible over the internet or other network connections from a variety of devices.
Resource pooling: Cloud computing systems allow multiple users to share computing resources, which can be dynamically allocated and reallocated as needed.
Rapid elasticity: Cloud computing systems can quickly and easily scale up or down in response to changes in demand for computing resources.
Measured service: Cloud computing systems provide mechanisms for measuring and reporting resource usage, which can be used for billing, capacity planning, and other purposes.
Service Models: The NIST cloud computing reference architecture includes three service models that define the types of cloud services that can be provided:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Cloud providers offer virtualized computing resources, such as servers, storage, and network infrastructure, which users can provision and manage as needed.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Cloud providers offer a platform for developing and deploying applications, which includes tools and services for development, testing, and deployment.
Software as a Service (SaaS): Cloud providers offer software applications that can be accessed over the internet or other network connections, without requiring installation or maintenance by the user.
Deployment Models: The NIST cloud computing reference architecture includes four deployment models that define how cloud services can be deployed:
Public cloud: Cloud services are provided to the general public over the internet, with resources shared among multiple users.
Private cloud: Cloud services are provided within a private network, with resources dedicated to a single organization.
Community cloud: Cloud services are provided to a group of organizations with common interests, such as a group of government agencies or research institutions.
Hybrid cloud: Cloud services are provided through a combination of public and private cloud infrastructures, with data and applications shared between the two.
The NIST cloud computing reference architecture provides a useful framework for designing, deploying, and managing cloud computing systems. By defining essential characteristics, service models, and deployment models, the reference architecture helps ensure that cloud services are reliable, secure, and scalable.
