1. Define and describe HTTP Cookies?

HTTP cookies are pieces of data that are sent from a website and stored in the user’s web browser. They are used by website owners to remember important data such as the user’s browsing activity, history, or pieces of information that were entered by the user.

2. Define and describe RESTful APIs?

A RESTful API is an application program interface that makes use of HTTP requests in order to get, put, post, and delete data. It is one of the ways through which the operations of computer systems are aligned with the internet. A RESTful API works by breaking down transactions into tiny modules that address individual aspects of the transaction.

3. Please explain the concept of scalability and distinguish between horizontal and vertical scalability in your answer?

Scalability refers to the system’s or network’s capability to handle increasing amount of work, or the potential to enlarge to accommodate increasing workloads. Horizontal scaling is the capability on the addition of more machines on the software system. In contrast, vertical scalability is the capability of increasing the capacity of a single machine. Vertical scalability includes the addition of more processing power, memory, or storage.

4. Please discuss the consequence of hardware virtualization

The advantage of hardware virtualization is that it allows the program running under the operating system to access full control of the CPU.  Virtualization is associated with the reduction of power costs and the capability to consolidate workloads into fewer physical servers. However, hardware virtualization creates security vulnerabilities as the network of the virtualization hosts is not visible.

5. Please discuss the evolution of distributed computing and data center operations into Cloud Computing?

Internet users felt the need to share computer processing resources, a factor that led to the emergence of cloud computing. Computing resources such as storage, applications, servers, and services, can be distributed among multiple users. The Cloud’s data center provisions enable individuals and organizations to store and process their data on an online platform. They can enhance the efficiency of their operations by using the provider’s tools and resources.

6. Please identify and explain the five characteristics of Cloud Computing?

One of the characteristics of cloud computing is that it has an on-demand self-service as the user can provision computing capabilities without the requirement of interacting with each server. Secondly, it has a broad network access, and it can be accessed via computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets. Thirdly, it has resource pooling, where multiple users can be served by resources from a multi-tenant model. The fourth characteristic is that its capabilities are elastic, in that the provision of functionality is determined by demand. Lastly, the usage of resource can be monitored and controlled.

7. Please provide three examples of Cloud Computing, are there differentiating elements within each example?

An example of cloud computing is in social networking websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn that allow users to interact and share content with each other. Secondly, cloud computing is also used in web-based email such as Hotmail and Windows Live Mail. Thirdly, cloud computing is used in document sharing platforms such as Google Docs, which enables users to store and edit documents online. The differentiating elements is that cloud computing can be used to enhance interaction, hosting emails, and store and edit documents online.

8. Please identify and explain the four deployment models of Cloud Computing?

The public cloud is a model where the Cloud services are open for public usage. The second one is the private cloud, which is a secure environment that is protected by a firewall. It only allows Cloud services for authorized users. The Hybrid Cloud is an arrangement between two or more cloud servers, and it can therefore exist under a public of private platform. Lastly, the community cloud is a platform that allowed shared services between many organizations in one community.