Thursday, November 6th, 2025 | Notion

Deep Dive I · How the Cloud Actually Works

🎯 Learning Intention

I will describe how cloud systems deliver computing resources and identify the main models that power modern IT infrastructure.

✅ Success Criteria

I can explain what the “cloud” is in technical terms.
I can define and differentiate IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
I can identify examples of cloud resources used in my daily life.

☀️ Warm-Up (5 min)

“List every online tool you used before 1 p.m. today. Which ones run on someone else’s computers?”

🧠 Mini-Lesson (15 min) — What Is ‘the Cloud’ Really?

Definition: A network of remote servers that store, manage, and process data — instead of relying on local machines.
Three service layers:

Model	Description	Example	What You Manage
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)	Virtualized computing resources—servers, storage, networking.	Google Compute Engine / AWS EC2	OS, apps, data
PaaS (Platform as a Service)	Complete environment for developers — runtime, databases, tools.	App Engine / Azure Functions	Code + data
SaaS (Software as a Service)	Ready-to-use applications via browser.	Gmail, Google Drive, Salesforce	Only usage + data

Deployment Models:
- Public Cloud — shared infrastructure managed by provider.
- Private Cloud — exclusive to one organization.
- Hybrid Cloud — mix of both for flexibility.

Analogy:

IaaS = renting a kitchen to cook.
PaaS = catering service where you choose the menu.