Cloud Computing Capstone (D342)

Correct Answer

B. Providing users with only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions

Explanation

The principle of least privilege is a security concept where users are granted the minimum permissions needed to perform their specific tasks. This minimizes the potential attack surface by limiting access to sensitive resources, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions.

Why other options are wrong

A. Granting users full access to all resources to ensure flexibility

This contradicts the principle of least privilege. Granting full access increases the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of resources.

C. Allowing users to request additional permissions as needed without restrictions

While users can request additional permissions, this approach doesn't align with the principle of least privilege, which requires limiting permissions unless absolutely necessary.

D. Assigning permissions based on user roles without considering specific tasks

This can result in users having excessive permissions. The principle of least privilege emphasizes tailoring permissions to specific tasks, not just roles.

Correct Answer

A. pay-as-you-go

Explanation

The "pay-as-you-go" pricing model is a fundamental characteristic of cloud computing. It allows businesses and individuals to only pay for the services they use, without the need for large upfront costs. This model helps optimize costs by charging based on consumption, making it more flexible and scalable. This on-demand model is ideal for organizations as they can adjust resources as their needs change, without committing to long-term contracts or large capital expenditures.

Why other options are wrong

B. up-front

This is incorrect because up-front pricing requires payment at the beginning of the service, which is not typical in cloud computing. Cloud services generally offer flexibility through pay-as-you-go pricing rather than charging upfront for resources.

C. discount

This is incorrect because while discounts may be available under certain pricing plans, the core cloud computing pricing model is pay-as-you-go. Discounts apply to specific scenarios (such as reserved instances or long-term commitments), but they do not describe the overall model of cloud pricing.

D. premium

This is incorrect because premium pricing typically refers to services or products that come at a higher price for added features or luxury. In cloud computing, the pay-as-you-go model is commonly used regardless of whether the services are basic or premium, meaning it is not inherently tied to premium pricing.

Correct Answer

A. AWS Management Console

Explanation

The AWS Management Console provides a user-friendly, intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) for interacting with AWS services. It allows users to easily navigate, configure, and manage resources across AWS services with minimal technical expertise required. The console simplifies the process of setting up and monitoring services through a web-based interface.

Why other options are wrong

B. AWS Command Line Interface (CLI)

The AWS CLI is a command-line tool that requires users to type commands in a terminal or command prompt. While powerful and scriptable, it is not as intuitive or user-friendly as the graphical interface provided by the AWS Management Console.

C. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

APIs are used for programmatic interaction with AWS services. While they are essential for automated and advanced interactions, they require coding skills and are not a graphical user interface, making them less intuitive for most users.

D. AWS Software Development Kits (SDKs)

AWS SDKs are software libraries used for building applications that interact with AWS services. Like APIs, they are meant for developers and are not a graphical user interface, making them unsuitable for users seeking a GUI experience.

Correct Answer

B. AWS is responsible for maintaining the physical infrastructure, allowing users to access and manage resources through a web interface.

Explanation

Amazon Web Services (AWS) operates as a cloud service provider that abstracts and manages the underlying physical infrastructure. This allows customers to access computing power, storage, and networking through a user-friendly web interface. Users do not need to manage physical servers, which promotes scalability, reliability, and flexibility while reducing overhead costs.

Why other options are wrong

A. AWS provides the software applications while users manage their own hardware.

This is incorrect because AWS does not require users to manage their own hardware. Instead, it provides a cloud platform where both infrastructure and services are maintained by AWS, allowing users to focus on application deployment and management.

C. AWS only offers storage solutions without any networking capabilities.

This is incorrect because AWS offers a wide range of services beyond just storage. It includes networking, compute, machine learning, databases, and much more. Limiting AWS to only storage disregards the full spectrum of its cloud capabilities.

D. AWS requires users to purchase and maintain their own servers for application deployment.

This is incorrect as one of the core advantages of AWS is eliminating the need for users to buy or maintain physical servers. AWS provides infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), which allows users to deploy applications on virtual servers managed by AWS.

Correct Answer

C. Application uptime

Explanation

High availability (HA) refers to systems or components that are continuously operational, minimizing downtime. It is primarily measured by the uptime of an application or system, ensuring that it remains available to users with minimal interruptions. Uptime is a key indicator of high availability.

Why other options are wrong

A. Security breaches

While security is crucial for overall system reliability, high availability specifically focuses on system uptime and reducing service interruptions. Security breaches are more about the integrity and confidentiality of the system, not availability.

B. Application errors

Application errors are related to performance and functionality but are not directly tied to high availability. High availability is concerned with keeping the system operational, not necessarily with errors in its functioning.

D. Component failures

While component failures can impact availability, high availability is about ensuring continuous operation despite component failures, typically through redundancy, failover mechanisms, and fault tolerance, rather than directly measuring the failures themselves.

Correct Answer

A. Enhanced data isolation

Explanation

A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) provides an isolated environment within a cloud provider’s infrastructure. It allows users to define and control network configurations, including IP address ranges, subnets, and routing tables, ensuring enhanced security and data isolation from other users' data in the public cloud.

Why other options are wrong

B. Increased hardware dependency

VPCs reduce hardware dependency by abstracting infrastructure, enabling users to focus on cloud services rather than managing physical hardware.

C. Limited scalability

This is incorrect. VPCs are designed to allow scalability, enabling resources to be dynamically scaled as needed without limitations.

D. Higher operational costs

VPCs are generally cost-efficient as they allow for greater control over network architecture and resource management, reducing unnecessary overhead. They do not inherently increase operational costs.

Correct Answer

C. AWS Software Developer Kit (SDK)

Explanation

The AWS SDK is a collection of libraries and tools that allow developers to programmatically interact with AWS services through code. It provides the APIs and utilities necessary for integrating AWS services directly into applications, enabling interaction with AWS resources from various programming languages, such as Python, Java, and Node.js.

Why other options are wrong

A. AWS Management Console

This is incorrect because the AWS Management Console is a web-based user interface used to manage and configure AWS services manually. While it allows for interaction with AWS resources, it does not enable developers to interact programmatically via code.

B. AWS Command Line Interface (CLI)

This option is incorrect because while the AWS CLI is a powerful tool for interacting with AWS services from the command line, it is not specifically for developers to programmatically integrate AWS into applications. The CLI is more of a command-line utility for direct commands, while the SDK is designed for embedding AWS service interactions into software.

Correct Answer

B. That the right individual gets access to the right resources at the right time for the right reasons.

Explanation

IAM is primarily focused on ensuring that users are granted access to resources based on their roles and responsibilities, while maintaining security. It ensures that individuals can only access the resources they need to perform their job functions (least privilege) and prevents unauthorized access. Proper IAM systems allow for authentication (verifying who the user is), authorization (ensuring they have permission), and auditing (tracking their access), making the right individuals able to access the right resources at the appropriate time.

Why other options are wrong

A. That all users are properly authorized

This option focuses only on authorization, which is a part of IAM but not its complete definition. IAM involves both authentication (identifying users) and authorization (determining access), so it encompasses a broader scope than just ensuring users are authorized.

C. That all users are properly authenticated

Authentication is a critical component of IAM, but IAM also includes authorization, ensuring that users not only identify themselves correctly but also have the right permissions to access specific resources. This option does not cover the complete purpose of IAM.

D. That unauthorized users will get access to the right resources at the right time for the right reasons

This option is incorrect because IAM's role is to prevent unauthorized access, not to allow it. IAM ensures that only authorized users can access resources, based on defined policies and permissions.

Correct Answer

A. To run any containerized workload with Elastic Container Service (ECS) that can be interrupted

Explanation

Amazon EC2 Spot instances are best suited for workloads that are flexible and can tolerate interruptions. They offer cost savings by allowing you to take advantage of unused EC2 capacity at reduced prices, but they can be terminated by AWS when there is a demand for the resources. Running containerized workloads with ECS that can handle interruptions is an ideal use case for Spot instances, as they can scale efficiently while minimizing costs.

Why other options are wrong

B. To install cost-effective RDS database

This is incorrect because EC2 Spot instances are not suitable for RDS databases, which require more consistent availability. RDS instances are better suited for On-Demand or Reserved instances to ensure uptime and stability.

C. To run batch processes for critical workloads

This is incorrect because Spot instances are not ideal for critical workloads that require guaranteed availability. Critical workloads should use On-Demand or Reserved instances, which provide more reliable and consistent performance.

D. To run scheduled jobs (jobs that run at the same time every day)

This is incorrect because while Spot instances may work for scheduled jobs, they are less reliable compared to On-Demand instances for such tasks. Spot instances can be interrupted with little notice, so they are not a good fit for scheduled jobs that need guaranteed execution.