Cloud Foundations (D282)

Correct Answer

B. It reduces the cost by allowing payment only for resources used

Explanation

Cloud computing allows businesses to pay only for the IT resources they actually use, which significantly reduces costs. This model eliminates the need for large upfront capital investments in hardware and allows for flexible, on-demand pricing based on usage, making IT resources more affordable.

Why other options are wrong

A. It increases the cost due to high-end technology

While cloud computing utilizes advanced technology, it generally reduces overall costs by providing scalability and eliminating the need for expensive, on-premises hardware. High-end technology doesn't inherently increase the cost.

C. It doesn't impact the cost as the price is always fixed

This is incorrect because cloud computing typically operates on a pay-as-you-go or usage-based pricing model, meaning costs are variable based on usage, not fixed.

D. It fluctuates the cost dramatically over time

Cloud computing costs can fluctuate based on usage, but the variability is generally within a predictable range, making it more cost-efficient than traditional IT infrastructure. The fluctuation is not typically dramatic if resources are managed well.

Correct Answer

C. They offer discounts of up to 75% compared to on-demand pricing.

Explanation

Reserved instances in AWS allow users to commit to using specific resources for a one- or three-year term. In exchange for this commitment, AWS offers significant discounts—up to 75%—compared to on-demand pricing, where users pay for resources as they go. This can lead to substantial savings for users who have predictable, long-term workloads, as they are able to lock in lower prices for the resources they need.

Why other options are wrong

A. They eliminate the need for any upfront payment.

This is incorrect because reserved instances typically require an upfront payment. Users can choose to pay either partially upfront, fully upfront, or monthly, but there is still a payment requirement for committing to the reserved instance.

B. They allow users to pay only for the resources they use.

This is incorrect because paying only for what is used is a characteristic of on-demand instances, not reserved instances. Reserved instances require a commitment to a specific amount of capacity over a term, whether or not that capacity is fully utilized.

D. They provide free access to all AWS services.

This is incorrect because reserved instances only apply to specific compute resources (e.g., EC2 instances), and they do not grant free access to other AWS services. Other services are charged separately according to their usage.

Correct Answer

B. A decrease in operational costs due to improved efficiency

Explanation

Cloud automation streamlines IT processes by automating repetitive tasks, reducing the need for manual intervention. This leads to improved efficiency, lower error rates, and reduced operational costs. As a result, the company can optimize resource usage and reduce the time and costs associated with managing its IT infrastructure.

Why other options are wrong

A. An increase in the time required to complete IT tasks

Cloud automation is designed to reduce the time required for IT tasks, not increase it. It accelerates tasks such as provisioning, scaling, and monitoring, which would otherwise be time-consuming when done manually.

C. A rise in the number of IT personnel needed for management

Cloud automation reduces the need for manual intervention and can reduce the number of IT personnel needed for day-to-day management. Automation tools handle many tasks that would otherwise require human oversight.

D. A reduction in the scalability of IT resources

Cloud automation typically improves scalability, as it allows for the dynamic scaling of resources based on demand. It does not reduce scalability, but rather enables more efficient use of resources.

Correct Answer

B. The aggregated cloud usage from a large number of customers results in lower pay-as-you-go prices.

Explanation

Cloud providers achieve economies of scale by pooling resources and serving many customers. This aggregation of demand allows cloud providers to offer lower prices on a pay-as-you-go basis. With many customers sharing the same infrastructure, the costs are distributed, which leads to significant cost savings for individual users.

Why other options are wrong

A. You do not have to invest in technology resources before using them.

While it is true that cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront investment in physical infrastructure, this is not the primary way in which cloud computing saves costs. The main cost-saving feature is the ability to leverage shared infrastructure and pay only for what you use.

C. Accessing services on-demand helps to prevent excess or limited capacity.

On-demand access allows for efficient use of resources, but the main cost-saving benefit comes from shared infrastructure. The ability to scale resources based on demand does contribute to avoiding over-provisioning but is secondary to the overall cost-saving model driven by economies of scale.

D. You can quickly deploy applications to customers and provide them with low latency

While cloud computing can reduce deployment times and improve latency, these are not directly related to cost savings. The primary way cloud computing saves costs is through resource sharing and lower per-unit pricing due to the scale of demand across customers.

Correct Answer

 A. A secure cloud platform that offers a broad set of global cloud-based products.

Explanation

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a comprehensive, secure cloud platform that offers a wide range of services, including computing power, storage options, and networking capabilities. It is used by organizations worldwide to host and scale applications and manage their cloud infrastructure.

Why other options are wrong

B. A remote area for developer to store data or files

This is incorrect because AWS is not just a remote area for storage; it is a full cloud service platform that offers a variety of tools and resources, not limited to storage.

C. An internet provider for faster services

This is wrong because AWS is not an internet service provider. It provides cloud-based services, not internet connectivity services.

D. A company that utilizes fiber optics

While AWS operates with a high level of technology, including fiber optics, this is not its primary function. AWS is a cloud service provider, not a company focused on fiber optics.

Correct Answer

C. The total cost including system implementation, operation, maintenance, and education

Explanation

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a comprehensive assessment of the total cost of a system over its entire lifecycle. This includes not just the initial capital investment, but also operational costs, maintenance, training, and any other costs that are necessary to run and manage the system over time. TCO provides a more accurate picture of the long-term financial commitment required for a system, making it an important factor for decision-making.

Why other options are wrong

A. The total cost of a company's initial investment in an information system

This is incorrect because TCO includes much more than just the initial investment. It accounts for all costs associated with the system over its entire lifecycle, including operation, maintenance, and training, not just the upfront cost.

B. The total cost incurred in system development

This is incorrect because TCO includes costs beyond development, such as implementation, maintenance, and ongoing operation. Development costs are just one part of the overall TCO.

D. The total cost of system implementation

This is incorrect because TCO is not limited to the implementation phase. It includes the full lifecycle of the system, including operation, maintenance, and any additional costs related to the system’s long-term use and support.

Correct Answer

A. They can add 50 more organizational units without exceeding the quota.

Explanation

AWS Organizations has a limit on the number of organizational units (OUs) per organization. The default limit is 1,000 OUs, so if the company already has 950 OUs, they can add up to 50 more without exceeding this quota. If the company needs more OUs, they would need to request a service limit increase from AWS support.

Why other options are wrong

B. They need to reduce the number of organizational units before adding new ones.

This is incorrect because the company has not yet reached the maximum limit of 1,000 OUs. They can add up to 50 more without reducing the existing units.

C. They can add an unlimited number of organizational units as long as they are within the same account.

This is incorrect because there is a fixed limit of 1,000 OUs across all AWS Organizations, regardless of the number of accounts within the organization.

D. They should switch to a different cloud provider to avoid quota limitations.

This is incorrect because AWS Organizations allows organizations to request an increase in the quota if necessary, and switching to a different provider is not a practical solution to a quota issue.

Correct Answer

C. To assist developers in building applications for specific platforms

Explanation

Software Development Kits (SDKs) are essential tools for developers that provide libraries, code samples, documentation, and APIs to help them build applications for specific platforms, including cloud services. SDKs simplify and speed up the development process by offering pre-built tools and methods that are compatible with the cloud platform.

Why other options are wrong

A. To provide hardware resources for cloud computing

SDKs do not provide hardware resources; they are focused on the software layer, providing the necessary tools for developers to interface with cloud services, not physical infrastructure.

B. To offer a user interface for cloud applications

While SDKs may help build the back-end services of cloud applications, they do not typically offer user interfaces. User interfaces are built separately, often using different tools or frameworks.

D. To manage cloud service pricing and billing

SDKs are not responsible for managing pricing or billing; these tasks are handled by other tools or services within the cloud platform. SDKs focus on application development, not cost management.

Correct Answer

B. Scalability, as it allows them to increase resources in real-time to meet demand.

Explanation

Scalability is a key advantage of cloud computing. As the startup grows, it can increase its resources in real-time without the need to purchase additional physical hardware. This flexibility enables businesses to adapt to changing demand quickly and efficiently.

Why other options are wrong

A. Cost efficiency, because they can save money on physical servers

While cost efficiency is a benefit of cloud computing, scalability is more crucial for a startup experiencing rapid growth. Cost savings alone do not provide the immediate ability to expand infrastructure as quickly as needed.

C. Global reach, since they need to serve customers worldwide immediately

Global reach is certainly an advantage of cloud computing, but scalability is more directly relevant to a startup that needs to rapidly expand its IT infrastructure to handle growth. Global reach comes into play when considering the expansion into international markets, which may not be the immediate concern.

D. Reduced maintenance, allowing them to focus on their core business instead of IT

Although reduced maintenance is an important benefit of cloud computing, scalability addresses the need for quick expansion. A startup experiencing rapid growth would benefit more immediately from the ability to scale its infrastructure to meet demand.