Welcome to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) documentation on Cloud Computing. This section provides comprehensive resources for understanding, developing, and deploying solutions in the cloud. Cloud computing offers scalable, on-demand access to computing resources like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the Internet.
Key benefits include:
Cloud providers offer a wide range of services categorized into three main models:
IaaS provides the basic building blocks for cloud IT. It gives you the highest level of flexibility and management control over your IT resources, similar to on-premises IT resources. Examples include virtual machines, storage, and networks.
PaaS removes the need for you to manage the underlying infrastructure (usually hardware and operating systems) and allows you to focus on the deployment and management of your applications. You manage the applications and data, while the cloud provider manages everything else.
SaaS provides a completed product that is run and managed by the service provider. In a SaaS application, all you need to do is connect to the Internet or your company’s network and log in to the SaaS application to start using it. You don't have to worry about how the service is maintained or how the underlying infrastructure is managed.
Designing effective cloud architectures is crucial for performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Explore patterns and best practices for building resilient and robust cloud solutions.
Learn about common architectural patterns such as the Strangler Fig pattern, the CQRS pattern, and the Event Sourcing pattern to build modern, scalable applications.
Security is paramount in the cloud. Understand the shared responsibility model and implement robust security measures to protect your data and applications.
For detailed guidance, refer to the Cloud Security section.
Always adhere to the principle of least privilege when granting access to cloud resources. Regularly review access policies and audit logs.
Cloud computing can be deployed in various models, each with its own characteristics:
Learn more about choosing the right model for your needs in our Deployment Models Guide.
Dive deeper into specific cloud technologies and services with our extensive collection of articles, tutorials, and API references.
Start with the Azure Fundamentals Tutorial to get a solid grasp of core cloud concepts and services.