(SEM VII) THEORY EXAMINATION 2019-20 CLOUD COMPUTING

SECTION A – Explanation

Section A of the Cloud Computing paper is designed to test the student’s basic conceptual understanding of cloud fundamentals, deployment models, virtualization, and challenges. All questions in this section are compulsory and require brief but accurate answers. The examiner expects clarity in definitions and differentiation between closely related concepts.

The questions in this section include explanation of the cloud ecosystem, difference between distributed computing and cloud computing, explanation of grid computing, explanation of hybrid cloud, difference between public and private cloud, meaning of full virtualization, and major challenges faced in cloud computing. These questions focus on the core building blocks of cloud computing and ensure that students understand how cloud systems evolved and operate.

For example, the cloud ecosystem question checks awareness of stakeholders such as cloud providers, consumers, brokers, and auditors. The distributed versus cloud computing question tests understanding of scalability, elasticity, and service-oriented delivery. Grid computing questions check historical and architectural knowledge. Deployment model questions such as hybrid, public, and private cloud test understanding of control, security, and ownership. Virtualization questions check understanding of abstraction of hardware resources. Challenges such as security, data privacy, vendor lock-in, and availability test real-world awareness. Answers in this section must be short, conceptually correct, and written using proper cloud terminology.

SECTION B – Explanation

Section B evaluates the student’s conceptual depth and ability to explain cloud architectures, virtualization, security, and adoption strategies in moderate detail. Students are required to attempt any three questions, giving them flexibility to select questions based on preparation strength. The questions are descriptive and analytical in nature.

The questions in Section B include discussion of cloud adoption along with its policies, detailed explanation of hypervisors with illustrations, difference between process virtual machines, host VMMs, and native VMMs, explanation of cloud security challenges and data security at different stages, and explanation of characteristics and types of virtualization in cloud computing. These questions require students to explain how cloud infrastructure is created, managed, and secured.

For instance, cloud adoption policy questions test understanding of organizational readiness, governance, compliance, and cost considerations. Hypervisor questions evaluate understanding of Type-1 and Type-2 hypervisors and their role in virtualization. Virtual machine model comparison questions test architectural clarity. Cloud security questions assess understanding of data security during storage, transmission, and processing. Virtualization characteristics test understanding of abstraction, isolation, resource pooling, and elasticity. Answers in this section should be written in a logical flow, starting with basic concepts followed by detailed explanation and examples. Each answer generally spans one and a half to two pages.

SECTION C – Explanation

Section C is the most important and highest-weight section of the Cloud Computing paper. This section tests the student’s in-depth understanding, analytical ability, and system-level knowledge of cloud architecture, security, services, and resource management. Each question provides internal choices, and students must attempt only one part from each question.

The questions in Section C cover advanced and application-oriented topics such as scalability and fault tolerance in cloud computing, explanation of Virtual LAN (VLAN) and Virtual SAN (VSAN), cloud computing security architecture with block diagram, importance and role of virtual machines in cloud, major functionalities of Hadoop API, cloud management and service creation tools, service-oriented architecture and its support to cloud computing, workflow management system architecture and importance, NIST cloud computing reference architecture, and migration of memory, files, and network resources. These questions require deep conceptual understanding supported by diagrams, architectures, and structured explanation.

For example, scalability and fault tolerance questions test understanding of load balancing, replication, and redundancy. VLAN and VSAN questions test network and storage virtualization knowledge. Security architecture questions require explanation of authentication, authorization, encryption, and access control. Hadoop API questions test knowledge of big data integration with cloud. SOA and workflow questions test service integration and orchestration concepts. NIST architecture questions require understanding of standardized cloud roles and components. Resource migration questions test understanding of live migration and cloud elasticity. Answers in this section are expected to be detailed, well structured, and typically extend over two to three pages, significantly impacting the final score.

Overall Understanding of the Paper Pattern

The Cloud Computing (RCS-075) question paper is structured to evaluate students progressively from basic understanding to advanced architectural and system-level knowledge. Section A focuses on foundational concepts and definitions, Section B evaluates virtualization, security, and adoption strategies in moderate depth, and Section C tests deep understanding of cloud architecture, services, security, and management frameworks. Students who understand this structure can prepare effectively by revising basics for Section A, strengthening conceptual explanations for Section B, and mastering long descriptive answers with diagrams for Section C.

A strong preparation strategy includes understanding cloud deployment models, virtualization techniques, security architecture, Hadoop integration, SOA, and NIST reference architecture. Section C carries the highest weight and requires special attention for scoring high marks.