Below we provide plain-language explanations of commonly used cloud terms to help you understand key concepts without requiring deep technical expertise.
What Are Common Cloud Terms?
Cloud computing relies on a shared vocabulary to describe its core technologies, services, and operational models. Understanding common cloud terms makes it easier to follow technical discussions, evaluate cloud offerings, and communicate clearly with providers and teams. This section introduces the most frequently used cloud terms and explains what they mean in practical, real-world contexts.
Application Modernization
Application modernization is the process of updating legacy applications to work better in cloud environments. It often involves refactoring code, adopting microservices, or replacing outdated components to improve scalability and reliability.
Read more about application modernization.
Auto-Scaling
Auto-scaling automatically adjusts computing resources based on current demand. This helps maintain performance during traffic spikes while reducing costs during low usage periods.
Availability Zone
An availability zone is a physically separate data center location within a cloud region. It is designed to isolate failures while allowing low-latency connectivity between zones.
Backup and Restore
Backup and restore refers to creating copies of data and systems so they can be recovered after loss or corruption. It is a foundational practice for data protection and operational continuity.
Read more about backup strategies.
Cloud Application
A cloud application is software designed to run in a cloud environment rather than on a local machine. It typically uses cloud services for scalability, storage, and availability.
Read more about cloud applications and how they work.
Cloud Backup
Cloud backup stores copies of data in cloud-based storage systems. It provides off-site protection and easier recovery compared to traditional on-premises backups.
Cloud Bursting
Cloud bursting allows workloads to temporarily use public cloud resources when private or on-premises capacity is exceeded. It is commonly used to handle sudden or seasonal demand spikes.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing delivers computing resources such as servers, storage, and software over the internet. It allows users to access and scale resources without managing physical infrastructure.
Read more about cloud computing and its benefits.
Cloud Governance
Cloud governance defines the policies, controls, and processes for managing cloud usage. It ensures security, compliance, cost control, and consistent operations across environments.
Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure includes the underlying hardware and software that power cloud services. This typically consists of servers, storage systems, networking, and virtualization layers.
Cloud Maturity Model (CMM)
A cloud maturity model measures how advanced an organizationโs cloud adoption is. It helps identify gaps and guide improvements across strategy, operations, and technology.
Cloud Migration
Cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, or workloads to the cloud. This can involve rehosting, refactoring, or rearchitecting systems.
For more on how to move to the cloud, refer to our Cloud Migration Checklist.
Cloud Monitoring
Cloud monitoring tracks the performance, availability, and health of cloud resources. It helps detect issues early and supports optimization and troubleshooting.
Read our article on the essential cloud monitoring tools for optimizing performance.
Cloud-Native Architecture
Cloud-native architecture is designed specifically for cloud environments using microservices, containers, and automation. It enables faster development, resilience, and continuous delivery.
Cloud Network
A cloud network connects cloud resources using virtualized networking components. It enables secure communication between services, users, and external systems.
Cloud Outage
A cloud outage is a disruption that makes cloud services unavailable or degraded. It can be caused by hardware failures, software bugs, or network issues.
Cloud Provisioning
Cloud provisioning is the process of creating and configuring cloud resources. It is often automated to enable fast and consistent deployments.
Read more about cloud provisioning.
Cloud Repatriation
Cloud repatriation involves moving workloads from the public cloud back to on-premises or private environments. Organizations often do this for cost, performance, or compliance reasons.
Cloud Security Policy
A cloud security policy defines rules for protecting cloud resources and data. It covers areas such as access control, encryption, and incident response.
Read more about cloud security and its best practices.
Cloud Server
A cloud server is a virtual server hosted in a cloud environment. It provides computing power without requiring physical server management.
Cloud Service Provider (CSP)
A cloud service provider is a company that delivers cloud services to customers. Examples include providers of compute, storage, networking, and managed services.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage stores data in distributed systems accessible over the internet. It offers scalability, durability, and flexible access options.
Community Cloud
A community cloud is shared by multiple organizations with similar requirements. It balances cost efficiency with shared governance and compliance needs.
Disaster Recovery (DR)
Disaster recovery focuses on restoring systems and data after major failures or disasters. It aims to minimize downtime and data loss through planning and redundancy.
Read more about disaster recovery methods.
Distributed Cloud
Distributed cloud extends cloud services across multiple physical locations. It allows workloads to run closer to users while being centrally managed.
Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability to automatically increase or decrease resources as demand changes. It helps maintain performance while avoiding overprovisioning.
Fog Computing
Fog computing extends cloud capabilities closer to the edge of the network. It reduces latency and bandwidth usage for time-sensitive applications.
Read more about fog computing and its use cases.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud combines public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises environments. It allows workloads to move between environments based on needs.
Read more about hybrid cloud and its benefits.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides virtualized computing resources such as servers and storage over the internet. Users manage the operating systems and applications themselves.
Read more about IaaS benefits.
Instance
An instance is a single virtual machine or compute resource in the cloud. It runs an operating system and applications defined by the user.
Read our article on how cloud instances work and the different types.
Load Balancing
Load balancing distributes traffic across multiple resources to prevent overload. It improves performance, reliability, and availability.
Read more about load balancing and how it works.
Managed Cloud Services
Managed cloud services shift operational tasks to the cloud provider. This includes maintenance, monitoring, and updates of cloud resources.
Multi-Cloud
Multi-cloud uses services from multiple cloud providers. It helps reduce vendor dependence and improve resilience.
Read about multi-cloud benefits and use cases.
On-Demand Self-Service
On-demand self-service allows users to provision cloud resources without provider interaction. Resources can be created or removed as needed.
Pay-As-You-Go Pricing
Pay-as-you-go pricing charges users only for the resources they consume. It aligns costs closely with actual usage.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
PaaS provides a platform for building and deploying applications without managing infrastructure. Developers focus on code while the provider handles the environment.
Learn all about PaaS and how it works.
Private Cloud
A private cloud is dedicated to a single organization. It offers greater control, security, and customization.
Read all about private cloud computing.
Public Cloud
A public cloud delivers services over shared infrastructure owned by a provider. It is highly scalable and cost-efficient.
Learn about the differences between the public and private cloud.
Resource Pooling
Resource pooling allows providers to share computing resources among multiple customers. Resources are dynamically assigned based on demand.
Scalability
Scalability is the ability of a system to handle increased workloads. It can involve adding resources vertically or horizontally.
Read our article on cloud scalability.
Serverless Computing
Serverless computing runs code without requiring server management. The provider automatically handles scaling and infrastructure.
Learn more about the benefits of serverless computing.
Shared Responsibility Model
The shared responsibility model defines security duties between the provider and the customer. Responsibilities vary by service type.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers fully managed applications over the internet. Users access software without handling installation or maintenance.
Read more about the traits of SaaS.
Tenant Isolation
Tenant isolation ensures that one customerโs data and workloads are separated from others. It is critical for security in multi-tenant environments.
Usage-Based Billing
Usage-based billing charges customers based on actual consumption. It provides cost transparency and flexibility.
Vendor Lock-In
Vendor lock-in occurs when switching providers becomes difficult due to dependencies. It can limit flexibility and increase long-term costs.
Learn more about vendor lock-in and its downsides.
Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
A VPC is a logically isolated network within a public cloud. It allows customers to define their own networking configurations.
Read about the characteristics of virtual private clouds.
Virtualization
Virtualization allows multiple virtual systems to run on a single physical machine. It improves hardware efficiency and flexibility.
Workload Portability
Workload portability is the ability to move applications between environments. It reduces dependency on a single platform.
Zone Redundancy
Zone redundancy spreads resources across multiple availability zones. It improves fault tolerance and service availability.
