Cloud Computing Glossary & Terminology: Your Essential Reference

Whether you’re new to cloud, or a veteran user, sometimes you come across terms that you don’t quite understand. Not to mention some of the jargon out there! Check our glossary here for popular cloud terms explained simply.

Amazon Web Services / AWS

Also known as AWS, Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform. It offers a wide range of software services and suites. It is one of the biggest cloud vendors.

To learn more, read our guide to AWS costs.

Application / App / Cloud Application

This is a software programme. When hosted on the cloud, it’s sometimes called a cloud app. It often operates across the cloud and is run on remote servers. Applications can vary in size, functionality, and intended use. 

API / Application Programming Interface

This type of technology allows for two different pieces of software, or systems, to communicate with each other. This can include sharing data, along with other features. An API specifies a structure by which one program can request information from another program.

Availability

This term is used to refer to an app that is online and running as it should. If there are problems and it goes offline, this is known as downtime.

Availability Zones

There are data centres set up globally for public cloud networking and processing functions. These are all isolated from each other, but some may be grouped together in a region. They're engineered to be separate from each other so they're isolated from failures in other availability zones. The geographical regions are called availability zones and are completely independent.

Automation

In cloud computing, automation refers to processes, or particular tools, that can be automated (rather than completed manually). Automation is often done to streamline and manage workloads. 

Backups / Cloud Backups

This is a type of cloud service that remotely stores copies of data and applications. The benefit of this is that if anything goes wrong and something gets deleted, there are backup copies on the cloud of what has already been worked on.

Cloud Computing

This is a type of computer technology which delivers computer services, resources, and tools across the internet. Instead of relying on a physical computer’s hard drive, cloud computing uses a network of remote servers instead. This technology can deliver a huge range of services – from networking, to computing, to storage, to databases, and more.

Cloud Computing Types

There are many forms, or types, of cloud computing. Each of these vary in the types of networks they use and the accessibility of these networks. The service models include private cloud, public cloud, multi-cloud, and hybrid cloud. We’ll go through these in more detail throughout this glossary.

Cloud Outage

In rare cases, cloud services can go down. When all cloud services become unavailable, this is known as a cloud outage. This can happen for a variety of reasons including loss of power, connectivity problems, or scheduled maintenance. 

To learn more, read our article that looks at what is a cloud outage.

Cloud Migration

The process of moving digital operations from on-premises to the cloud is called a cloud migration. This can include applications, data, infrastructure, and anything needed to keep operations going. There are different cloud migration types, each being suitable for different use cases and scenarios.

To find out more, read our article that discusses cloud migration.

Cloud Native

If an application has been designed to run specifically on the cloud, it is described as being cloud native.

Cloud Vendor / Service Provider / CSP

Any third-party company or organisation that provides cloud-specific services is called a cloud vendor. This may include cloud management, access to a cloud platform, IaaS, application, or data storage services. They can also be referred to as a cloud service provider (CSP).

Cluster

A cluster is a group of computers working together on shared computing tasks. These worker machines can either be virtual or physical computers. Clusters can be used to run a variety of cloud computing applications, from those that require high-performance computing to containerized web services.

Compliance

Crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s is incredibly important in cloud technology. Adhering to cloud compliance and protocol standards ensures that your cloud services are secure and meet legal requirements.

To find out more, read our guide to compliance and why it’s important to get it right.

Compute

This is a general term used to describe the resources that are used when you run an application. This could be the CPU processing power, memory, or available storage on a cloud machine. Cloud services offer a variety of machines with different computer resources. Those with higher compute resources are typically more expensive.

Containers / Containerization

This is a type of virtualisation technology that can be used in conjunction with cloud technology. Containerization is the process of taking all the things needed to run an application – including code, dependencies, and libraries – and putting them into small virtualized computer systems, called containers. This technology is popular for making applications faster, easier to deploy, and more reliable.

To learn more about this technology, read our guide to containers and containerization.

Container Orchestration Tool

This is a type of software that can help users manage and run the containers. Manually managing containers can be quite a challenge, so these tools can help automate, simplify, and scale containerized applications. Examples of container orchestration tools include Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, and Mesos.

Database

A database is a software program designed to store, query, and manage data. Data used by cloud services is often stored in databases that are hosted on the cloud. 

DevOps

This is a software development methodology in which developers and operations teams join forces to handle the development and subsequent deployment of software. DevOps is a strategy that draws on development and operational objectives, with the focus on delivering high-performing applications quickly.

Documentation

This is what is needed for users to know how to use software. Documentation is another term for user, or support guides. Effective documentation is key for new software to be implemented correctly and used to its fullest.

To find even more, read our guide to documentation and why it’s important.

Docker

This is a third-party, open-source software platform for containers. Primarily, Docker can be used to create images and containers. It also offers a suite of tools that can be used for containerized applications.

To delve deeper into Docker, read our introductory guide to Kubernetes.

Encryption

This is a security strategy. Encryption hides data by encoding it using specialised algorithms and tools. Encryption can transform data from plaintext to something that’s unreadable by malicious users who attempt to intercept the data. In the cloud, this can be done by cloud storage providers before data is transferred, moved, or stored.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Also known as GCP, Google Cloud Platform is another of the biggest cloud vendors. It offers multiple tools, software, and services for cloud computing.

Host Machine

This is a type of virtual machine that’s key in the virtualization process. A host machine creates a guest virtual machine (GVM), which can be used for compute tasks. The GVM is able to do this because it uses resources from a remote, host server.

Hybrid Cloud

This is one of the main four cloud types. Hybrid cloud is where an application runs in a mixture of private, public clouds, and potentially on-prem data centres.

To find out more, read our article on multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud.

Hypervisor

This is a type of programme that creates, runs and manages virtual machines (VMs).  Virtual machines are a key part of virtualisation technology. Hypervisors can also be known as virtual machine monitors/VMMs. They allow physical computers – known as the host machine – to run multiple VMs. They also allow VMs to access the host machine’s resources. This can include compute power, memory, disk, and more.

Infrastructure

In cloud terms, infrastructure relates to all the different parts and components needed for the cloud to work. It’s the foundational layer of cloud technology. This can include compute power, off-site data centres, hardware, databases, servers, virtualisation software, networking components, and more.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service / IaaS

This is a type of cloud computing that can be provided by third party vendors. Infrastructure-as-a-service offers users virtualised computer resources through the internet. These include storage, networking, and compute services.

Kubernetes

This is a popular, open source container orchestration tool. Kubernetes can be used to manage, automate, and scale containerized applications.

To learn more about this tool, read our Kubernetes article.

Load Balancing

Load balancing refers to the process of distributing network traffic or compute resources evenly across a network or cluster so that no one machine gets overloaded. Too much traffic to a resource can cause lag and downtime. Load balancing addresses this by distributing and splitting up workloads – as well as traffic – across different computing resources. This means that no resource is overwhelmed by traffic.

Microservices

This is a type of software architecture that can be used for developing applications. Microservices – or microservices architecture – are small, independently running software components. They are all connected by an API, so they can then work together to form a fully-fledged software application. Microservices are popular for being lightweight, easy to scale, and easy to update.

Microsoft Azure

Also shortened to Azure, Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform. It’s considered one of the biggest cloud vendors.

To learn more about this CSP, read our Azure costs article.

On-Premise / On-Prem

This refers to when digital infrastructure – like data centres, computer hardware, and software – is based in a physical location.

Open Source

This term relates to software. Open source is a type of software that has a source code that is accessible to everyone for free.  This code can be downloaded, inspected, modified, and distributed without the need for a paid-for licence.

To learn more, read our article on Divio supporting open-source software here.

Platform

When related to computing, a platform is a specific environment that software can be hosted and run on. A platform can either be physical hardware – like a computer – or software. It's a foundational base for running software.

Platform-as-a-Service / PaaS

This is a type of cloud computing model. Platform-as-a-service, or PaaS, is where a third party cloud vendor provides platform tools to users over the cloud. It’s essentially a virtual platform. These specific tools help users develop and run their applications on the cloud, without having to operate and manage the underlying platforms themselves. 

Private Cloud

This is one of the main four cloud types. A private cloud is one in which all the resources and computing services offered by a cloud vendor are only accessible to one organisation. These can be also called a single tenant or end user. These services can be provided over the internet, or a private network.

Public Cloud

This is one of the four main cloud types. A public cloud is where all the cloud computing services and resources offered by a cloud vendor are accessible via the public internet to multiple users. These are often available via on-demand and pay-as-you-go models.

Resource 

This is a term that relates to all of the components that are used in computing. This can include hardware, software, networks, compute power, memory, CPU, and other specific services. Resources can be both physical and virtual. When resources are shared, they are known as “shared resources”.

Restore

Sometimes things can go wrong! Restore, in relation to computing, refers to reverting your system configuration back to an earlier copy, before a certain event happened (like a crash). This includes restoring files and settings.

Scalability

This is the ability to modify your system’s performance depending on the demand on your application. This means system processes can scale up or down to meet these needs, without affecting the front-end performance of your application.

Server

A server is a remote computer accessed over a network. A server provides a particular service, resource, or functionality, to another computer programme over a network. This is known as the client. A server can be physical or virtual.

Serverless

Serverless computing can be used to develop and execute applications without a user having to manage servers themselves. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as servers are still involved. However, a cloud vendor takes care of the server management.

Service Level Agreement / SLA

In cloud computing, a service level agreement, or SLA, is a contract. It’s between a cloud vendor and their user, and documents what the cloud vendor will provide, and the level of service it will offer. To learn more, read our article on SLAs.

Software-as-a-Service / SaaS

This relates to software delivery in cloud computing. With software-as-a-service, or SaaS, users can access software via the cloud, rather than having to download it to a physical computer. This is provided by cloud service vendors. Users often pay a monthly or usage-based fee to access the software provided by the cloud service provider.

Tech Stack

Also known as a technology/solutions stack, this refers to the set of software tools and programs that are used to build applications. Different types of technologies are used and built on top of each other. These can include tools, applications, frameworks, platforms, programming languages, software, and other services.

Vendor Lock-in

In cloud computing, this is a situation where it is difficult for a user to stop using a product offered by a particular cloud service provider, or cloud vendor. They’re essentially tied in. This can keep users dependent on a product, even if it’s not the best quality, or not useful for their organisation.

Virtualization

This is a type of computer technology that creates a virtual version of something digital. In virtualization, an abstraction layer can simulate something over computer hardware. This can be an operating system, a database, or a server.

Virtual Machine / Guest Machine / VM

This is a virtual computer, known as a compute resource. Often shortened to VMs, these are a resource that can do what a physical computer can do, but all in the virtual cloud environment.

Workload

This is another term for the programme, application, or function that operates in a cloud, or another virtual environment. In the cloud, it uses specific cloud resources.