• A frontend platform 
• A backend platform
• A cloud-based delivery model 
• A network (internet, intranet, or intercloud)

In cloud computing, frontend platforms contain the client infrastructure—user interfaces, client-side applications, and the client device or network that enables users to interact with and access cloud computing services. For example, you can open the web browser on your mobile phone and edit a Google Doc. All three of these things describe frontend cloud architecture components. 

On the other hand, the back end refers to the cloud architecture components that make up the cloud itself, including computing resources, storage, security mechanisms, management, and more. 

Below is a list of the main backend components: 

Application: The backend software or application the client is accessing from the front end to coordinate or fulfill client requests and requirements. 

Service: The service is the heart of cloud architecture, taking care of all the tasks being run on a cloud computing system. It manages which resources you can access, including storage, application development environments, and web applications.

Runtime cloud: Runtime cloud provides the environment where services are run, acting as an operating system that handles the execution of service tasks and management. Runtimes use virtualization technology to create hypervisors that represent all your services, including apps, servers, storage, and networking. 

Storage: The storage component in the back end is where data to operate applications is stored. While cloud storage options vary by provider, most cloud service providers offer flexible scalable storage services that are designed to store and manage vast amounts of data in the cloud. Storage may include hard drives, solid-state drives, or persistent disks in server bays. 

Infrastructure: Infrastructure is probably the most commonly known component of cloud architecture. In fact, you might have thought that cloud infrastructure is cloud architecture. However, cloud infrastructure comprises all the major hardware components that power cloud services, including the CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), network devices, and other hardware components needed for systems to run smoothly. Infrastructure also refers to all the software needed to run and manage everything. 

Cloud architecture, on the other hand, is the plan that dictates how cloud resources and infrastructure are organized. 

Management: Cloud service models require that resources be managed in real time according to user requirements. It is essential to use management software, also known as middleware, to coordinate communication between the backend and frontend cloud architecture components and allocate resources for specific tasks. Beyond middleware, management software will also include capabilities for usage monitoring, data integration, application deployment, and disaster recovery. 

Security: As more organizations continue to adopt cloud computing, implementing cloud security features and tools is critical to securing data, applications, and platforms. It’s essential to plan and design data security and network security to provide visibility, prevent data loss and downtime, and ensure redundancy. This may include regular backups, debugging, and virtual firewalls. 

In cloud architecture, each of the components works together to create a cloud computing platform that provides users with on-demand access to resources and services. 

The back end contains all the cloud computing resources, services, data storage, and applications offered by a cloud service provider. A network is used to connect the frontend and backend cloud architecture components, enabling data to be sent back and forth between them. When users interact with the front end (or client-side interface), it sends queries to the back end using middleware where the service model carries out the specific task or request. 

The types of services available to use vary depending on the cloud-based delivery model or service model you have chosen. There are three main cloud computing service models: 

• Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): This model provides on-demand access to cloud infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networking. This eliminates the need to procure, manage, and maintain on-premises infrastructure. 
• Platform as a service (PaaS): This model offers a computing platform with all the underlying infrastructure and software tools needed to develop, run, and manage applications. 
• Software as a service (SaaS): This model offers cloud-based applications that are delivered and maintained by the service provider, eliminating the need for end users to deploy software locally. 

Here are the basic cloud architecture layers: 

1. Hardware: The servers, storage, network devices, and other hardware that power the cloud. 
2. Virtualization: An abstraction layer that creates a virtual representation of physical computing and storage resources. This allows multiple applications to use the same resources.
3. Application and service: This layer coordinates and supports requests from the frontend user interface, offering different services based on the cloud service model, from resource allocation to application development tools to web-based applications. 

There are three main types of cloud architecture you can choose from: public, private, and hybrid. 

Public cloud architecture uses cloud computing resources and physical infrastructure that is owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider. Public clouds enable you to scale resources easily without having to invest in your own hardware or software, but use multi-tenant architectures that serve other customers at the same time. 

Private cloud architecture refers to a dedicated cloud that is owned and managed by your organization. It is privately hosted on-premises in your own data center, providing more control over resources and more security over data and infrastructure. However, this architecture is considerably more expensive and requires more IT expertise to maintain. 

Hybrid cloud architecture uses both public and private cloud architecture to deliver a flexible mix of cloud services. A hybrid cloud allows you to migrate workloads between environments, allowing you to use the services that best suit your business demands and the workload. Hybrid cloud architectures are often the solution of choice for businesses that need control over their data but also want to take advantage of public cloud offerings. 

In recent years, multicloud architecture is also emerging as more organizations look to use cloud services from multiple cloud providers. Multicloud environments are gaining popularity for their flexibility and ability to better match use cases to specific offerings, regardless of vendor.  

A cloud architect is an IT expert responsible for developing, implementing, and managing an organization’s cloud architecture. As cloud strategies continue to become more complex, the skills and expertise of cloud architects are becoming more vital for helping companies navigate the complexities of cloud environments, implement successful strategies, and keep cloud systems running smoothly. 

There are many benefits of cloud architecture for organizations, including: