Which of the following are traits of cloud computing?

Cloud computing has several distinctive traits that define how it operates and the benefits it provides. From the options listed, the following are accurate traits of cloud computing:

1. Scales IT resources so you pay for what you use: This is true and a fundamental trait of cloud computing. This model is known as “pay-as-you-go” where computing resources such as processing power and storage can be scaled up or down based on demand, and customers only pay for the resources they actually use. This flexibility is one of the primary advantages of cloud computing.
2. Resources can be accessed from anywhere over a network: Also true. Cloud computing services are typically provided over the internet, allowing users to access their applications, data, and resources from any location that has internet connectivity. This accessibility is crucial for enabling mobile workforces and supporting distributed teams.

The other statements do not accurately represent cloud computing:

• Only Linux works in cloud computing: This is false. Cloud computing environments support a wide range of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and others, depending on the service provider and customer needs.
• You don’t have to worry about performance any more: This is misleading. While cloud providers manage infrastructure and ensure that systems are optimized and scalable, performance management is still crucial and often a joint responsibility depending on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS). Users must choose appropriate service configurations and monitor performance to meet their specific application needs.
• You own the hardware but pay for it over time: This is incorrect. In cloud computing, the hardware and infrastructure are owned by the service provider. Users pay for access to the resources, not the ownership of the hardware itself.

Therefore, the traits that accurately reflect cloud computing are the scalability of IT resources with pay-as-you-go pricing and the ability to access resources from anywhere over a network.