This document provides an overview of cloud computing concepts including:
- A brief history of cloud computing from early centralized computing to modern cloud models.
- Key characteristics of cloud computing including on-demand access, no upfront commitments, and pay-per-use pricing.
- Examples of different cloud service models including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).
- Virtualization is discussed as a fundamental concept enabling cloud computing by allowing centralized resources to serve multiple users.