Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
Solution and Answer Guide
West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1:
Introduction to Cloud Computing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review Questions.......................................................................................................................................1
Scenario-Based Questions.........................................................................................................................4
Hands-On Projects....................................................................................................................................5
Project 1-1: Research Cloud Computing Certifications...........................................................................5
Project 1-2: Create an Account with AWS..............................................................................................6
Project 1-3: Create an Account with Azure.............................................................................................7
Project 1-4: Create an Account with GCP...............................................................................................8
Project 1-5: Apply Troubleshooting Methodology..................................................................................8
Capstone Project 1: Cloud Service Types................................................................................................9
Reflection Discussion 1: Cloud in Your Career.....................................................................................10
Cloud for Life Discussion 1: Technology Careers.................................................................................10
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Your company transitions a dozen servers to the cloud instead of purchasing several new servers to replace
aging equipment. The monthly cost of these cloud-hosted servers that can grow with the business is
significantly lower than the anticipated cost of purchasing new hardware that would have, at first, greatly
exceeded the current needs of the business. What feature of the cloud has your company taken advantage
of?
a. Broad network access
b. Measured service
c. Multitenancy
d. Cross-platform compatibility
Answer: b. Measured service
Explanation: With a measured service, you are charged for the resources you use. This pay-as-you-go
approach, if configured properly, can save companies a great deal of money even before other
optimizations are made for cloud technology.
2. When you speak to Alexa, you initiate the processing of code that runs in the cloud without creating a new
server to do so. Which cloud service model most likely provides the service that processes this code?
a. SaaS
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 1
website, in whole or in part.
,Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
b. PaaS
c. IaaS
d. DBaaS
Answer: b. PaaS
Explanation: PaaS (Platform as a Service) is an intermediate level of cloud capability that allows
consumers to deploy code without having to manage the lower-layer infrastructure such as the
network, servers, or storage. Speaking to Alexa initiates code that runs in a generic server environment
rather than requiring the creation of a server specific for each interaction with Alexa.
3. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a cloud-within-a-cloud deployment model?
a. Unlimited scalability
b. Minimal cost
c. Platform familiarity
d. Seamless migration
Answer: b. Minimal cost
Explanation: Because a cloud-within-a-cloud adds a second layer of virtualization, it also adds
another layer of cost.
4. To deploy a series of test environments in the cloud, you want a script that will design and configure
several servers, some network infrastructure, and firewall rules. What process will produce the script you
need?
a. Automation
b. Self-healing infrastructure
c. Multitenancy
d. Orchestration
Answer: d. Orchestration
Explanation: Orchestration is the scripting of a series of automated processes.
5. Which document can ensure you will receive compensation if your company’s Internet service has an
extended outage?
a. GDPR
b. NDA
c. SLA
d. HIPAA
Answer: c. SLA
Explanation: The SLA (service level agreement) should include some kind of compensation for
damages resulting from problems on the CSP’s end.
6. Multitenancy enables what cloud characteristic?
a. Rapid elasticity
b. Broad network access
c. On-demand self-service
d. Resource pooling
Answer: d. Resource pooling
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 2
website, in whole or in part.
,Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
Explanation: Multitenancy supports multiple customers’ processes on the same hardware, which
enables resource pooling as defined by NIST.
7. Which document might require an NDA before you can read it?
a. SSAE 18
b. SOC 2
c. ISO/IEC 27001
d. SAS 70
Answer: b. SOC 2
Explanation: The SOC (Service Organization Control) 2 report contains proprietary information and
often requires a signed NDA (nondisclosure agreement) before release to a customer to restrict the
customer from sharing proprietary information.
8. As you’re developing your hybrid cloud, you move a handful of servers and two applications to the cloud.
Both applications need to communicate with a database that will remain on-prem. What technology will
allow the applications to communicate with the database without human intervention?
a. VPN
b. CLI
c. GUI
d. API
Answer: d. API
Explanation: APIs (application programming interfaces) provide the communication interface
between various components of a deployment, such as a web server with serverless code or a database
with an application.
9. For what purposes does the IoT often use cloud technologies? Choose TWO.
a. Virtualization
b. Storage
c. Compute
d. Communication
Answers: b. Storage and d. Communication
Explanation: While IoT devices can function without cloud technology, most of these devices rely on
cloud to provide storage space and to enable communication across the Internet.
10. During which step of the troubleshooting process should you back up data?
a. While testing your theory as to the probable cause
b. While identifying the problem
c. While verifying full system functionality
d. While establishing a plan of action
Answer: b. While identifying the problem
Explanation: As part of the initial interaction with a system while identifying the problem, back up
data on the computer or other system before making any other changes, even those involved in the
second step, establishing a theory of probable cause.
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 3
website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS
1. Raul works for a small consulting firm that assists medical organizations, such as quick care facilities, and
health professionals, such as doctors’ offices or alternative care providers, to establish, update, and manage
their IT systems. He regularly works with patient databases and must ensure that his clients’ networks and
other IT resources comply with strict government regulations. Raul’s boss, Cheri, recently asked him to
assist in upgrading their firm’s data center. The CEO has decided they need to take a major step toward a
more cloud-centric business model and asked Raul how the company can ensure that their cloud provider
meets industry standard requirements for data security, service availability, and confidentiality. Which
standard should Raul recommend they use to compare security ratings of various CSPs?
a. PCI DSS
b. HIPAA
c. GDPR
d. SSAE 18
Answer: d. SSAE 18
Explanation: The SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports both address benchmarks for information security,
availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
2. Raul’s company has narrowed its options to a small handful of CSPs. All these CSPs offer a wide variety of
cloud services and meet all of the company’s security requirements. Cheri, Raul’s boss, is now asking him
to recommend what type of cloud services would best fit their needs. She explains they want to start with
cloud-based email and an office productivity suite that enables easy file sharing among team members.
Which cloud service model should Raul recommend they use to accomplish these goals?
a. SaaS
b. IaaS
c. RaaS
d. PaaS
Answer: a. SaaS
Explanation: Email, office productivity apps, and file sharing are all services offered by SaaS
products.
3. Anika has run into a problem with the VPN connection to her company’s cloud-hosted database. She has a
good Internet connection and can access her work email account, which uses the same sign-in credentials as
the VPN. But she still can’t pull reports from the database service. She calls Patrick, who works for the
company’s help desk. As Anika describes the problem to Patrick, he tells her to try again and make sure
she’s using the right password, then to restart her router, and if that still doesn’t fix it, to restart her
computer. Which troubleshooting step did Patrick fail to complete in the correct order?
a. Test the theory to determine cause
b. Document findings, actions, and outcomes
c. Establish a plan of action and implement the solution
d. Establish a theory of probable cause
Answer: d. Establish a theory of probable cause
Explanation: Patrick tried several haphazard possible solutions that were unrelated and disorganized
without considering what the probable cause of the problem might be.
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 4
website, in whole or in part.
Solution and Answer Guide
West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1:
Introduction to Cloud Computing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review Questions.......................................................................................................................................1
Scenario-Based Questions.........................................................................................................................4
Hands-On Projects....................................................................................................................................5
Project 1-1: Research Cloud Computing Certifications...........................................................................5
Project 1-2: Create an Account with AWS..............................................................................................6
Project 1-3: Create an Account with Azure.............................................................................................7
Project 1-4: Create an Account with GCP...............................................................................................8
Project 1-5: Apply Troubleshooting Methodology..................................................................................8
Capstone Project 1: Cloud Service Types................................................................................................9
Reflection Discussion 1: Cloud in Your Career.....................................................................................10
Cloud for Life Discussion 1: Technology Careers.................................................................................10
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Your company transitions a dozen servers to the cloud instead of purchasing several new servers to replace
aging equipment. The monthly cost of these cloud-hosted servers that can grow with the business is
significantly lower than the anticipated cost of purchasing new hardware that would have, at first, greatly
exceeded the current needs of the business. What feature of the cloud has your company taken advantage
of?
a. Broad network access
b. Measured service
c. Multitenancy
d. Cross-platform compatibility
Answer: b. Measured service
Explanation: With a measured service, you are charged for the resources you use. This pay-as-you-go
approach, if configured properly, can save companies a great deal of money even before other
optimizations are made for cloud technology.
2. When you speak to Alexa, you initiate the processing of code that runs in the cloud without creating a new
server to do so. Which cloud service model most likely provides the service that processes this code?
a. SaaS
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 1
website, in whole or in part.
,Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
b. PaaS
c. IaaS
d. DBaaS
Answer: b. PaaS
Explanation: PaaS (Platform as a Service) is an intermediate level of cloud capability that allows
consumers to deploy code without having to manage the lower-layer infrastructure such as the
network, servers, or storage. Speaking to Alexa initiates code that runs in a generic server environment
rather than requiring the creation of a server specific for each interaction with Alexa.
3. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a cloud-within-a-cloud deployment model?
a. Unlimited scalability
b. Minimal cost
c. Platform familiarity
d. Seamless migration
Answer: b. Minimal cost
Explanation: Because a cloud-within-a-cloud adds a second layer of virtualization, it also adds
another layer of cost.
4. To deploy a series of test environments in the cloud, you want a script that will design and configure
several servers, some network infrastructure, and firewall rules. What process will produce the script you
need?
a. Automation
b. Self-healing infrastructure
c. Multitenancy
d. Orchestration
Answer: d. Orchestration
Explanation: Orchestration is the scripting of a series of automated processes.
5. Which document can ensure you will receive compensation if your company’s Internet service has an
extended outage?
a. GDPR
b. NDA
c. SLA
d. HIPAA
Answer: c. SLA
Explanation: The SLA (service level agreement) should include some kind of compensation for
damages resulting from problems on the CSP’s end.
6. Multitenancy enables what cloud characteristic?
a. Rapid elasticity
b. Broad network access
c. On-demand self-service
d. Resource pooling
Answer: d. Resource pooling
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 2
website, in whole or in part.
,Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
Explanation: Multitenancy supports multiple customers’ processes on the same hardware, which
enables resource pooling as defined by NIST.
7. Which document might require an NDA before you can read it?
a. SSAE 18
b. SOC 2
c. ISO/IEC 27001
d. SAS 70
Answer: b. SOC 2
Explanation: The SOC (Service Organization Control) 2 report contains proprietary information and
often requires a signed NDA (nondisclosure agreement) before release to a customer to restrict the
customer from sharing proprietary information.
8. As you’re developing your hybrid cloud, you move a handful of servers and two applications to the cloud.
Both applications need to communicate with a database that will remain on-prem. What technology will
allow the applications to communicate with the database without human intervention?
a. VPN
b. CLI
c. GUI
d. API
Answer: d. API
Explanation: APIs (application programming interfaces) provide the communication interface
between various components of a deployment, such as a web server with serverless code or a database
with an application.
9. For what purposes does the IoT often use cloud technologies? Choose TWO.
a. Virtualization
b. Storage
c. Compute
d. Communication
Answers: b. Storage and d. Communication
Explanation: While IoT devices can function without cloud technology, most of these devices rely on
cloud to provide storage space and to enable communication across the Internet.
10. During which step of the troubleshooting process should you back up data?
a. While testing your theory as to the probable cause
b. While identifying the problem
c. While verifying full system functionality
d. While establishing a plan of action
Answer: b. While identifying the problem
Explanation: As part of the initial interaction with a system while identifying the problem, back up
data on the computer or other system before making any other changes, even those involved in the
second step, establishing a theory of probable cause.
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 3
website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: West, CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing 2e, 978-0-357-88345-7, Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing
SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS
1. Raul works for a small consulting firm that assists medical organizations, such as quick care facilities, and
health professionals, such as doctors’ offices or alternative care providers, to establish, update, and manage
their IT systems. He regularly works with patient databases and must ensure that his clients’ networks and
other IT resources comply with strict government regulations. Raul’s boss, Cheri, recently asked him to
assist in upgrading their firm’s data center. The CEO has decided they need to take a major step toward a
more cloud-centric business model and asked Raul how the company can ensure that their cloud provider
meets industry standard requirements for data security, service availability, and confidentiality. Which
standard should Raul recommend they use to compare security ratings of various CSPs?
a. PCI DSS
b. HIPAA
c. GDPR
d. SSAE 18
Answer: d. SSAE 18
Explanation: The SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports both address benchmarks for information security,
availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
2. Raul’s company has narrowed its options to a small handful of CSPs. All these CSPs offer a wide variety of
cloud services and meet all of the company’s security requirements. Cheri, Raul’s boss, is now asking him
to recommend what type of cloud services would best fit their needs. She explains they want to start with
cloud-based email and an office productivity suite that enables easy file sharing among team members.
Which cloud service model should Raul recommend they use to accomplish these goals?
a. SaaS
b. IaaS
c. RaaS
d. PaaS
Answer: a. SaaS
Explanation: Email, office productivity apps, and file sharing are all services offered by SaaS
products.
3. Anika has run into a problem with the VPN connection to her company’s cloud-hosted database. She has a
good Internet connection and can access her work email account, which uses the same sign-in credentials as
the VPN. But she still can’t pull reports from the database service. She calls Patrick, who works for the
company’s help desk. As Anika describes the problem to Patrick, he tells her to try again and make sure
she’s using the right password, then to restart her router, and if that still doesn’t fix it, to restart her
computer. Which troubleshooting step did Patrick fail to complete in the correct order?
a. Test the theory to determine cause
b. Document findings, actions, and outcomes
c. Establish a plan of action and implement the solution
d. Establish a theory of probable cause
Answer: d. Establish a theory of probable cause
Explanation: Patrick tried several haphazard possible solutions that were unrelated and disorganized
without considering what the probable cause of the problem might be.
© 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible 4
website, in whole or in part.
