I wanted to start from the beginning describing what cloud computing is, just using a set of "magic words",it's complicated to resume this computing paradigm using a reduced set of words, but here it's my try:

• Computing as utility
• Accessible through broad networks like Internet
• "Unlimited" pool of resources
• On-demand self-service
• Growing on demand
• Pay as you go

I know that there is much more to talk about cloud computing, but these are the essential ideas.

I also liked the NIST Notional Definition of Cloud Computing, it's quite a complete description and it can be read in less than 2 minutes...

In the next post I will show you how these concepts are made true in Microsoft Azure…hope to see you then!