Cloud computing architectures: models, evolution and comparative analysis

Abstract

Cloud computing represents the dominant paradigm for delivering scalable and flexible computing resources over the Internet. The rapid evolution of cloud architectures—from traditional models based on virtualization to modern paradigms such as containerization and serverless computing—has led to increased complexity in system design and implementation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing architectures, focusing on their models, development and comparative characteristics. IaaS, PaaS and SaaS models are analyzed, as well as newer approaches such as containers and serverless environments. The comparative analysis is based on performance, scalability, cost and security criteria. Also discussed are current challenges and future development directions, including edge computing and the application of artificial intelligence in resource management. The results of the work provide a basis for understanding the trade-offs between different architectural approaches.