Service models, deployment patterns, HA/DR, scalability, and storage
Domain Weight
Cloud Architecture and Design accounts for 23% of the CV0-004 exam.
Cloud+ architecture questions ask you to select the right service model, deployment pattern, or storage type for a workload requirement — often comparing cost, control, and operational burden.
Model
Provider Manages
Customer Manages
Examples
IaaS
Physical infra, virtualization
OS, middleware, apps, data
EC2, Azure VMs, Compute Engine
PaaS
Runtime, OS, infra
Applications and data
App Service, Elastic Beanstalk, Cloud Run
SaaS
Entire application stack
Configuration, data, access
Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday
Scalability
Ability to handle increased load by adding resources. Vertical (bigger instance) vs horizontal (more instances).
Elasticity
Automatic scale-out/in based on demand. Pay for what you use; scale down during quiet periods.
Multi-AZ deployment — replicate across availability zones within a region
Multi-region — geographic redundancy for disaster recovery
CDN — cache static content at edge locations; reduce latency and origin load
Storage Type
Use Case
Characteristics
Object
Unstructured data, backups, media
Flat namespace, metadata, highly durable, REST API
Block
Databases, VMs, low-latency apps
Mounted volumes, fixed-size blocks, SAN-like
File
Shared file access, legacy apps
NFS/SMB, shared mount, POSIX semantics
Exam Focus Areas
Microservices and serverless improve agility but add operational complexity
Hybrid cloud connects on-premises to public cloud; multi-cloud uses multiple providers
Match storage type to access pattern — object for blobs, block for databases
Practice This Domain
Test your understanding with free practice questions at /certifications/comptia/cloud-plus/practice — focus on: Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid, multi-cloud), High availability and disaster recovery.
Read CV0-004 notes without distractions
Open Foci to run a focused study block while you review domains, tables, and exam tips.
