CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)Virtualization and Cloud ComputingMedium

A company's cloud provider issues an invoice each month based on the exact number of compute hours consumed and the exact amount of storage used. Which cloud computing characteristic is being applied?

  1. AMeasured service
  2. BBroad network access
  3. CElasticity
  4. DResource pooling
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Measured service

Measured service (also called metered service) means cloud usage is automatically monitored and controlled, and customers are billed based on actual consumption, similar to a utility.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Broad network access refers to availability over the internet from various devices.
  • C. Elasticity describes the ability to scale resources, not billing based on usage.
  • D. Resource pooling describes shared infrastructure serving multiple customers.

Measured (Metered) Service

A cloud characteristic where resource usage is automatically monitored and billed based on actual consumption, like a utility.

  • Pay only for what is used
  • Enables transparent billing
  • One of five NIST cloud essential characteristics

Memory trick: Cloud bills like electricity — pay for what you use.

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