Cloud architecture comprises several essential components that collectively form the foundation for designing and implementing cloud-based solutions:

This frontend is usually a public IP hosted on services such as a load balancer (HTTP/S, TCP, SSL), NAT gateway, API gateway, or an appliance (i.e., firewall).

The backend is responsible for processing user requests, managing data, and performing various computations. These are applications, services, and storage.

The cloud delivery model is how the architecture will be delivered. This is either IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS (see Cloud computing models).

The network, or fabric, connects the frontend(s) to the backend, facilitating sending data back and forth. The fabric can be a combination of the internet, intranet, private lines, virtual paths, service points, and middleware.