CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which cloud characteristic enables instant access to services via a self-service portal?

1. Bursts in demand

2. Pay-as-you-go pricing

3. Resource sharing

4. On-demand provisioning

The correct answer is: On-demand provisioning

The characteristic that allows for instant access to services via a self-service portal is on-demand provisioning. This feature of cloud computing enables users to provision and manage resources as needed without requiring human intervention with the service provider. Users can quickly deploy applications, infrastructure, or services through an automated self-service interface, which significantly enhances efficiency and flexibility. On-demand provisioning is fundamental to the cloud model, allowing users to scale their resources up or down based on current needs, which is highly beneficial for businesses that experience varying workloads. This capability supports the cloud's promise of agility, allowing organizations to respond swiftly to changing operational demands. While other options like bursts in demand, pay-as-you-go pricing, and resource sharing are important aspects of cloud computing, they do not specifically refer to the ability to access and provision services instantaneously through a self-service portal. Bursts in demand relate to the scalability of services, pay-as-you-go reflects the billing model, and resource sharing involves the multi-tenant nature of cloud solutions, all of which support cloud efficiency but do not define the immediate access and provisioning aspect as clearly as on-demand provisioning does.