What are distinct data centers with their own resources known as?

Distinct data centers that have their own resources are referred to as "zones." In the context of cloud computing, a zone often represents a specific geographic location or facility within a larger infrastructure that provides redundancy and resilience. Each zone is equipped with its own power, cooling, and networking capabilities, ensuring that if one zone were to fail, others could still operate independently to maintain continuity of service.

This architectural approach is crucial when designing cloud solutions as it enhances fault tolerance and availability. It allows applications to be deployed in multiple zones, ensuring that user traffic can be rerouted seamlessly in case of an outage in one zone.

Regions, while related, typically encompass multiple zones within a geographic area. Clusters and nodes are terms more closely associated with the organization of resources within computing frameworks rather than the physical distribution of distinct data centers. Understanding these terms helps in designing a resilient architecture that leverages the capabilities of the cloud effectively.