Cloud Computing

6 mins

Cloud computing is a model of delivering computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. Cloud computing enables organizations to consume and pay for computing resources on-demand, without having to invest in and maintain the underlying infrastructure.

There are three main service models of cloud computing:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Provides a platform for developing, running, and managing applications and services, typically including operating systems, programming languages, and databases.
Software as a Service (SaaS) – Delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis.

Cloud computing also has different deployment models:

Public cloud: The cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by a third-party cloud service provider.
Private cloud: The cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization, either by the organization itself or by a third-party cloud service provider and is dedicated to the organization’s use.
Hybrid cloud: The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds (public, private, community, or edge) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability.

Cloud computing has become a popular choice for organizations looking for cost-effective and flexible solutions for their computing needs. It has also enabled new business models and opportunities, such as providing access to powerful computing resources to a wider range of organizations, and enabling the development of new applications and services.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Public Cloud
Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. These resources include servers, storage, networking, and other infrastructure components that organizations can use to build, run, and manage their own applications and services.

IaaS providers offer a wide range of services that allow organizations to quickly and easily scale their computing resources up or down as needed. This can include:

Virtual machines (VMs) and associated computing resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage
Virtual networks, including the ability to create virtual private networks (VPNs)
Virtual storage, such as object storage and block storage
Load balancers, which distribute incoming traffic across multiple VMs
Automation and orchestration tools, which simplify the deployment and management of resources

IaaS providers are responsible for maintaining and operating the underlying infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for managing the operating system, middleware, and applications running on the virtualized resources.

IaaS is a popular choice for organizations looking for a cost-effective and flexible way to access computing resources, as well as for organizations that need to scale their resources quickly to meet changing business needs. It has also enabled new business models such as Software as a Service, and Platform as a Service.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides a platform for developing, running, and managing applications and services. PaaS is built on top of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and abstracts away the underlying infrastructure, allowing developers to focus on building and deploying their applications.

PaaS typically includes:

Operating systems
Programming languages and development frameworks
Databases and other data storage solutions
Middleware, such as application servers, message queues, and caching systems
Tools for development, testing, and deployment

PaaS providers are responsible for maintaining and operating the underlying infrastructure and platform, while the customer is responsible for managing the application and its data. This allows for a more efficient use of resources, as the customer does not need to worry about the underlying infrastructure, and can focus on developing and deploying their applications.

PaaS is often used by developers to build and deploy web and mobile applications, and it also supports many modern development practices such as DevOps, Continuous Integration, and Continuous Deployment. It also enables organizations to more easily scale their applications and services, and allows for faster innovation and development.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model that delivers software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis. SaaS applications are hosted and maintained by a third-party provider, and are accessed by users through a web browser. This eliminates the need for organizations to install and maintain software on their own computers and servers.
SaaS applications are designed to be easy to use and typically require little or no IT support. They are often tailored to specific industries or business needs, such as customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, and human resources management.
SaaS providers are responsible for maintaining and operating the software, as well as the underlying infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for accessing and using the software. This allows for a more efficient use of resources, as the customer does not need to worry about the underlying infrastructure or software maintenance, and can focus on using the software to meet their business needs.
SaaS has become a popular choice for organizations looking for cost-effective and efficient solutions for their software needs, as it eliminates the need for organizations to purchase and maintain expensive software licenses and hardware. It also enables organizations to more easily scale their software usage up or down as needed, and allows for faster innovation and development.

Public Cloud

Public cloud is a deployment model of cloud computing in which the cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by a third-party cloud service provider. Public cloud providers offer a wide range of services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) to customers on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The public cloud infrastructure is shared among multiple customers and is operated by the provider, who is responsible for maintaining, securing, and updating the infrastructure. Public cloud providers offer a high degree of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, as customers can easily scale their resources up or down as needed.
The main advantage of public cloud is that it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and it does not require any large up-front investments in hardware and software. Public cloud providers offer a wide range of services, which makes it easy for customers to find the services that fit their needs. Additionally, public cloud providers invest heavily in security, and customers can benefit from the security features and measures implemented by the provider.
However, Public cloud providers might not offer the level of control and customization that some organizations may require, and security and compliance are also a concern for some, as customer data and applications are stored in shared infrastructure.

Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud

Private cloud is a deployment model of cloud computing in which the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization, either by the organization itself or by a third-party cloud service provider, and is dedicated to the organization’s use. Private clouds can be physically located on-premises or off-premises.
A private cloud provides an organization with a high degree of control, customization, and security over its infrastructure, which is especially important for organizations that have strict compliance requirements or handle sensitive data. Private clouds also offer a high degree of scalability and flexibility, as organizations can easily scale their resources up or down as needed.
Hybrid cloud is a deployment model that combines the benefits of public and private clouds. It is a composition of two or more clouds (public, private, community, or edge) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability. This allows organizations to use the public cloud for certain workloads, such as development and testing, and the private cloud for more sensitive workloads, such as production and storage of sensitive data.
Hybrid cloud provides organizations with the best of both worlds: the scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of the public cloud, and the control, customization, and security of the private cloud. It also allows organizations to take advantage of the different services offered by multiple cloud providers, and to use the cloud provider that is best suited to their specific needs.