Cloud Computing Services

In our last article, we talked about the different cloud deployment models: Public, Private, Hybrid, and
Community. In this article, we will be discussing the cloud computing services which are mainly three types IaaS
(Infrastructure-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service).

Cloud computing is the distribution of IT resources on-demand through the Internet with pay-as-you-go
pricing. Instead of purchasing, operating, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you may use
a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute Engine, to
obtain technological services such as processing power, storage, and databases on an as-needed basis.
These services are intended to enable simple, low-cost access to applications and resources that do not
require internal infrastructure or hardware.
Each form of cloud computing offers varying levels of control, flexibility, and administration, allowing the
users/subscribers to choose the best collection of services for their needs. Below is a brief discussion of
cloud computing services:

Infrastructure-as-a-Service: IaaS refers to a cloud service provider managing your
infrastructure (the physical servers, network, virtualization, and data storage) through the internet. The
user gains access via an API or dashboard and, in essence, leases the infrastructure. The user handles
things like the operating system, applications, and middleware, whereas the provider manages any
hardware, networking, hard drives, data storage, and servers, as well as outages, repairs, and hardware
concerns. IaaS is the most commonly used deployment type by cloud storage providers.
IaaS provides subscribers access to networking features, computers (virtual or physical), and data storage
space. IaaS provides users with the most flexibility and administrative control over their IT resources. It is
most comparable to existing IT resources that many IT departments and developers are already familiar
with.

Platform-as-a-Service: In this type of cloud computing service, the cloud service provider
provides and manages the hardware and an application-software platform, but the user/subscriber
manages the programs that run on the platform and the data on which the applications rely. PaaS
provides subscribers with a shared cloud platform for application development and administration which
is a crucial component for DevOps, without the need to create and maintain the infrastructure typically
involved with the process.
In order words, Platform-as-a-Service PaaS eliminates the requirement for subscribers to manage
underlying infrastructure (often hardware and operating systems), allowing them to focus on application
deployment and administration. This makes the customers more efficient since they don’t have to deal
with resource acquisition, capacity planning, software maintenance, patching, or any of the other
homogenous heavy lifting associated with running their application.

Software-as-a-Service: SaaS provides its consumers with a software application that is managed
by the cloud service provider. They are often online applications or mobile apps that subscribers may
access using a web browser. Users connect to cloud apps via a dashboard or API . The responsibilities of
the consumers include software updates, bug patches, and other basic software maintenance. SaaS also

eliminates the requirement for each individual user’s computer to have an app installed locally, allowing
for more means of group or team access to the Software.
SaaS offers consumers a fully functional product that is operated and controlled by the service provider.
Most users refer to the term SaaS as end-user apps (such as web-based email). Subscribers do not have to
worry about how the service is maintained or how the underlying infrastructure is managed when they
use a SaaS provider. You merely need to consider how you want to utilize the Software.

The type of cloud computing services organizations deploy or go for depends on their needs and the level
of control they require.

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