Cloud Models

As we learned in the previous chapter, cloud technologies offer a wide range of services, providing flexibility, scalability, and accessibility for businesses and individual users.

We have three main models of cloud services that we need to know about before starting to work with them — Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each of these models has its unique advantages and can be used to solve different tasks.

Let's take a closer look at each of them:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Description:

IaaS provides users with highly scalable and automated computing resources. Users rent virtual machines, network resources, and storage, managing them over the Internet. IaaS allows companies to avoid expenses on purchasing and maintaining physical servers.

To understand how this works, let's consider a brief example:

Example

Imagine you have a web application with an idea that has gone viral on the internet, but all you have at hand is a single small laptop. Deploying your own infrastructure to support the growing user traffic requires significant investment in hardware, software, and maintenance, not to mention the risks associated with data loss due to power outages or other unforeseen circumstances.

Using IaaS allows you to rent the necessary infrastructure from a cloud service provider. You are provided with a virtual machine that can be scaled as your application grows. You only pay for the resources you use, significantly reducing initial costs and eliminating the need to maintain physical hardware.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Description:

PaaS provides a cloud-based environment for developing and deploying applications, including development tools, libraries, servers, and networking. This model enables developers to focus on software development without worrying about managing infrastructure.

Example

To better understand PaaS, let's imagine a startup developing an innovative cloud application for task and project management automation. The team consists of experienced developers, but they want to focus on coding and application functionality rather than setting up servers, databases, and development environments. In this case, the ideal solution would be to use Platform as a Service to achieve the most efficient outcome with minimal resource expenditure.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Description:

SaaS is a software delivery model where applications are made available over the internet, typically on a subscription basis. Users can access the programs without the need for installation or maintenance.

Examples of use:

• Email, calendars, and office applications;
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM);
• Financial and accounting software.

Conclusions

So, we've discussed each of the three models in detail. To effectively utilize cloud technologies, you need to understand the purpose of each of these three models. Therefore, with the given requirements, you'll be able to adapt quickly and understand which specific cloud service or model you need to use, making you a valuable asset to your company!