Cloud Service Models

About

Cloud service models define the type of services offered over the cloud and the level of control and responsibility users have over their IT infrastructure and applications. Different cloud service model include -

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Definition:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. It abstracts hardware (servers, storage, networking) into virtual resources that users can provision and manage via an API or dashboard. Users have control over operating systems, applications, and middleware, but not over underlying infrastructure.

Key Features:

• Virtualization: Resources are virtualized and provided as a service.

• Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down based on demand.

• Pay-as-you-go: Pay only for the resources consumed.

• Self-service: Users can provision resources independently.

Use Cases:

• Development and testing environments

• Hosting websites and web applications

• High-performance computing (HPC)

• Disaster recovery and backup

Examples:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2: Provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud.

• Google Compute Engine: Offers virtual machines with scalable performance.

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Definition:

Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure. It includes development tools, database management systems, middleware, and runtime environments.

Key Features:

• Application Development: Tools and APIs for building, testing, and deploying applications.

• Automatic Scaling: Automatically scales resources based on application demand.

• Integrated Services: Built-in services like databases, messaging, and caching.

• Multi-tenant Architecture: Multiple users share the same infrastructure.

Use Cases:

• Application development and deployment

• Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD)

• Mobile backend services

• Analytics and big data processing

Examples:

• Heroku: Provides a platform for building, running, and scaling applications.

• Microsoft Azure App Service: Offers PaaS for building and hosting web apps.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

Definition:

Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. Users access applications via a web browser without needing to install or maintain software locally. The provider manages the infrastructure, security, and maintenance of the application.

Key Features:

• Accessibility: Access applications from any device with an internet connection.

• Automatic Updates: Providers manage updates and patches.

• Subscription-based Pricing: Pay-per-use or subscription model.

• Customization: Limited customization options compared to on-premises software.

Use Cases:

• Email and collaboration tools

• Customer relationship management (CRM)

• Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

• Document management and file sharing

Examples:

• Salesforce: Provides CRM solutions accessible via the cloud.

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Offers productivity and collaboration tools.

Comparison among different Cloud Service Model

Aspect	IaaS	PaaS	SaaS
Control	Low (over infrastructure)	Medium (over applications)	Low (over configuration)
Responsibility	User manages OS, applications, data	User manages applications, data	Provider manages everything except configuration
Scalability	High	High	High
Flexibility	High	Medium	Low
Examples	AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine	Heroku, Azure App Service	Salesforce, Google Workspace