Cloud Computing: Cloud Service Models and Types of Cloud

Hello Folks, Welcome back to Learnizo Global. Cloud computing is a rapidly growing industry that allows companies to move beyond on-premise IT infrastructure and, instead, rely on internet-based services. Cloud-based providers often offer services such as software, storage, and processing at affordable prices. In our previous article, we had an insight on what is cloud, cloud computing, and the benefits of cloud computing. This article will focus on different service models offered by cloud computing and different types of cloud.

Cloud computing is offered in below different service models which each satisfy a unique set of business requirements.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Instead of users installing an application on their device, SaaS applications are hosted on cloud servers, and users access them over the Internet. SaaS is like renting a house: the landlord maintains the house, but the tenant mostly gets to use it as if they owned it. Examples of SaaS applications include Salesforce, MailChimp, and Slack.

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

In this model, companies don’t pay for hosted applications; instead, they pay for the things they need to build their own applications. PaaS vendors offer everything necessary for building an application, including development tools, infrastructure, and operating systems, over the Internet. PaaS can be compared to renting all the tools and equipment necessary for building a house, instead of renting the house itself. PaaS examples include Heroku and Microsoft Azure.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

In this model, a company rents the servers and storage they need from a cloud provider. They then use that cloud infrastructure to build their applications. IaaS is like a company leasing a plot of land on which they can build whatever they want – but they need to provide their own building equipment and materials. IaaS providers include DigitalOcean, Google Compute Engine, and OpenStack.

Formerly, SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS were the three main models of cloud computing, and essentially all cloud services fit into one of these categories. However, in recent years a fourth model has emerged.

Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)

FaaS, also known as serverless computing, breaks cloud applications down into even smaller components that only run when they’re needed. Imagine if it were possible to rent a house one little bit at a time: for instance, the tenant only pays for the dining room at dinner time, the bedroom while they’re sleeping, the living room while they’re watching TV, and when they aren’t using those rooms, they don’t have to pay rent on them.

FaaS or serverless applications still run on servers, as do all these models of cloud computing. But they’re called “serverless” because they don’t run on dedicated machines and because the companies building the applications don’t have to manage any servers.

Also, serverless functions scale-up, or duplicate, as more people use the application – imagine if the tenant’s dining room could expand on-demand when more people come over for dinner!

Different types of Clouds

In contrast to the models discussed above, which define how services are offered via the cloud, these different cloud deployment types have to do with where the cloud servers are and who manages them. The most common cloud deployments are

Private cloud

A private cloud is a server, data center, or distributed network wholly dedicated to one organization. By hosting such a cloud, organizations retain complete command over their computing and storage needs, including ensuring regulatory obligations are completed and managing the network’s security. The private cloud can be built from the bottom up to an organization’s specifications, whereas a public cloud is run on existing third-party infrastructure.

Public cloud

A public cloud is a service run by an external vendor that may include servers in one or multiple data centers. Unlike a private cloud, public clouds are shared by multiple organizations. Using virtual machines, individual servers may be shared by different companies, a situation that is called “multitenancy” because multiple tenants are renting server space within the same server.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid cloud deployments combine public and private clouds, and may even include on-premises legacy servers. An organization may use their private cloud for some services and their public cloud for others, or they may use the public cloud as a backup for their private cloud.

Multicloud

Multicloud is a type of cloud deployment that involves using multiple public clouds. In other words, an organization with a multi-cloud deployment rents virtual servers and services from several external vendors – to continue the analogy used above, this is like leasing several adjacent plots of land from different landlords. Multicloud deployments can also be hybrid cloud and vice versa.

Cloud computing has been around for quite some time now and it will continue to evolve as faster and more reliable networks offer increased benefits to service providers and consumers alike. With these advancements, there are growing opportunities to develop business models in an increasingly connected economy.

We shall learn more about cloud technology in our further articles. For now, stay safe and happy learning with Learnizo Global.