Cloud Service Models
There are the following three types of cloud
service models -
1.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
2.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
3.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Difference between IaaS, PaaS, and
SaaS
The below table shows the difference between
IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS -
IaaS
Paas
SaaS
It provides a virtual data center to store information
and create platforms for app development, testing, and deployment.
It provides virtual platforms and tools to create,
test, and deploy apps.
It provides web software and apps to complete business
tasks.
It provides access to resources such as virtual
machines, virtual storage, etc.
It provides runtime environments and deployment tools
for applications.
It provides software as a service to the end-users.
It is used by network architects.
It is used by developers.
It is used by end users.
IaaS provides only Infrastructure.
PaaS provides Infrastructure+Platform.
SaaS provides Infrastructure+Platform +Software.
IaaS
Paas
SaaS
It provides a virtual data center to store information
and create platforms for app development, testing, and deployment.
It provides virtual platforms and tools to create,
test, and deploy apps.
It provides web software and apps to complete business
tasks.
It provides access to resources such as virtual
machines, virtual storage, etc.
It provides runtime environments and deployment tools
for applications.
It provides software as a service to the end-users.
It is used by network architects.
It is used by developers.
It is used by end users.
IaaS provides only Infrastructure.
PaaS provides Infrastructure+Platform.
SaaS provides Infrastructure+Platform +Software.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is also known as Hardware as a Service (HaaS). It is a computing infrastructure
managed over the internet. The main advantage of using IaaS is that it helps
users to avoid the cost and complexity of purchasing and managing the physical
servers.
Characteristics of IaaS
There are the following characteristics of
IaaS -
- Resources are available as a service
- Services are highly scalable
- Dynamic and flexible
- GUI and API-based access
- Automated administrative tasks
Example: DigitalOcean, Linode, Amazon Web
Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE), Rackspace, and
Cisco Metacloud.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS cloud computing platform is created for
the programmer to develop, test, run, and manage the applications.
Characteristics of PaaS
There are the following characteristics of
PaaS -
- Accessible to various users via the same development
application.
- Integrates with web services and databases.
- Builds on virtualization technology, so resources can easily
be scaled up or down as per the organization's need.
- Support multiple languages and frameworks.
- Provides an ability to "Auto-scale".
Example: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure,
Heroku, Force.com, Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, Magento Commerce Cloud,
and OpenShift
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is also known as "on-demand software". It is a software in which
the applications are hosted by a cloud service provider. Users can access these
applications with the help of internet connection and web browser.
Characteristics of SaaS
There are the following characteristics of
SaaS -
- Managed from a central location
- Hosted on a remote server
- Accessible over the internet
- Users are not responsible for hardware and software updates.
Updates are applied automatically.
- The services are purchased on the pay-as-per-use basis
Example: BigCommerce, Google Apps, Salesforce, Dropbox, ZenDesk, Cisco WebEx, ZenDesk, Slack, and GoToMeeting.