Cloud Service Models
The ways that cloud computing resources, hardware, and software are delivered over the internet on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis, allowing users to rent instead of own physical infrastructure.
1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides basic, virtualized computing hardware over the internet, including virtual servers, storage, and networking.
• What the provider manages: Physical data centers, servers, storage arrays, and network hardware.
• What the user manages: Operating systems, middleware, runtime environments, applications, and data security patches.
• Level of control: Maximum user control over the technical stack.
• Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.
• What the provider manages: Physical data centers, servers, storage arrays, and network hardware.
• What the user manages: Operating systems, middleware, runtime environments, applications, and data security patches.
• Level of control: Maximum user control over the technical stack.
• Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS delivers a ready-to-use cloud platform and development environment so software teams can build, test, and deploy applications without handling hardware.
• What the provider manages: Hardware, operating systems, databases, runtime environments, and development tools.
• What the user manages: Application code, business logic, and custom data.
• Level of control: Focused purely on software development without infrastructure overhead.
• Examples: Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Heroku.
• What the provider manages: Hardware, operating systems, databases, runtime environments, and development tools.
• What the user manages: Application code, business logic, and custom data.
• Level of control: Focused purely on software development without infrastructure overhead.
• Examples: Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Heroku.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers complete, fully functional software applications over the internet, accessed directly through a web browser or mobile app.
• What the provider manages: The entire stack—infrastructure, servers, storage, data, maintenance, security, and updates.
• What the user manages: User accounts, permissions, and application data.
• Level of control: Lowest technical control; zero installation or maintenance required from the user.
• Examples: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce.
• What the provider manages: The entire stack—infrastructure, servers, storage, data, maintenance, security, and updates.
• What the user manages: User accounts, permissions, and application data.
• Level of control: Lowest technical control; zero installation or maintenance required from the user.
• Examples: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce.
Enjoyed reading this content? Let the author know!
Your likes, comments, shares, and saves help creators reach more builders.
Loading recommendations
Loading article