Cloud computing provides a range of service models that are designed to
meet diverse requirements by delivering computing resources through the
internet. These models are On-Premise, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS),
Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). These
models vary in their aspects of control, management and ease of use.
Below is a detailed examination of each:
1. On-Premise
On-Premise computing involves hosting and managing all IT infrastructure
within an organization’s physical location. This model grants complete
control over the hardware and software but demands significant
investment in both resources and personnel.
Let’s think about a big company such as a bank. Because of strict rules on
safety and regulations, banks usually choose to adopt an On-Premise
approach. They keep their own servers for banking information, with an
internal IT department taking care of all aspects, including equipment
maintenance and software distribution. This arrangement guarantees the
highest level of control and security, essential for dealing with private
banking information.
2. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS offers virtualized computing resources over the internet, providing
fundamental infrastructure like virtual machines, storage, and networking.
Users manage their applications, data, runtime, middleware, and
operating systems, while the provider handles the underlying hardware
and virtualization.
Components Managed by the User
1. Operating System:
User chooses and configure the OS.
2. Middleware
User handles middleware installation and configuration
3. Runtime Environment
User manages the runtime environment for your applications.
4. Applications and Data
User is responsible for deploying and maintaining your software and data.
Amazon Web Services’ EC2 stands out as a leading Infrastructure as a
Service (IaaS) offering. A technology startup creating an innovative
software program could use EC2 instances to launch their application,
keeping their data in AWS S3. They manage their operating systems and
runtime environments, giving them the ability to expand their resources
as necessary without the need to purchase physical equipment. This
adaptability is essential for startups striving to expand quickly without
bearing significant initial expenses.
3. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS provides a platform allowing users to develop, run, and manage
applications without the hassle of maintaining the underlying
infrastructure. This service includes hardware and software tools
accessible over the internet, with the provider managing everything
except the applications and data.
Components Managed by the User
Application & Data:
The user uses pre-built tools for coding, testing and deployment.
All other components such as runtime, OS, storage etc are managed by
the vendor.
Google App Engine is a well-known PaaS offering. A small business
developing a web application might use Google App Engine to build and
deploy their app. The business focuses solely on writing code while Google
manages the runtime environment, middleware, and infrastructure. This
setup accelerates development and deployment cycles, enabling rapid
innovation without worrying about scalability or server maintenance.
4. Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription
basis. Users access these applications through a web browser, with the
provider managing everything from infrastructure to application
maintenance. This model offers maximum convenience, eliminating the
need for users to install and run applications on their own computers.
Application, Data, Runtime, OS etc all such components are managed by
the vendor leaving nothing left to be managed by the user.
Microsoft Office 365 is a widely used SaaS product. An educational
institution might use Office 365 for their staff and students, providing
access to applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The institution
avoids the hassle of software updates or infrastructure management, as
Microsoft handles all aspects of the service, including security and data
backup. This allows educators and students to focus on their work without
technical distractions.
Each type of cloud computing services On-Premise, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
has unique advantages suited to different needs. Understanding these
distinctions helps organizations make informed decisions about which
model best supports their operational goals and growth strategies.
Whether seeking full control with On-Premise, flexibility with IaaS,
development ease with PaaS, or convenience with SaaS. Choosing the
right model depends on specific business requirements and resources.
