Are you considering migrating to the cloud and unsure of your options? Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) are the three categories of cloud computing (SaaS).
Companies may control their computing, networking, and storage components with IaaS instead of managing them on-premises. PaaS provides a foundation for developers to create unique business tools and applications, whereas SaaS gives internet-enabled software to businesses via a third party.
Models For Cloud Deployment
The three basic types are private, public, and hybrid cloud deployment models. Your specific requirements determine the model you choose.
Private Cloud Computing Service
Despite its high cost, the private cloud approach is best suited for large enterprises prioritizing confidentiality, customizability, and computing capacity. This model can be run locally or in the cloud. A single company owns the Infrastructure in this arrangement.
The advantages of a private cloud include:
- Security at the highest level
- More control over the servers
- Exceptionally adaptable
There’s no possibility of unexpected developments disrupting business operations.
The disadvantages of a private cloud include:
- It requires a lot of IT expertise and is relatively pricey.
Public Sector Cloud Computing Service
Public cloud models are based on a pay-per-use approach, making them a cost-effective option for small businesses. All organizations share the services and Infrastructure in this approach. A large amount of available space makes scalability in public cloud systems easy.
The following are some of the benefits of using the public cloud:
- High scalability
- Cost-effective
- Cloud service providers are responsible for management.
- Geographical limitations are not a factor.
Cons of using the public cloud:
- Provides fewer options for customization
- Sudden cloud provider switches might have disastrous consequences.
- Server autonomy is reduced.
- Because it is shared, the server is less secure.
Cloud Hybrid
A hybrid cloud is a blend of public and private clouds that creates a customized solution that allows both platforms to communicate effortlessly.
Advantages of hybrid cloud:
- Highly safe, adaptable, and cost-effective
- Security is superior to pure public cloud options.
The hybrid cloud’s disadvantages include:
- At times, communication between public and private clouds can be a source of contention.
Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Instead of using a typical data centre, IaaS provides on-demand Infrastructure to enterprises on a pay-as-you-go basis over the Internet. The following physical and virtual resources are available in IaaS, allowing businesses to run workloads in the cloud:
Datacenters in the physical sense. To provide on-demand and scalable computing, IaaS companies have tens of powerful servers located across the globe. Instead of users directly interacting with these components, IaaS gives them a service.
Resources for computing. Hypervisors handle IaaS compute resources, which are Virtual Machines (VMs). For diverse workloads, IaaS providers provision VMs based on CPU, GPU, and memory use. Depending on the performance characteristic they wish to achieve, organizations can auto-scale and load-balance different workloads.
Networks. Network gear such as switches and routers are managed programmatically by software-defined networking.
Storage. IaaS providers provide reliable and easy-to-access storage solutions such as file storage, block storage and object storage via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
The IaaS approach allows startups to bypass the costly and time-consuming building up on-premises IT Infrastructure. Large organizations can also utilize this model if they wish to keep control of their IT infrastructure while having the option of only paying for the services they use.
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Rackspace, and Alibaba Cloud are all examples of IaaS.
IaaS disadvantages
- Because IaaS is based on a multi-tenant design, it raises data security concerns.
- Users may be unable to access their data for some time if there are vendor outages in IaaS solutions.
- Managing a new infrastructure might be difficult, necessitating team training.
Platform As A Service (PaaS)
Developers lease the Infrastructure they require for the application lifecycle, including development, testing, deployment, and maintenance, in a PaaS model. Developers rent the servers, networking, and storage components, similar to IaaS. They also lease components from the PaaS provider, such as middleware, development tools, and database management systems (DBMSs).
Using PaaS, a company can avoid the time-consuming and costly process of obtaining and managing software licences. PaaS providers, in essence, handle the rest of the application lifecycle, allowing developers to concentrate on the apps they’re working on. PaaS is especially valuable for companies who seek to streamline workflows in a multi-developer production environment.
In a Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment, PaaS can also significantly reduce expenses and simplify the application development lifecycle. Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, OpenShift, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Heroku are all examples of PaaS.
PaaS has some drawbacks.
- Data security risks can arise when using PaaS.
- There may be compatibility concerns with PaaS solutions because not every aspect of existing Infrastructure can be cloud-enabled.
- The vendor determines the speed, support, and dependability of PaaS.
Software As A Service (SaaS)
SaaS providers store software on their servers and lease it to businesses on a subscription basis in this arrangement. Users can access the application using a web browser using the SaaS approach. They log in with their usernames and passwords rather than IT managers installing the software on individual workstations.
Organizations can lease productivity tools such as email, collaboration, and calendaring under the SaaS model. Other corporate software, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), document management, and customer relationship management, can also be leased (CRM).
If a startup does not have the time or resources to put up a server or software, it can use the SaaS model to launch business tools and applications swiftly. Dropbox, Google GSuite (applications), Cisco Webex, and GoToMeeting are all examples of SaaS.
SaaS disadvantages
- With SaaS, the number of options is limited.
- When it comes to employing SaaS products, network connectivity is a prerequisite.
- When you use SaaS solutions, you lose control.
Conclusion
Depending on their workload requirements, businesses can pick among three forms of cloud computing: IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. However, without an adequate Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution, no firm can fully use the benefits of cloud computing. Traditional desktops and programmes are replaced with virtual desktops and applications powered by a data centre.
In this sense, a powerful VDI solution that works in tandem with the three forms of cloud computing can significantly improve your bottom line. Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a complete VDI solution for deploying virtual applications and desktops on-premises, hybrid cloud environments, and in the public cloud. It makes no difference whether you go with an IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS model for your business.
Parallels RAS works in tandem with each cloud option to provide fully functional cloud-based virtualization to any device, at any time and in any location. Most importantly, Parallels RAS incorporates cutting-edge security features such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and intelligent filtering to provide a secure and efficient cloud-based VDI solution.
If you’d like to learn more about the use of cloud computing in the business, contact the ONPASSIVE team for more info.
