Types Of Cloud Service Architectures

In my previous article, we discussed the types of cloud infrastructure models. When considering your cloud architecture, you first need to decide the deployment models- public, private or hybrid. Depending on the type of application and the organizations’ requirement, you can chose between the type of cloud service architectures.

Most cloud computing service architectures fall into 3 broad categories:

·        Infrastructure – As-A-Service

·        Platform-As-A-Service

·        Software-As-A-Service

Cloud Service Models- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

This is the most basic category of Cloud services. With IaaS , you can rent IT infrastructure- servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), storage , networks, operating systems. These cloud services can be availed from a cloud provider on a pay-as-you go basis. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP ) are examples of independent IaaS providers.

Just like all cloud services, IaaS services are provided on a public connection (the internet).The customer can use the IaaS resources to build his own IT platform.

How does IaaS work?

A multitude of hardware resources is pulled from multiple data centres and networks across the World by the cloud service provider. These hardware resources are all virtualized by an underlying VM or hypervisor. The virtualized hardware resources are then pooled and provided to the end user.

What are some examples of IaaS platform?

A typical example of IaaS can be cloud hosting of websites. Websites are hosted on virtual servers and virtual networking components. The user utilizes IaaS capability to build his website.

Another example in Enterprise usage can be Virtualized Data Centers or VDCs. VDC's include a virtualised network of interconnected virtual servers which can be used to offer enhanced cloud hosting capabilities, enterprise IT infrastructure or to integrate operations .

Platform as a service (PaaS)

Like IaaS, PaaS includes infrastructure—servers, storage and networking—but also middleware, development tools, business intelligence (BI) services, database management systems and more. PaaS is designed to support the complete web application lifecycle: building, testing, deploying, managing and updating.

How does PaaS work?

Infrastructure and the application that is hosted on it- are provided by the Cloud Service Provider. PaaS includes the base IaaS layer as well as runtimes(like java runtimes) and databases (My SQL, Oracle) and web servers (like Apache TomCat).Services are automatically updated and supported by the cloud provider. Cloud computing services are supplied on an on-demand environment for developing, testing, delivering and managing software applications. PaaS is designed to make it easier for developers to create applications or mobile apps, without worrying about setting up or managing underlying infrastructure of servers, storage, network and database needed for development.

What are some examples of PaaS platform?

Windows Azure is mostly Platform as a service. Google App Engine, Apache Stratos are other examples.

Image Credits- IBM SA

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Image Credits: The atlantic.net

Software as a service is a method of delivering software over the internet, on demand and typically on a subscription basis. With SaaS, cloud providers host and manage the software application and underlying infrastructure and handle any maintenance like software upgrades , users need not worry about. SaaS allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the internet. Common examples include email, calendaring. The applications reside on remote cloud network accessed through web or API.

How does SaaS Work?

By means of what’s called multitenant architecture, SaaS strictly delivers business software to thousands of customers. The cloud component simply implies an active connection to the internet and those devices and browsers that make access possible.

All the elements that define a software, from scripts, codes and algorithms, as well as the physical hardware in the form of servers and the structures that house them are kept and maintained by the vendors in their own facilities, a notable reversal in how deployment is carried out as mentioned earlier. 

On the customer side, it means no upfront investment in servers or software licensing; on the provider side, with just one app to maintain, costs are low compared to conventional hosting. 

What are some examples of SaaS ?

Google Apps, Dropbox, Salesforce, Webex etc.

Examples- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS

Depending on the type of applications and the organizations’ requirement, you can chose between IaaS, PaaS and SaaS architectures.

In my next article, we will weigh the benefits of IaaS, PaaS and SaaS architectures.

(To be continued...)