subject: Different Types Of Public Cloud Computing [print this page] The Cloud is a big placeThe Cloud is a big place. Though its presence is usually more virtual than physical, an increasing number of individuals and companies are choosing to make use of the variety of services on offer in the cloud. Cloud computing can bring a number of benefits, especially to businesses, in that it often saves time, money and hassle. However, when it actually comes down to choosing what type of cloud service you want to utilise, the variety of acronyms in use can often be confusing and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
The three main types of cloud computing as IaaS, PaaS and SaaS, all other -aaS cloud services usually will fall into one of these three categories. So what is IaaS, what is SaaS and what is PaaS?
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS, as the name might suggest is where a cloud computing provider makes the equipment (either virtual or physical) used to support operations available for use or for rent. The provider will house and maintain the equipment and the customer will pay for what they use. Resources offered through Infrastructure as a Service may be bandwidth, general hardware, servers, IP addresses or load balancers.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
A PaaS provider will offer a computing platform through the cloud, this means that the customer can develop or create their own software solutions on a cloud platform. The resources available through platform as a service may include operating systems, hosting, storage or network capacity. Through using PaaS, developers can build applications and services by using resources made available through the cloud. Customers can often choose from tools offered by the provider to create software applications. Infrastructure is managed by the provider.
Software as a Service (Saas)
SaaS is where a cloud provider installs software in the cloud and makes it available to their customers. The customers access the software through a cloud client. This service is much like renting software rather than having to buy it you only pay for what you need. Both infrastructure and platform are managed by the provider. Software as a service can often be used for accounting, customer relationship management, content management or collaboration.
Within these three main types of cloud computing are the other services a provider might offer.
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Desktop as a Service involves the virtualisation of desktop infrastructure, instead of using their own desktop through their own computer hardware, a customer will use a desktop environment made available through the cloud. This means that the desktop environment is available to use from any location or network. Through the use of this service the customers physical computer is really only used to display the desktop and processes on screen and to send control signals to the cloud.
Database as a Service (DBaaS)
DBaaS is where a database is made available to a customer through the cloud, it means that the user can access the database from anywhere at any time. The customer does not have to maintain or install the database themselves and, much like other cloud services, you only pay for what you have used.
Data as a Service (DaaS)
Rather confusingly, Data as a Service is also abbreviated to DaaS but it is not the same thing as desktop as a service. Data as a service is where a company will provide data through the cloud this could be images, text or videos. Companies will provide useful data for their customers to use on their own website or to use in their organisation.
Storage as a Service (STaaS, sometimes SaaS)
STaaS is where a cloud provider will rent out storage space in the cloud. This can be a particularly useful service because it is easily scalable. If a company suddenly finds they need much more storage space, more can easily be added. Storage in the cloud is also often much more cost efficient than storing in-house.
Security as a Service (SECaaS, sometimes SaaS)
Through security as a service a customer can use the security services of a cloud provider via the cloud. The provider will often offer anti-virus, spyware, anti-malware and intrusion detection, they will also manage and update the security system for the customer. It is essentially anti-virus software supplied over the internet rather than having to be downloaded.
Backend as a Service (BaaS)
Backend as a Service is a relatively new form of cloud service. It has evolved out of the development of web and mobile apps. Through BaaS, developers are able to link their applications to backend cloud storage. By choosing to store backend data in the cloud developers no longer have to redevelop their own backend for every service that their apps need to access. Services such as push notifications, social networking services, messaging and chat, and location services are amongst the features that can benefit from using BaaS.
