Cloud delivery models are specific, pre-packaged combinations of computing resources offered by cloud providers. Essentially, they are different types of cloud service offerings that cater to varying needs and levels of management responsibility.
The Three Main Cloud Delivery Models
According to the provided reference, there are three main cloud delivery models:
- IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service:
- PaaS - Platform as a Service:
- SaaS - Software as a Service
- The reference only mentions IaaS and PaaS. It does not mention SaaS.
To provide a comprehensive overview, the following will describe the three main cloud delivery models:
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS provides you with the basic building blocks for cloud IT. It offers access to fundamental resources like virtual machines, storage, and networks – all over the internet. With IaaS, you manage the operating system, storage, deployed applications, and potentially select networking components (e.g., firewalls). The cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure.
- Example: Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines, Google Compute Engine.
- Use Cases:
- Testing and development.
- Storage, backup, and recovery.
- Web hosting.
- High-performance computing.
- Big data analysis.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
PaaS delivers a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud. This model provides the hardware and software needed for application development – without the headache of managing the underlying infrastructure. You manage the applications and data, while the cloud provider handles everything else.
- Example: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Service.
- Use Cases:
- Application development and deployment.
- API creation and management.
- DevOps support.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS provides ready-to-use software applications over the internet, often on a subscription basis. You simply access the software through a web browser or app, and the cloud provider handles all the underlying infrastructure, software maintenance, and updates.
- Example: Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Dropbox.
- Use Cases:
- Customer relationship management (CRM).
- Email and collaboration.
- Content management.
- Human resources.
In summary, each cloud delivery model provides a different level of control and responsibility. Choosing the right model depends on your specific business needs and technical capabilities.
