Cloud computing is one of the latest trends in technology, and it has proven to be highly beneficial to businesses and consumers in a variety of ways. There are a number of different types of cloud computing, each used in a different way. What are these types, and how can they be used by a savvy business?
Cloud computing is essentially using the Internet in place of a traditional IT department. Cloud servers replace in-house servers and computer networks, while employees are still able to access programs and data. This technology rose up as a natural progression of increasing bandwidth Internet connections, coupled with the rising costs of maintaining a computer network. From a business perspective, hiring time on a cloud is cheaper than buying and operating servers, with the added benefit of outsourcing maintenance to the owner of the servers. It also allows small businesses to access their data and applications from any geographical location, rather than requiring that they work on an in-house network.
There are four primary types of cloud computing services.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the most basic level of service. Remote servers offer physical machine or virtual machine access for rent. Businesses purchase space on these servers and are allowed to install applications, use data space and perform tasks on the remote servers. This allows a business to outsource their own data centers or PC upgrades; employees only need a terminal that can connect to the cloud, not one that can run enterprise software. IaaS servers often have nothing installed, and the business must configure an operating system from scratch.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is one step above IaaS. In this model, the operating system, development environment or database setup is already configured. The business can install applications to make use of this environment. It is essentially a more limited version of IaaS without the need to configure the platform manually.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most common cloud computing platform. In it, a business rents time on servers that have certain applications installed and available for use for a specific purpose. They may use a cloud-based timesheet and employee tracking suite, for example, or a data storage application. SaaS systems exist for nearly any type of business application, ranging from email to application development and testing. SaaS platforms are highly variable in capabilities, freedom of use and costs.
Security as a Service (SECaaS) is a new development, particularly in antivirus and antimalware protection. A business can install SECaaS clients on their computers for additional security. A virus cannot disable a remote antivirus at the moment, so until a hole is found in the software, it becomes an effective security suite. Additionally, the virus definitions are always up to date due to the remote nature of the software.
Often, a single cloud company will offer several variations on each of these services. A single company operating an IaaS system can also offer PaaS services with the same hardware. Some SaaS providers offer several different services in an a la carte selection for businesses to choose.
In addition to different types of service, clouds come in different forms. The most basic types of cloud deployment are the private and public clouds.
A public cloud is open to public use. Anyone, consumer or business, can set up an account and purchase time on such a cloud. These are the most common types of cloud available to small businesses and consumers. Larger businesses are capable of using a private cloud. ...
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The Basics of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is essentially using the Internet in place of a traditional IT department. Cloud servers replace in-house servers and computer networks, while employees are still able to access programs and data. This technology rose up as a natural progression of increasing bandwidth Internet connections, coupled with the rising costs of maintaining a computer network. From a business perspective, hiring time on a cloud is cheaper than buying and operating servers, with the added benefit of outsourcing maintenance to the owner of the servers. It also allows small businesses to access their data and applications from any geographical location, rather than requiring that they work on an in-house network.
Types of Cloud Service
There are four primary types of cloud computing services.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the most basic level of service. Remote servers offer physical machine or virtual machine access for rent. Businesses purchase space on these servers and are allowed to install applications, use data space and perform tasks on the remote servers. This allows a business to outsource their own data centers or PC upgrades; employees only need a terminal that can connect to the cloud, not one that can run enterprise software. IaaS servers often have nothing installed, and the business must configure an operating system from scratch.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is one step above IaaS. In this model, the operating system, development environment or database setup is already configured. The business can install applications to make use of this environment. It is essentially a more limited version of IaaS without the need to configure the platform manually.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most common cloud computing platform. In it, a business rents time on servers that have certain applications installed and available for use for a specific purpose. They may use a cloud-based timesheet and employee tracking suite, for example, or a data storage application. SaaS systems exist for nearly any type of business application, ranging from email to application development and testing. SaaS platforms are highly variable in capabilities, freedom of use and costs.
Security as a Service (SECaaS) is a new development, particularly in antivirus and antimalware protection. A business can install SECaaS clients on their computers for additional security. A virus cannot disable a remote antivirus at the moment, so until a hole is found in the software, it becomes an effective security suite. Additionally, the virus definitions are always up to date due to the remote nature of the software.
Often, a single cloud company will offer several variations on each of these services. A single company operating an IaaS system can also offer PaaS services with the same hardware. Some SaaS providers offer several different services in an a la carte selection for businesses to choose.
Types of Cloud Deployment
In addition to different types of service, clouds come in different forms. The most basic types of cloud deployment are the private and public clouds.
A public cloud is open to public use. Anyone, consumer or business, can set up an account and purchase time on such a cloud. These are the most common types of cloud available to small businesses and consumers. Larger businesses are capable of using a private cloud. ...