CC&BT Unit 2- Cloud Architecture Layers and Model PDF

Module 2- Cloud architecture layers and Model By Apurva Joshi Cloud computing Architecture  Cloud computing architecture is the collective term for all the components used in cloud computing. It’s usually divided into three main components — namely, a front end for the user to interact with,...

Module 2- Cloud architecture layers and Model By Apurva Joshi Cloud computing Architecture  Cloud computing architecture is the collective term for all the components used in cloud computing. It’s usually divided into three main components — namely, a front end for the user to interact with, a back end to store data and perform computations, and a network that connects them.  A cloud-based delivery model allows the end user to access the system, providing a seamless user experience.  A more granular way to look at cloud architecture is through computing layers.  Each of these layers manages a specific part of a cloud solution, and they also abstract access to deeper layers and the underlying infrastructure. Cloud computing architecture  The application layer sits on top, and it handles the front end and the overall user experience. Underneath is the platform layer, which contains tools that developers use to build and manage the solution.  Next is the infrastructure layer — sometimes split into a storage layer and a compute layer — that manages the back-end operations of the solution.  Finally, there’s the data center layer, which handles networking with the underlying infrastructure and the physical hardware that powers the solution.  This final layer is sometimes divided into two subcategories: the network layer and the physical layer. What Is Cloud Computing Architecture?  Cloud computing architecture refers to the underlying structure of cloud solutions.  Unlike on-premises solutions, where the system’s front end and back end are often in the same location, a cloud architecture relies on an external network to communicate between these two components. What Are the Main Cloud Architecture Components?  The main cloud architecture components are a  front end,  a back end, and  a network using a cloud-based delivery model.  Any cloud architecture is made up of these three core components that each play a vital role. 1. Front-End Platform  The front end is the part of the cloud architecture that the end user sees or interacts with, such as a web browser, a native application or a physical device. The main components of a front-end platform are a user interface, a software, and a client device or network.  The user interface can either be a graphical user interface (GUI) or a command-line interface (CLI) that’s delivered as software — either as a web interface or native application — to the client’s device through their network.  Whatever the method, the front end provides abstracted and seamless access to the hidden back end. The main components of a front-end platform are the user interface, software and client device or network.  User interface: As the most visible part of the front end, the user interface is what the end user actually interacts with on a routine basis. The easiest type of user interface for most people is a GUI, but more complicated software often employs command-line or text-based interfaces as well.  Software: The type of software used for the front end determines how the user accesses it. A web application can be opened in a regular web browser, whereas a native desktop or mobile application must be installed by the end user, necessitating some sort of delivery mechanism like the app store or a.exe installer file.  Client device or network: The software and user interface need to run on the client’s device, which can be a computer, mobile device, router or any other digital equipment. In order for the software and user interface to communicate with the back end, they must connect through a local network, like a regular internet connection. 2. Network (Internet, Intranet or Intercloud)  The network is what connects the front-end and back-end to eachother and also to the end-user.  The key difference between cloud architecture and its on-premises counterpart is the network component.  This connects the front end, which the end user interacts with, to the back end that does all the actual work.  Most cloud solutions use regular internet connections, but private clouds can use an intranet (similar to an on-premises solution).  Multi-cloud solutions rely on an intercloud network. 3. Back-End Platform  The back end is the cloud architecture component that does all the heavy lifting. Only system administrators and developers can see and access this part of the solution, and it consists of many individual components.  The main components of a back-end platform are the application itself; the service it uses to access infrastructure, such as the cloud runtime and storage; and the management and security systems that are built into the architecture natively.  These components and their functions are explained below:  Application: The application that receives data and input from the front end is the first point of contact between the two platforms.  Service: The type of cloud service provider (IaaS, PaaS or SaaS) determines what resources are provided and which cloud architecture layers the client can access.  Cloud runtime: The runtime is the virtual cloud environment that performs computations and executes code.  Storage: Any cloud solution uses cloud storage to store data that the solution needs to run.  Infrastructure: The underlying infrastructure that underpins the entire solution. This infrastructure usually takes the form of an enormous amount of remote servers that are centralized in data centers.  Management: In order to effectively operate a cloud solution, sysadmins and developers need management tools that allow them to monitor, customize and optimize the cloud architecture.  Security: Since cloud computing usually exposes the solution to the public internet, built-in cloud security measures are needed to prevent unauthorized access and unintended data leaks. What Are Cloud Architecture Layers?  Cloud architecture is divided into layers, with each layer responsible for handling a specific set of components.  While understanding the difference between a front-end platform and a back-end platform is useful, it tells you little about the cloud solution’s underlying architecture. For that, we have to dive into the different cloud architecture layers, which all represent a different level of abstraction and purpose.  The cloud architecture layers include the application layer, the platform layer, the infrastructure layer and the data center layer. The latter two can be further subdivided into the storage and compute layers, and the network and physical layers, respectively. The cloud architecture layers and their functions are listed below:  Application layer: This layer is the most abstracted part of a cloud’s back end. Like the front end, this layer usually contains a user interface, which represents the other side of the application that the end user uses. With SaaS solutions, this is usually the only back-end layer that the client can access.  Platform layer: The platform layer goes one level deeper — it’s where developers can use tools and test environments to change how the front- end and back-end applications work. PaaS solutions provide access to the platform layer. The cloud architecture layers and their functions are listed below:  Infrastructure layer: This layer handles the actual allocation of storage and computing resources to the platform layer. IaaS solutions allow direct access to the infrastructure layer, which can be further divided into two categories:  Storage layer: The storage layer lets the end user access the cloud storage resources that the provider offers, which are usually so vast that they can seem to be infinite.  Compute layer: The compute layer is where the end user can access the virtual machines that provide the processing power necessary for the cloud solution to run.  Data center layer: The deepest cloud architecture layer represents access to the underlying network that links everything together, as well as the actual physical hardware that powers it all.  Network layer: IaaS solutions provide limited access to the network layer, allowing users to customize and tweak how their data moves.  Physical layer: The end user can rarely utilize the physical layer as it gives access to the individual hardware units that the cloud provider operates. A cloud computing system is made up of different layers that serve distinct purposes and offer abstracted access to deeper layers What Are the Types of Cloud Architecture?  Cloud architecture types based on deployment model are public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud computing.  If defined by service model then they are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions.  Cloud Architecture Deployment Models  Cloud architecture deployment models define cloud solutions based on who owns the underlying infrastructure and how it is accessed and delivered.  The four types of cloud architecture deployment models are public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud and their functions are described below: Architecture based on Deployment Model  There are public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, if you go by deployment model. When looking at the different service models, cloud architecture can take the form of IaaS, PaaS or SaaS solutions, depending on the level of abstraction.  Cloud computing architecture has many benefits over traditional on- premises architecture such as greater scalability, greatly reduced costs and improved security in many cases. On the other hand, it presents a greater risk of downtime as well as less control and flexibility. Cloud Architecture Deployment Models  Public cloud architecture: Public cloud architecture is built and maintained by third-party cloud providers who rent access to the infrastructure, platform or software on a pay-as-you-go or subscription-based model.  This type of architecture offers ease of use as well as cost-effective and essentially infinite scalability, but at the cost of control and flexibility.  Private cloud architecture: Private cloud architecture operates similarly to an on-premises solution.  The underlying hardware or infrastructure is either owned directly by the client or exclusively rented by a third-party provider.  Either way, the end user gets less abstracted access and can customize the underlying infrastructure to a degree not possible with public clouds. Cloud Architecture Deployment Models  Hybrid cloud architecture: Hybrid cloud architecture consists of a public cloud component and a private cloud component.  This approach offers benefits from public cloud architecture (cost- effectiveness and scalability) and private cloud architecture (flexibility, regulatory compliance and control).  It also minimizes the risks and disadvantages associated with both.  Multi-cloud architecture: Multi-cloud architecture takes advantage of many separate cloud computing architectures, either public or private.  This method requires additional middleware to ensure the different clouds communicate properly, but it lets the end user take advantage of exclusive features on multiple platforms. Cloud Architecture Deployment Models Cloud-based applications can be deployed in several different ways, depending on who owns the actual infrastructure and how access is managed. Cloud Architecture Service Models  Cloud architecture service models describe the level of abstraction that is employed when delivering the solution to the end user.  The three types of cloud architecture service models and their functions are explained below:  IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service solutions provide direct access to the infrastructure layer, and thus offer control over cloud storage and processing resources.  Access to the actual hardware layer is still abstracted. IaaS solutions are best for those who want custom-made niche solutions, or for large organizations with the resources to hire or purchase the expertise required to manage them.  Cloud Architecture Service Models  PaaS: Platform as a Service solutions simplify the cloud architecture by abstracting the infrastructure layer and only giving direct access to the platform layer.  The end user can still create custom applications to suit their needs, but they don’t have to worry about managing and allocating the resources powering it.  PaaS solutions are ideal for developing cloud solutions that don’t require in- depth control over the underlying infrastructure and storage.  SaaS: Software as a Service solutions provide the most abstracted access to the cloud architecture.  They only allow the client to interact with the application layer of the back end, where they can access deeper layers like infrastructure through managed applications. SaaS- Software as a service  Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud- based apps over the Internet. Common examples are email, calendaring, and office tools (such as Microsoft Office 365).  SaaS provides a complete software solution that you purchase on a pay- as-you-go basis from a cloud service provider.  You rent the use of an app for your organization, and your users connect to it over the Internet, usually with a web browser.  All of the underlying infrastructure, middleware, app software, and app data are located in the service provider’s data center.  The service provider manages the hardware and software, and with the appropriate service agreement, will ensure the availability and the security of the app and your data as well.  SaaS allows your organization to get quickly up and running with an app at minimal upfront cost.  Common SaaS scenarios  If you’ve used a web-based email service such as Outlook, Hotmail, or Yahoo! Mail, then you’ve already used a form of SaaS. With these services, you log into your account over the Internet, often from a web browser. The email software is located on the service provider’s network, and your messages are stored there as well. You can access your email and stored messages from a web browser on any computer or Internet-connected device.  The previous examples are free services for personal use. For organizational use, you can rent productivity apps, such as email, collaboration, and calendaring; and sophisticated business applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and document management. You pay for the use of these apps by subscription or according to the level of use. Features and Characteristics of Software as a Service (SaaS)  SaaS applications are gradually becoming on-demand service solutions for many companies. When pitching your SaaS application and the developmental process needed with companies, some unique characteristics make SaaS software applications complete.  Although most Software as a Service software tools vary from each other in several aspects, there are some unique characteristics that they all have in common. 1. Multi-Tenancy Model  Multi-tenancy is a unique software architecture that can serve multiple tenants through a single deployment. The cloud provider performs the following responsibilities such as power management, backups, security, and system maintenance for users.  As they are more generally known through this model, tenants or customers are afforded the remarkable ability to customize some unique parts of the service application.  Usually, these customizations are per requirements as the customer decides what features and qualities they want in their service application. It is a popular trend among SaaS applications to be designed so that each storage area is segregated per customer.  Segregation of the storage area is possible by combining different databases in a precise location or a single database, having different sachems or in the same database, and utilizing discriminators to distinguish them from each other.  A multi-tenant SaaS model allows tenants to sign in using their credentials and gain access to the service while enabling each tenant to authenticate their own identity against their access management system. Multi-Tenancy Model 2. Automated Provisioning  Automated provisioning makes it easier for users to access SaaS applications from anywhere they desire.  Most of the users of SaaS applications are B2B and B2C customers, as there is a high demand by their customers for web services that provide them access credentials.  CREST API from Microsoft is a famous example of a SaaS application that provides automated provisioning, as it is one of the key characteristics of every SaaS provider.  Usually, SaaS providers and Cloud Service Broker (CSB) platforms use automated provisioning to provide users access based on demand.  The de-provisioning ability of SaaS apps is another important characteristic that allows enterprise users to remove their access when they decide not to use the Software as a Service application.  Take the example of Salesforce, a SaaS app that allows users who specialize in sales to manage their sales-related operations. By simply invoking the APIs of Salesforce, customers are provided with unique identification on Salesforce.  Salesforce allows another set of APIs to be created for users under the one the initial customer created. The access credentials are shared from the first customer to the new user.  The popular B2B SaaS company allows users to delete API when customers wish to discontinue their access to its software application. 3. Single Sign-On  Typically, an enterprise software would opt for a single identity system as a means of authenticating the various systems that are to be used up by their users.  A singular identity system is a single page that provides enterprises with login credentials and access to all SaaS applications provided to their various users.  With this critical feature, SaaS applications are easily integrated with various identity management systems without requiring many changes.  Another reason this feature benefits enterprises is that the overhead cost and maintenance incurred in storing and maintaining multiple credentials per system are very high. Opting for a singular identity system helps reduce costs for enterprises.  Single sign-on for SaaS applications makes it easy to authenticate against the existing identity system to provide a once for all logging-in experience to its customers. Single Sign On 4. Subscription-Based Billing  SaaS applications are viable because they are subscription-based. The subscription-based feature implies that customers only need to buy the SaaS applications when required and can opt to cancel their access to the application when there is no longer a need.  With the subscription-based model that SaaS applications operate on, the standard pricing charges are devoid of the complexity of licensing and upgrading costs.  The subscription-based billing that SaaS applications adhere to utilizes a seat- based charging structure in which the overall cost to be paid is decided by the number of quantities purchased.  Although some SaaS service providers offer their customers different subscription periods, either monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annually, a large bulk of SaaS service providers run a usage-based billing system. 5. High Availability  SaaS applications are readily available to users through the internet. Multiple tenants sharing SaaS applications make the demand for these applications high. SaaS application providers must provide their customers a high degree of SLA (service-level agreement).  Since most SaaS applications adopt a multiple-tenant approach, they need to be accessible around the clock without limitations or obstacles.  SaaS apps should use expose management and API monitoring to check health and availability factors continuously. 6. Elastic Infrastructure  SaaS applications usage varies largely across different periods. With this factor in mind, SaaS application providers must incorporate the right public cloud infrastructure to expand or shrink the deployment resources.  Most modern SaaS applications are now built in such a way that it is easy to identify and determine the behaviors of the service infrastructure.  SaaS applications have the potential to stretch and contract their services and deploy flexible infrastructure based on the resource requirement.  The accessibility of resources works alongside monitoring agents within the deployment resources and is closely linked with the respective management servers.  Internal policies and procedures are also incorporated as an essential part of the core architecture to make it easy for the infrastructure resources to expand or shrink. Microarchitecture-based SaaS applications are classic examples. 7. Data Security  Security is a crucial characteristic of SaaS. This characteristic secures users’ data and business information from unauthorized access or prevents it from being corrupted.  The uniqueness of Software as a Service is that they are designed to accommodate multi- tenants, making it more critical for the tight security of the data under their platform.  Usually, some unique types of data for particular tenants are enabled with encrypted storage and are left out of the reach of other tenants as it is only accessible to a particular tenant.  An essential part of SaaS applications is a good key management framework that can integrate well with other external key management frameworks.  SaaS application providers can improve their data security and users' confidence in their platform by integrating with Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB), a cloud services broker, which help further shore up data security.  With influential role Based Access Controls, data security is further guaranteed.  8. Application Security  Vulnerabilities are often experienced with any system and need to be addressed to shore up the system and instill confidence on the users' part.  Like any other system, SaaS applications need an adequate protection feature that protects their platform from factors that tend to leave them vulnerable to data breaches.  OWASP or SAN-identified vulnerabilities are top of the list of vulnerabilities that most SaaS providers shore up their systems against due to the sensitive data they deal with on their platforms.  One of the best ways SaaS applications contain these vulnerabilities is by incorporating and enabling strong identity and access management controls in their platform.  Here are some other areas that SaaS applications utilize to strengthen their application security further.  Strong session management prevents hackers and hijackers from taking control of users' sessions.  Identifying unauthorized sessions and protecting the application from multi-session.  Step-up authentication, including password, and lockout, restrict access to the application.  Multi-factor authentication.  Protection against buffer overflow attacks.  Integration points open with CASB, which helps gain multiple customers' confidence. Top 10 Vulnerabilities 9. Configuration and Customization SaaS applications allow for traditional application configurations  one of the many distinctive characteristics of SaaS. With this feature, a single user can alter the configuration parameters that  provide a unique feel and look to them based on their predetermined configuration parameters.  Think of it as a set of page layouts where customers can customize individual elements but cannot alter the whole page layout. 10. Open Integration Protocols  SaaS applications offer APIs and integration protocols that operate effectively with the network of enterprise organizations to make up for their inability to access internal systems, including databases.  The development of mashups and lightweight applications came from the standardization of APIs and the widespread availability of SaaS apps.  Mashups are as practical as software, as they integrate well with things outside the organization's firewall.  One distinctive characteristic of mashups is that it enables the creation of compound services to combine data and various functionalities from different services. 11. Accelerated Feature Delivery  Unlike most traditional software, SaaS applications are updated frequently. This feature comes from its unique central hosting, lack of multiple backend versions, unique configuration, and provider access to the app.  With the agile approach that Software as a Service is built on, SaaS applications are equipped to provide an accelerated delivery feature. Advantages of SaaS  Gain access to sophisticated applications. To provide SaaS apps to users, you don’t need to purchase, install, update, or maintain any hardware, middleware, or software. SaaS makes even sophisticated enterprise applications, such as ERP and CRM, affordable for organizations that lack the resources to buy, deploy, and manage the required infrastructure and software themselves.  Pay only for what you use. You also save money because the SaaS service automatically scales up and down according to the level of usage.  Use free client software. Users can run most SaaS apps directly from their web browser without needing to download and install any software, although some apps require plugins. This means that you don’t need to purchase and install special software for your users.  Mobilize your workforce easily. SaaS makes it easy to “mobilize” your workforce because users can access SaaS apps and data from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. You don’t need to worry about developing apps to run on different types of computers and devices because the service provider has already done so. In addition, you don’t need to bring special expertise onboard to manage the security issues inherent in mobile computing. A carefully chosen service provider will ensure the security of your data, regardless of the type of device consuming it.  Access app data from anywhere. With data stored in the cloud, users can access their information from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. And when app data is stored in the cloud, no data is lost if a user’s computer or device fails. What is PaaS?  Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides customers a complete cloud platform—hardware, software and infrastructure—for developing, running and managing applications without the cost, complexity and inflexibility that often comes with building and maintaining that platform on premises.  The PaaS provider hosts everything—servers, networks, storage, operating system software, databases, development tools—at their data center. Typically customers can pay a fixed fee to provide a specified amount of resources for a specified number of users, or they can choose 'pay-as-you-go' pricing to pay only for the resources they use.  Either option enables PaaS customers to build, test, deploy run, update and scale applications more quickly and inexpensively than if they had had to build out and manage their own on-premises platform.  Every leading cloud service provider—including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, IBM Cloud and Microsoft Azure—has its own PaaS offering. Popular PaaS solutions are also available as open source projects (for example, Apache Stratos, Cloud Foundry) or from software vendors (for example, Red Hat OpenShift and Salesforce Heroku). Features of PaaS  Development Frameworks and Languages: PaaS supports multiple programming languages and frameworks. Developers can choose the tools they’re most comfortable with, whether it’s Java, Python,.NET, or others. PaaS providers offer pre-configured runtime environments for these languages, simplifying development.  Middleware Services: PaaS includes middleware components such as databases, message queues, and caching systems. These services are readily available, eliminating the need for developers to set up and manage them separately. Examples include Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, and Google Cloud Firestore.  Automated Deployment and Scaling: PaaS platforms automate deployment processes. Developers can push code changes directly to the platform, which handles deployment, scaling, and load balancing. Autoscaling ensures that resources adjust dynamically based on demand.  Features of PaaS  Integrated Development Tools: PaaS provides integrated development environments (IDEs) that streamline coding, testing, and debugging. These tools often include version control, collaboration features, and code analysis.  Security and Compliance: PaaS platforms offer security features like encryption, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. Compliance certifications (such as SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI DSS) are essential for applications handling sensitive data.  Service Marketplace: Many PaaS providers offer a marketplace where developers can discover and integrate third-party services. Examples include APIs for payment processing, machine learning, or geolocation.  Cost Management: PaaS allows organizations to pay only for the resources they use. Pricing models vary (e.g., pay-as-you-go or reserved instances), but overall, it’s cost-effective compared to managing on-premises infrastructure. Benefits of PaaS  Faster time to market. With PaaS, there’s no need to purchase and install the hardware and software you use to build and maintain your application development platform—and no need for development teams to wait while you do it. You simply tap into the cloud service provider’s PaaS to begin provisioning resources and developing immediately.  Affordable access to a wider variety of resources. PaaS platforms typically offer access to a wider range of choices up and down the application stack— including operating systems, middleware, databases and development tools— than most organizations can practically or affordably maintain themselves.  More freedom to experiment, with less risk. PaaS also lets you try or test new operating systems, languages and other tools without having to make substantial investments in them or in the infrastructure required to run them. Benefits of PaaS  Easy, cost-effective scalability. With an on-premises platform, scaling is always expensive, often wasteful and sometimes inadequate: You must purchase more compute, storage and networking capacity in anticipation of traffic spikes. Much of that capacity sits idle during low-traffic periods, and none of it can be increased in time to accommodate unanticipated surges. With PaaS, you can purchase more capacity and use it immediately, whenever you need it.  Greater flexibility for development teams. PaaS services provide a shared software development environment that allows development and operations teams access to all the tools they need, from any location with an internet connection.  Lower costs overall. Clearly PaaS reduces costs by enabling an organization to avoid capital equipment expense associated with building and scaling an application platform. But PaaS can also reduce or eliminate software licensing costs. And by handling patches, updates and other administrative tasks, PaaS can reduce your overall application management costs. What is IaaS?  IaaS, or Infrastructure as a Service, is a cloud computing model that provides on-demand access to computing resources such as servers, storage, networking, and virtualization.  IaaS is attractive because acquiring computing resources to run applications or store data the traditional way requires time and capital. Organizations must purchase equipment through procurement processes that can take months. They must invest in physical spaces, typically specialized rooms with power and cooling. And after deploying the systems, they need IT professionals to manage and maintain them.  All this is challenging to scale when demand spikes or business grows. You run the risk of running out of capacity or overbuilding and paying for infrastructure that you never use. IaaS defined  Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is the on-demand availability of highly scalable computing resources as services over the internet. It eliminates the need for enterprises to procure, configure, or manage infrastructure themselves, and they only pay for what they use. Features of IaaS  Resource Virtualization:  IaaS providers abstract physical hardware resources (such as servers, storage, and networking) into virtualized components.  Virtual machines (VMs) are created on demand, allowing you to allocate compute resources without worrying about the underlying hardware.  Scalability:  IaaS platforms offer dynamic scaling. You can easily increase or decrease resources based on workload demands.  Scaling can be vertical (adding more resources to a single VM) or horizontal (adding more VM instances).  Self-Service Provisioning:  Users can provision and manage resources independently through web-based interfaces or APIs.  This self-service model reduces administrative overhead.  Features of IaaS  Pay-as-You-Go Billing:  IaaS follows a pay-per-use model. You pay only for the resources consumed.  This cost-effective approach allows businesses to avoid upfront capital expenses.  Network Connectivity:  IaaS resources are accessible over the internet.  You can configure networking components (such as firewalls, load balancers, and virtual networks) to suit your needs.  Security and Compliance:  IaaS providers implement security measures, but users are responsible for securing their applications and data.  Compliance certifications (e.g., ISO, SOC 2) may be available depending on the provider.  Geographic Distribution:  IaaS services are often available in multiple data centers across different regions.  Users can choose data centers based on proximity, redundancy, and compliance requirements.  Backup and Disaster Recovery:  IaaS platforms offer backup and snapshot features.  Disaster recovery options allow you to replicate data across regions for resilience. IaaS explained: How does it work?  IaaS in cloud computing is when you rent access to cloud infrastructure resources as individual services from a cloud service provider (CSP), including servers, virtual machines, networking resources, and storage. IaaS helps eliminate much of the complexity and costs associated with building and maintaining physical infrastructure in an on-premises data center.  The CSP is responsible for managing and maintaining the infrastructure, so you can concentrate on installing, configuring, and managing software and keeping your data secure. IaaS providers also offer additional services, such as detailed billing management, logging, monitoring, storage resiliency, and security.  You can access IaaS resources using a pay-as-you-go basis, allowing you to only pay to consume the resources that you need. In other words, you can easily increase or decrease resources, allowing you to pay less when needed or instantly provision and scale out resources to meet new demand.  Benefits of IaaS  It’s economical  Because IaaS resources are used on demand and enterprises only have to pay for the compute, storage, and networking resources that are actually used, IaaS costs are fairly predictable and can be easily contained and budgeted for.  It’s efficient  IaaS resources are regularly available to businesses when they need them. As a result, enterprises reduce delays when expanding infrastructure and, alternatively, don’t waste resources by overbuilding capacity.  It boosts productivity  Because the cloud provider is responsible for setting up and maintaining the underlying physical infrastructure, enterprise IT departments save time and money and can redirect resources to more strategic activities. Benefits of IaaS  It’s reliable  IaaS has no single point of failure. Even if any one component of the hardware resources fails, the service will usually still remain available.  It’s scalable  One of the biggest advantages of IaaS in cloud computing is the capability to scale the resources up and down rapidly according to the needs of the enterprise.  It drives faster time to market  Because IaaS offers virtually infinite flexibility and scalability, enterprises can get their work done more efficiently, ensuring faster development life cycles. Advantages of IaaS  Cost savings  IaaS helps reduce your upfront capital expenditures. Resources are used on demand, meaning you only have to pay for the compute, storage, and networking resources that you consume. IaaS costs are fairly predictable and can be easily contained and budgeted for.  Increased efficiency  IaaS resources are regularly available to businesses when they need them. As a result, organizations can reduce provisioning delays when expanding infrastructure and, alternatively, avoid wasting resources by overbuilding capacity.  More innovation  IT teams not only have more time to spend on strategic work, IaaS makes it fast and affordable to test new products and ideas. You can easily spin up the necessary computing infrastructure without having to wait days or weeks for it to be ready, speeding up development lifecycles and time to market. Advantages of IaaS  Reliability  IaaS platforms have no single point of failure. Cloud infrastructure offers built-in redundancy and fault tolerance, with workloads spread across multiple servers and facilities. Even if one component of the hardware resources fails, the service will usually remain available.  High scalability  One of the biggest advantages of IaaS in cloud computing is the capability to automatically scale resources up and down rapidly. You can accommodate sudden spikes in demand almost instantly and scale back when the resources are no longer required.  Lower latency  Most cloud service providers achieve greater availability and resiliency with the help of a global network that covers multiple geographies. You can minimize latency and increase performance by placing apps and services in the regions and zones closest to your end users. Do you need IaaS?  One of the primary reasons businesses choose IaaS is to reduce their capital expenditures and transform them into operational expenses. IaaS provides storage, compute, and networking options that don’t require them to purchase and maintain vast private server rooms that take up a lot of energy and space.  If you have unpredictable workload volumes or the need to move swiftly in response to business fluctuations, you might also turn to IaaS as a cost-effective way to support your operations.  If your organization experiences any of the following, you’re probably a good candidate for IaaS:  High business growth that outpaces infrastructure capabilities  Unpredictable spikes in demand for infrastructure services  Low utilization of existing infrastructure resources  Large volumes of data that overwhelm on-premises data stores  Slow response times with on-premises applications  Application performance limitations due to capacity constraints  Slow hardware refresh cycles