Service ModelsIaaS

What Is IaaS

What is IaaS in Cloud Computing?

IaaS stands for infrastructure as a service and denotes a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources. It may sound a bit complicated, but it’s not. Read on to find out more about what is IaaS in cloud computing.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Definition

IaaS is a virtual data center service. It provides servers, networking resources, storage, and the other basic computing infrastructure that businesses need. IaaS essentially provides the same technologies as a traditional data center.

But you don’t have to physically maintain it. The IaaS provider takes care of the hardware maintenance as part of the service it provides.

However, compared to other cloud distribution models, IaaS comes with more responsibilities for you as you have to manage apps, operating systems, or runtime environments.

what-is-iaasWhat is Iaas-Uses

IaaS usually appeals to small to medium-sized companies that need computing resources but don’t have the money, IT staff, or time to buy and create their own hardware and software systems from scratch. Large companies sometimes use IaaS as well when they require scalable computing resources fast.

IaaS gives you the freedom to install your own operating systems and custom apps. You can configure these as needed rather than get a ready-made product with a more narrow use, as is often the case with the software as a service (SaaS) cloud model.

You can use IaaS to host websites, test a new application you’re developing, store and back up files, run web applications, or manage big data.

Examples of IaaS include the Google Computer Engine, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.

What Are the Benefits of IaaS?

IaaS offers you control over your computing infrastructure, allowing you to configure it according to your needs. In this regard, IaaS is the most flexible cloud computing model.

Scalability

With IaaS, you buy hardware and software resources as you need them. You can scale up or down your subscription so that you always have enough resources as your business grows.

Easy Deployment

IaaS is easier and faster to deploy compared to traditional IT infrastructures. When time is of the essence, IaaS enables you to set up the systems you need fast and without any hassle.

Cost-Effective

IaaS provides good control over your resources, which makes it cost-effective. With it, you don’t have to pay for features you don’t need or invest in more hardware than you need at any given point in time.

Accessibility

IaaS is accessible from anywhere—your team can use it outside of the office. In other words, it improves mobility.

Disaster Protection

IaaS was designed not to have a single point of failure. Unlike a local IT infrastructure that’s prone to power outages and disasters, IaaS can rely on multiple data centers in different locations. If one fails, the others can pick up the workload.

What is IaaS – The Wrap Up

IaaS offers you a smart way to access hardware and software resources when you need them. While it does require technical expertise to be used efficiently, IaaS has become increasingly accessible to businesses of all sizes.

When you need computing resources but don’t have the time or money to build your own IT infrastructure, IaaS can be the right solution.

Is your organization a candidate for IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). If you can answer “yes” to any of the following then chances are your organization could benefit.

  • Application performance limitations due to capacity constraints
  • High business growth that outpaces infrastructure capabilities
  • Large volumes of data that overwhelm on-premises data stores
  • Low utilization of existing infrastructure resources
  • Slow hardware refresh cycles
  • Slow response times with on-premises applications
  • Unpredictable spikes in demand for infrastructure services

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button