Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

 Cloud Computing Service Models

IaaS

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• Cloud computing offers a variety of services to customers. IaaS is one of the best and most important services. 
• IaaS is a well-known feature of cloud computing. So, in today's article, we'll talk about IaaS, and let's get started.

What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

• IaaS stands for Infrastructure-as-a-Service in Cloud Computing. Users receive virtualized computing resources through the internet in this type of cloud computing. 
• In this instance, the cloud vendor will be responsible for managing the necessary IT infrastructure. 
• IaaS is a valuable resource model for computing, storage, and networking. 
• Payment is made using the Pay-as-you-go mechanism.
• Hardware as a Service is another name for IaaS. (HaaS). 
• The fundamental benefit of implementing IaaS is that it saves consumers money and time by allowing them to avoid the cost and complexity of buying physical servers.

Characteristics of IaaS

The following are the properties of IaaS:

1. Resources are available as a service.
2. Services are highly scalable.
3. Dynamic and flexible.
4. GUI and API-based access.
5. Automated administrative tasks.

The following services are provided by an IaaS provider

Compute. 

• Computing as a Service contains virtual central processing units and virtual main memory for the virtual machines (VMs) that are provided to end-users.

Storage. 

• Back-end storage is provided by the IaaS provider for storing files.

Network.

• The VMS's networking components, like routers, switches, and bridges, are provided by Network as a Service (NaaS).

Load balancers.

• At the infrastructure layer, they provide load balancing capabilities.

Advantages of IaaS cloud computing layer

Shared infrastructure.

• Multiple users can share the same physical infrastructure with IaaS.

Web access to the resources.

• IT users can utilize IaaS to access resources via the internet.

Pay-as-per-use model.

• Pay-per-use IaaS services are provided by IaaS providers. Users must pay for the services they have received.

Focus on the core business.

• Instead of focusing on IT infrastructure, IaaS providers concentrate on the organization's core business.

On-demand scalability.

• One of the most significant advantages of IaaS is on-demand scalability. 
• Users that utilize IaaS don't have to worry about updating software or troubleshooting issues with hardware components.

Disadvantages of IaaS cloud computing layer

Security.

• One of the most pressing concerns in IaaS is security. The majority of IaaS suppliers are unable to provide complete security.

Maintenance & Upgrade.

• Although IaaS service providers update the software, some firms do not receive upgrades.

Interoperability issues

• Because it is difficult to transition VMs from one IaaS provider to another, consumers may encounter vendor lock-in issues.

Example: DigitalOcean, Linode, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE), Rackspace, and Cisco Metacloud are some of the companies that offer cloud computing services.

IaaS Service Providers

Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Some popular solutions offered are as follows:

• Simple Storage Service (S3).
• Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).
• Route 53.
• Glacier.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a well-known cloud vendor that provides computing and storage services to users through Google Compute Engine.

Microsoft Azure: 

• The Virtual Machines will provide cloud virtualization for a variety of cloud computing applications.
• In today's market, there are a few Cloud Giants. The following is a list of some smaller participants in the IaaS market, which comprise the following products.
• Rackspace Managed Cloud.
• IBM Cloud Private.
• IBM Cloud Virtual Servers.
• CenturyLink Cloud.
• DigitalOcean Droplets.
• Alibaba Elastic Compute Service.
• Alibaba Cloud Elastic High-Performance Computing (E-HPC).
• Alibaba Elastic GPU Service (EGS).
• Reliance Communications Reliance Internet Data Center.
• Tata Communications InstaCompute.
• Sify Technologies Sify IaaS.