Cloud infrastructure
Cloud computing infrastructure is the collection of hardware and software elements needed to enable cloud computing. It includes computing power, networking, and storage, as well as an interface for users to access their virtualized resources.
Cloud infrastructure generally is categorized into three parts that all collaborate to create a cloud service:
Computing: The computing portion of the infrastructure is delivered by server racks in order to deliver cloud services for various services and partners.
Networking: To transfer data externally as well as between computer and storage systems, this part of the infrastructure relies on routers and switches.
Storage: A cloud infrastructure will likely need considerable storage often using a combination of hard disks and flash storage.
Private
With a private cloud architecture, the service is done in-house and on-premise. Resources are shared internally among gated users for a high-level of control and security for sensitive data. This method is often better executed when a company is big enough to effectively operate its own cloud data center and has the budget to finance it. A private cloud makes sense, for example, if a company’s business revolves around an application and its data.
Public
A public cloud architecture is a service provided, managed, and maintained off-site via the internet. This method can help streamline workflows and collaboration on applications with many users (email, for example), making sharing resources more efficient. However, there is a higher risk of vulnerability with a public offering. A public cloud makes sense, for example, if a company is working on an ad-hoc software development project with a PaaS offering.
Hybrid
A hybrid cloud architecture includes a combination of private and public cloud offerings. This offering provides efficiency with a public cloud and security with a private cloud, but a company must manage numerous platforms at once while ensuring seamless API integration. A hybrid cloud makes the most sense, for example, if a company wants to enable a SaaS app while prioritizing security. Therefore, the SaaS provider would create a private cloud within its firewall.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
In the IaaS model, a cloud service provider delivers networking, data storage, servers, and virtualization capabilities. The customer gains access to as much data storage and computing power as they need, but will be required to provide their own software platform to run on it. This includes operating systems, runtime, middleware, data, and applications
In the PaaS model, a cloud service provider delivers the full cloud infrastructure (networks, servers, data, virtualization) along with a software platform that includes operating systems, middleware and runtime. The PaaS model is meant to provide customers with the capability to develop, test, deploy and operate their own applications in the cloud, without the typical expense and complexity of building on-site IT infrastructure.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
In the SaaS model, a service provider delivers an application through a web-based portal. This removes the need for the customer to store any information about the application on their local hard disk. All of the data storage is located on the servers of the service provider. SaaS companies are responsible for every aspect of the technology stack, from maintaining the cloud infrastructure that supports the application to the application itself.