Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Cloud Technology Overview

Cloud technology delivers computing services such as storage, processing, and software over the Internet. It is widely utilized today due to its scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility, allowing businesses and individuals to access resources remotely anytime from virtually anywhere without the burden of managing dedicated hardware. 

In the digital age today, clouds are ubiquitous, and various Internet services like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Dropbox cater to individuals, offering email, document sharing, storage, and media editing.

Cloud Deployment Models

Four cloud deployment models determine how data is owned and controlled in the cloud:

  • Public Clouds: Open to the public but managed by a cloud service provider. There is only little control over upgrades, security, and tech implementations.
  • Private Clouds: No public access, but only used by specific organizations or groups. Maintains control over data, security, and performance.
  • Community Clouds: Suited for organizations with shared goals and requirements. It is managed internally or externally and is not open for public use.
  • Hybrid Clouds: Combines two or more cloud infrastructures (private, community, public), offers scalability and security benefits, and allows control over resource distribution. For instance, it can archive older data in public clouds while keeping current data in a private cloud, retaining control over data protection.

Cloud Service Models

Clouds are vast data centers providing shared computing resources, including storage, processing power, memory, and network bandwidth. These resources are delivered as services rather than products. Clouds offer a wide array of services, mirroring what traditional computers can provide, ranging from processing capabilities to operating systems and applications. 

Three service models define the extent to which the cloud manages the IT infrastructure, impacting responsibilities for the provider and customer:

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This model enables users to access and manage essential computing resources such as processing power, storage, and network capacities. Customers are responsible for configuring, customizing, and maintaining their virtualized infrastructure, including installing and managing operating systems and applications. This flexibility and control make IaaS a versatile choice for businesses seeking customized cloud solutions that align with their specific requirements, allowing them to scale resources up or down to meet changing demands. Popular IaaS providers include Amazon Elastic Computing Cloud (EC2), Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines, and Google Compute Engine.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS offers a pre-configured platform with tools, services, and infrastructure, reducing the need for users to manage underlying hardware and software. PaaS providers dictate supported programming languages, libraries, and tools, streamlining the development process. Users can build, test, and deploy applications on the PaaS provider's infrastructure, which also handles scalability and maintenance, allowing developers to focus on coding and innovation. Popular PaaS offerings include Google App Engine, Salesforce, and Oracle Cloud Platform, among many others.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): This model provides hosted applications accessed by users from various devices. The service provider fully manages and updates these applications, eliminating user maintenance tasks. SaaS is popular for various applications, from email and office software to customer relationship management (CRM) and collaboration tools. It offers flexibility and accessibility and ensures software is always up-to-date and secure, simplifying software usage and reducing maintenance efforts for users and organizations. Examples of SaaS cloud services are Cisco Webex, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Creative Cloud.