Types of Cloud Computing & Cloud Computing Services [2024]

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services on-demand to save on capital costs and free up IT departments and developers to focus on core work. Computing services include storage, processing, and networking power, whereas undifferentiated work involves maintenance, capacity planning, and procurement.

Cloud providers are the companies providing these cloud computing services. It is gaining popularity due to several benefits: scalability, agility, elasticity, speed, money savings, reliability, and physical security. 

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Types of Cloud

There are four types of clouds based on location.

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1. Public Cloud

The cloud provider offers a public cloud environment model through the internet on a pay-per-use basis for multiple businesses.

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The only disadvantage of the public cloud is that it is not the best choice for the safety of sensitive data. Otherwise, it is advantageous due to its easy scalability, cost-effectiveness, easy management, no geographical restrictions, and high reliability. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are some examples of a public cloud. 

Read: Cloud Computing Ultimate Guide

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2. Private Cloud

An enterprise can own and host a private cloud environment. A private cloud limits access to the in-house team resulting in a more controlled, secure, and centralized environment for IT resources. It can be managed by a service provider or by an in-house team. 

Though the private cloud is more expensive than the public cloud, it is suitable for larger businesses seeking a higher safety, security, and privacy level. It allows customization in the storage, computing, and networking areas according to the organisation’s IT requirements.

In a private cloud environment, it is difficult to access data through remote locations. It also requires IT expertise to manage the cloud. The advantages of a private cloud are more security, higher customizability, and better control over the server. 

Also Read: Top Cloud Computing Models Explained

3. Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud environment model is a combination of a private and public cloud environment model. It provides IT solutions that meet specific business requirements seeking benefits of both public cloud environments and their private cloud. The hybrid cloud model is one of the most scalable, flexible, and cost-effective environments, along with enhanced security. 

Hybrid cloud architecture has two common types of viz. Cloudbursting and outsource non-critical applications. Depending on the purpose, applications can be shared on both private or public cloud, but most organizations host essential applications on their own IT resources. Though it’s the most adaptable cloud environment, there might be conflicts in the network level communication between private and public clouds.   

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4. Community Cloud 

A community cloud environment is shared between organizations that fit into a specific community, such as geographic or professional communities, having a common goal. It is a private cloud working like a public cloud within a controlled environment.

There are different models and deployment strategies available as per the user’s needs having different levels of control, flexibility, and management. These levels are also called cloud stack as they are built on top of one another and decide control over actions. 

Types of Cloud Computing Services

There are four types of cloud computing services:

1. IaaS

It stands for infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). IaaS is a widely used type of cloud computing service. It has basic building blocks of the cloud that provides access to networking features such as virtual servers, operating systems, network, and data storage drives, on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

The advantage of IaaS is that it allows rental services to computers and data storage space. It assists in enhancing the flexibility, scalability, reliability, and management control of IT services over the internet by removing the hardware in the workplace.

IaaS is ideal for small and medium-sized companies/organizations for cost-effective IT solutions available as a private, public, or hybrid infrastructure. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Cisco Metacloud, and Google Compute Engine (GCE) are some examples of IaaS.

2. PaaS

It stands for Platform as a Service (PaaS). It manages the underlying infrastructure, such as servers, network, storage, and databases, while organizations focus on managing and deploying applications. PaaS provides an on-demand environment to develop, test, deliver, and manage software applications. 

PaaS enhances the efficacy of resource procurement, software maintenance, capacity planning, patching, and other undifferentiated work. It helps in the quick creation of web or mobile applications. Microsoft Azure, Apache Stratos, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Google App Engine offer a PaaS environment.

3. SaaS

It stands for Software as a Service (SaaS), and it assists in hosting and managing the software application. SaaS focuses on maintenance like software up-gradation and security patching, and underlying infrastructure. It provides completed product and software applications over the internet, as per the demand and subscription to the service that is run, handled, and managed by the cloud service provider. 

SaaS offers end-user applications that remove the need for maintaining and managing the underlying infrastructure. Microsoft Office 365, Cisco WebEx, Salesforce, and Google Apps are some examples of SaaS applications.

4. FaaS

It stands for Function as a Service (FaaS). It reduces developers’ hassle of virtual servers, containers, or application runtimes by uploading narrow functional blocks of code with the provision of triggering for a specific event. FaaS applications are based on IaaS for particular circumstances, to reduce the fees of pay-per-use. Adding another abstraction layer to PaaS, it ensures developers from everything in the stack below their code. FaaS examples include Azure functions and AWS Lambdas.

Conclusion

Thus, depending on the business needs and cost-effectiveness, the cloud environment is deployed within the organization for maximum benefits in IT operations and securities.

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