What is Infrastructure-as-a-Service? All About IaaS
What is IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service)?
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a term you’ll see often in regards to cloud computing. IaaS is a means of delivering basic computing infrastructure with processing, network, and/or storage capabilities on-demand. This service model delivers through the internet, and generally on a scaling, pay-as-you-go pricing scheme. This allows users to achieve computing power that was previously only possible through purchasing of expensive hardware and the associated software.
IaaS gives the most control over service delivery and resources on demand.
IaaS is now the standard abstraction model for a variety of workloads and is one of the most popular IT infrastructure options.
IaaS platform and architecture
Infrastructure-as-a-Service is typically a combination of actual and virtualized resources that give customers all the building blocks for computing, storage, and networking.
Computing Power
End-users can easily provision processing resources on a cloud provider’s platforms without worrying about the hardware. As long as the user can define their needs for the cloud service provider (CSP), they can get any measure of computing resources, including CPUs, GPUs, and system memory.
Cloud computation is often supported by auto-scaling and load balancing which allow for the high availability, scaling, and performance qualities that cloud is known for.
Networking
This is another instance in which cloud reduces the need for hardware. In the cloud model, traditional networking hardware such as routers and switches are made available through software, often using APIs.
Storage
Cloud affords users with, essentially, limitless storage of data at minimal cost. Eliminating the need for on-site storage — and the security concerns that goes with such ownership — is a major benefit of modern day IaaS.
Advantages of IaaS
Reduce costs
Most new technology gains a foothold by reducing costs, and cloud is no exception. IaaS lowers the cost of establishing and maintaining a private data center. Simple, metered subscription models are standard among IaaS providers, which saves enterprises considerably on hardware and maintenance.
Scalability
One of the most attractive things about IaaS is its scaling capability. Users can easily scale applications and accommodate resource demand spikes with IaaS. The ability to seamlessly launch new applications worldwide and increase application performance while minimizing costs is a must-have asset in the current tech environment.
Stability and Reliability
IaaS eliminates the need for local software and hardware maintenance, as well as equipment upgrades, asset management, and repairs. With an agreement in place, the cloud service provider ensures that the end user’s infrastructure is reliable and meets often strict service-level agreements (SLAs) for uptime.
Business Continuity
In the past, a level of high availability, business continuity, and disaster recovery required a significant investment in technology and personnel. IaaS can bring this cost down to levels that any organization can afford. With cloud-based services, end users can recover more quickly and efficiently than they could when dealing with in-house hardware and technology.
Security
Security was once a worry when it came to the cloud, but the rapid advancement and adoption of this technology has made it worry-free. Cloud providers are well aware of the security risks involved in hosting applications and storing important data for their users. They invest accordingly in security initiatives and make cybersecurity a top priority — in no uncertain terms, because their own businesses depend on it. The average organization would spend a fortune fielding the level of cybersecurity expertise that now comes part and parcel with an IaaS service agreement.
