🌩️ Types of Cloud Computing Services

These are typically categorized into three primary models, known as the “Cloud Computing Stack”:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

What it is: Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.

You manage: Applications, data, runtime, middleware, and OS.

Provider manages: Virtualization, servers, storage, and networking.

Examples:

Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2

Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines

Google Compute Engine (GCE)

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

What it is: Provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with infrastructure.

You manage: Applications and data.

Provider manages: Runtime, OS, middleware, servers, storage, and networking.

Examples:

Google App Engine

Microsoft Azure App Services

Heroku

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

What it is: Delivers software applications over the internet, typically via a subscription model.

You manage: Just your usage and some configuration.

Provider manages: Everything else.

Examples:

Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs)

Microsoft 365

Salesforce

☁️ Types of Cloud Deployment Models

These define how the cloud services are made available:

Public Cloud: Shared infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)

Private Cloud: Used exclusively by one organization (can be on-premises)

Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds for flexibility

Multi-cloud: Uses services from multiple cloud providers

✅ Benefits of Cloud Computing

Scalability (scale up or down on demand)

Cost-effectiveness (pay-as-you-go model)

Reliability (backup and disaster recovery)

Accessibility (access from anywhere)

Security (robust security tools and compliance options)

🔒 Challenges & Considerations

Data privacy and compliance

Vendor lock-in

Downtime and internet dependency

Cost management

Security risks if not managed properly