Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

A cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources as a service, including virtual machines, storage, and networking components.

Definition

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that offers virtualized computing resources as a service. It provides organizations with on-demand access to virtual machines, storage, networking, and other fundamental computing resources without the need to invest in and manage physical infrastructure.

Explanation

In the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, the cloud service provider manages the underlying infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking equipment, and data centers. Users can provision and configure virtual machines, storage, and networking components according to their specific needs, scaling resources up or down as required.

With IaaS, organizations gain the flexibility to dynamically adjust their IT infrastructure based on demand, without the burden of hardware procurement, maintenance, and scalability challenges. This model allows businesses to focus on deploying and managing applications and services, rather than dealing with the complexities of infrastructure management.

Key characteristics and benefits of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) include:

• Abstraction of underlying infrastructure: Users can abstract away the complexities of managing physical hardware and focus on utilizing virtual resources.

• Scalability and elasticity: Resources can be easily scaled up or down to match changing business requirements, allowing organizations to pay for only what they need.

• Cost savings: By leveraging IaaS, organizations can avoid upfront infrastructure costs, reduce maintenance expenses, and utilize a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

• Rapid deployment: With IaaS, resources can be provisioned and deployed quickly, enabling faster time to market for applications and services.

• Geographic flexibility: IaaS providers often offer multiple data center locations, allowing organizations to deploy resources in different regions for redundancy and performance optimization.

Related terms

• Cloud Computing: The delivery of computing resources, including servers, storage, databases, networking, and software, over the internet.

• Platform as a Service (PaaS): A cloud computing model that provides a platform for developing, deploying, and managing applications, without the need to manage the underlying infrastructure.

• Software as a Service (SaaS): A cloud computing model that delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis, eliminating the need for local installation and maintenance.

• Virtualization: The technology that enables the creation of virtual resources, such as virtual machines or virtual storage, allowing multiple instances to run on a single physical server or storage device.

• Scalability: The ability of a system or application to handle increasing workload or user demand by adding resources or expanding its infrastructure.

By leveraging Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), organizations can reduce infrastructure costs, improve operational efficiency, and focus on their core business objectives without the overhead of managing physical infrastructure. The flexibility and scalability offered by IaaS make it a valuable component of cloud computing strategies.