There are different types of cloud computing that all offers different types of services. The one thing they have in common is that they offer ways for businesses to outsource part of their IT infrastructure. It can be storage space, software, platforms or whole segments a server’s room.
Types of cloud computing
Data storage and sharing
Data storage is the kind of cloud computing that is the most known and most used. You can have access to online storage for a small fee, or even free for a couple of gigabytes.
Two well-known companies are Dropbox and Google drive. They offer access to online storage and they provide a simple-to-use software that will synchronize
automatically your files between your different computers and even your mobile devices. You’ll also be able to access your files through a web browser. AmazonS3 is also a big player, but it requires more technical knowledge to operate.
SaaS – Software as a Service
SAAS is the rental of a software that is used through a browser. No software installation is needed – maybe a plug-in for their browser – and the provider
will charge a monthly subscription fee for each user.
In fact, if you have been using any kind of web-based email service (Hotmail, Gmail, etc.), you’ve been using SaaS. You could receive your emails on
your computing with a software like Microsoft Outlook, but instead you use their online application.
Note that SaaS could also be used with a downloadable client interface.
PaaS – Platform as a Service
PaaS is a type of cloud computing that is generally reserved for a more specialized usage. It is used by developers and software companies to outsource their platform to specialized companies. This way, they can concentrate their efforts on the added value they can bring and not on maintaining an in-house infrastructure to support their customers.
Developers can rent a whole programming platform to develop theirs software. Again, no need to configure that in-house platform, you just rent it with a monthly calculated on the usage they make out of it. Using PAAS also has the advantage of having access to the latest leading technologies.
IBM and Amazon S3 are big players in this type of specialized cloud computing.
IaaS – Infrastructure As A Service
IaaS allows companies to outsource their servers’ infrastructure. They rent processing power and storage to their supplier. Companies have two choices. They can either rent a virtual server or rent a physical server. Renting a physical server is usually pricier, but it offers more power and stability.
The customer would normally have access to almost all the features they would if the server was located inside their servers’ room.
Publicand private types of cloud computing
Public cloud
Public cloud represents the vast majority of cloud computing offering. A supplier rents to clients parts of his whole infrastructure. The clients share can same
hard drives and servers, but they only rent part of it. And of course the infrastructure is secured to make sure only the authorized person has access to his files.
Private cloud
Private cloud is a type of cloud computing that is very similar to public cloud computing, but instead of renting a shared environment, you rent a specific
server. No one else has access to your server and it is physically designated to your needs.
Private cloud is generally used by enterprises to diminish the risks
associated with cloud computing. Instead of sharing storage space with thousands of users, you have storage dedicated and only accessible by your company.
If that cloud storage is managed inside the enterprise – whether it is in one location or shared across many – we talk about an enterprise private cloud. But
since the cloud is managed like any other IT infrastructure the enterprise already has, this is almost the same thing as any enterprise already do: allow a network space for their employees.
The reason why the concept exists is that there is a small difference in the paradigm of cloud computing. It brought a new way of seeing an important and
accessible storage space managed by a centralized group. But again, there is a very small difference between both types of cloud computing.
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