Types of Cloud Service Model Like Iaas-Paas-SaaS-FaaS

Cloud service models define how cloud services are delivered to users. The three main types are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. PaaS offers hardware and software tools over the internet, typically for app development. SaaS delivers software applications over the internet. IaaS is ideal for flexible infrastructure, PaaS for application development, and SaaS for ready-to-use software. Moreover, there is another model which is serverless computing. In this article we will discuss total four types of models in cloud computing.

What is Cloud Service Model?

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A cloud service model in cloud computing delivers various IT services over the internet. It includes three main types: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service). Each model offers different levels of control and management. Using a cloud service model allows businesses to scale resources quickly and reduce costs. It also enhances flexibility and enables access to advanced technologies. Overall, adopting a cloud service model can streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Types of Cloud Service Model

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Cloud engineers are familiar with four main cloud service models. These models are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Function as a Service (FaaS). IaaS offers virtualized computing resources over the internet. PaaS provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications. SaaS delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. FaaS allows developers to deploy individual functions without managing servers. Each model serves different needs and offers unique benefits in cloud computing. So types of model are:

Cloud Service Model	Description	Example
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)	Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. Users can manage the operating systems, storage, and applications.	Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 – Offers virtual servers for hosting applications and websites.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)	Provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the underlying infrastructure.	Google App Engine – Allows developers to build and deploy web applications without managing the underlying hardware or software.
Software as a Service (SaaS)	Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. Users access the software through a web browser.	Microsoft 365 – Offers online versions of Office applications like Word and Excel.
Function as a Service (FaaS)	Allows developers to deploy individual functions or pieces of code that run in response to events without managing servers.	AWS Lambda – Executes code in response to triggers such as changes in data or user actions.

Comparison of The Four Main Cloud Service Model

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Here’s a comparison of the four main models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Function as a Service (FaaS)—highlighting their key features, management levels, and typical use cases:

Aspect	Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)	Platform as a Service (PaaS)	Software as a Service (SaaS)	Function as a Service (FaaS)
Definition	Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.	Offers a platform allowing customers to develop and manage applications without dealing with underlying infrastructure.	Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis.	Allows developers to execute individual pieces of code in response to events without managing servers.
Management Level	Users manage the operating systems, storage, and applications.	Users manage applications and data; the provider manages the infrastructure.	The Users manage only their data and use the application provided by the service.	Users manage only their code; the provider manages the infrastructure and runtime.
Control	High control over infrastructure components like VMs and storage.	Moderate control; focus on application development and deployment.	Low control; only configuration and use of the application are available.	Minimal control; focus on writing code and defining triggers.
Scalability	High; users can scale infrastructure resources as needed.	High; platform resources can scale automatically based on demand.	Limited; scaling typically handled by the provider.	High; scales automatically in response to event triggers.
Use Cases	Hosting virtual servers, data storage, disaster recovery.	Developing, testing, and deploying applications quickly.	Accessing email, CRM systems, office suites, and other software.	Running microservices, event-driven applications, and real-time data processing.
Examples	AWS EC2, Microsoft Azure VMs, Google Compute Engine	Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Services, Heroku	Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace	AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Google Cloud Functions

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Software as a Service ( SaaS)

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In this cloud service model, the cloud hosting providers offer users access to their systems through software.  The user installs software applications in their local device.

Key features of SaaS

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• Software as a service (SaaS) vendors provides consumers with software and applications via a cloud subscription model.
• SaaS providers manage everything. The consumer does not have to manage, install or upgrade software.
• Information is secure in cloud storage. Equipment failure does not influence the outcome of the loss of data.
• The use of data assets can be scaled depending on cloud service needs.
• Applications are accessible virtually from almost any internet-connected device.

Uses of SaaS

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SaaS is an alternative to on-campus application software. In the cloud, many software can be used as SaaS, such as:

• customer relationship management software
• mobile applications
• HR management software
• office and communication software
• payroll and accounting programs
• enterprise resource planning programs corporate performance management suites

Advantage of SaaS

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SaaS offers a user to use the software without buying the software or any application. So it has many advantages like:

Lower up-front cost 

• Resulting in lower initial costs.
• The SaaS service provider manages the IT setup running the software, which brings down fees for hardware and software maintenance.

Quick set up and deployment

• SaaS application software is already installed in the cloud.
• Minimizes delays resulting from often lengthy normal software deployment.

Easy upgrades

• Deploying upgrades of applications and removing this workload and responsibility

Accessibility

• SaaS application needs a browser and an internet connection.
• available on a wide range of devices
• Not like a traditional software application.

Scalability 

• SaaS providers offer many subscriptions
• options and flexibility to change subscriptions

Disadvantages of SaaS

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SaaS model sometimes has a certain limitation, including:

Lack of control

• in-house software gives an organization a higher degree of control than a SaaS solution.
• Control resides with a third party.

Security and data concerns

• access management and the privacy of sensitive information

Limited range of applications 

• Many applications don’t offer a hosted platform.

Connectivity requirements

• if internet service fails, lose access to software or data

Performance

• SaaS may run at slower speeds than on-premise

Example

Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365

Platform as a service (PaaS)

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Through PaaS, users can design, develop, manage and deliver software. PaaS is like a platform of cloud services to manage data. The user can use any tools from the storage. They can develop and customize their applications.

Features of Paas

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• PaaS delivers a platform with tools to test,
• Develop and host applications in the same setting.
• Allows establishments to focus on development without worry about the underlying setup.
• Providers manage operating systems, server software, security, and backups.
• Simplifies collaborative work even if teams work distantly.

Examples

AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Apache Stratos.

An advantage of PaaS

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• Enable faster time to market, allowing development teams to focus on the application
• Enhance the ability to react to changes and opportunities
• Spread capital investments further
• PaaS Innovate Faster any application to use
• Can reduce 60 % Cost so Focus on Resources
• An in-house platform may not provide the best technology, so PaaS helps to Get the Best Technology.
• It is the responsibility of the vendor to make updating the user
• The vendors have dedicated team are widely used get maximum uptime
• It can be scale easily
• Do the best project
• Get the best support.

The Platform as a service provides many tools for the developer to customize a scalable business application. As a result, the user becomes happy to use PaaS.

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

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These networking types offer users the server, storage, and network element to use the server. An organization uses its application with vendors’ cloud infrastructure.

Key Features of IaaS in cloud computing

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• Instead of buying the hardware outright, users pay for Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) on demand.
• Setup is scalable depending on handling and storage needs.
• Saves organization the costs of purchasing and continuing their hardware.
• There can be no single point of failure because data is no cloud.
• Permits the virtualization of administrative tasks.

Advantage of IaaS

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In previous data was low and demand for the cloud service model was limited. At present, because of extensive data, the demand for cloud storage has increased. So infrastructure as a service is required. The common benefits of IaaS are:

• The model helps to be free from limitations. When data is high, hardware is high.
• These types of models help to focus on priority.
• It is a subscription bases system
• It focus on business growth
• The IaaS saves the IT staff’s time. If any problem arises, it is not the duty of IT staff to solve it. Vendors will solve a problem.

Examples
Windows Azure, Amazon EC2, Rackspace, Google Compute Engine

Function as a Service (FaaS) in Cloud Computing

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Function as a Service (FaaS) is a cloud computing model that allows users to run code in response to events. Unlike traditional server setups, FaaS manages servers automatically. With FaaS, you focus only on your code. The cloud provider handles the infrastructure. This model is often called serverless computing because you don’t need to manage servers.

Features of Function as a Service (FaaS)

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Function as a Service (FaaS) offers several key features:

• Scalability is built-in, allowing functions to scale automatically with demand.
• Cost is based on actual usage, making it cost-effective.
• Efficient scaling happens automatically in response to event triggers.
• Improved developer velocity is achieved by focusing on code, not infrastructure.
• Advantages of FaaS include reduced server management and flexible deployment.
• Concentrates on coding rather than infrastructure, simplifying development processes.
• Function execution is triggered by specific events, such as HTTP requests.
• Event-driven architecture ensures functions run only when needed.
• Functions are triggered by events, leading to efficient resource use.
• Reduced control over the underlying infrastructure compared to traditional models.
• Security is managed by the cloud provider, including updates and patches.
• Serverless computing and edge computing are integral, providing scalable, event-driven solutions.
• Software deployment is streamlined with automatic scaling and updates.

Serverless Computing

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Cloud Serverless computing and FaaS are similar, but they are not the same. Serverless is a broader term, including FaaS, but also other models where server management is abstracted away.

FaaS works by executing small units of code, or functions, in response to triggers like HTTP requests or database changes. These functions run only when needed and are billed based on execution time.

Differences between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, FaaS and Serverless

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IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, FaaS, and serverless are all cloud service models. Each serves different purposes. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) offers virtual machines, storage, and networking. It gives businesses control over the infrastructure but requires management.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications. It handles the underlying infrastructure, making it ideal for development teams.

SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers ready-to-use applications over the internet. Users don’t need to manage infrastructure or software updates. Examples include Google Workspace and Dropbox.

FaaS (Function as a Service) is a type of serverless computing. It allows developers to execute code in response to specific events. FaaS focuses on running small pieces of code without managing servers.

Serverless computing, often used interchangeably with FaaS, allows developers to build and run applications without provisioning servers. The cloud provider handles the server management. This reduces complexity and costs. The key difference is that serverless supports more than just functions. It covers back-end services that scale automatically based on demand.

IaaS provides full infrastructure control, PaaS offers a development platform, SaaS delivers software, FaaS executes functions, and serverless removes server management. The best choice depends on your project needs. For full control, IaaS is ideal. For development, PaaS works best. If you need simple applications, go for SaaS. Choose FaaS or serverless for event-driven or scalable services. Each model suits different use cases, so assess your goals before choosing.

Final Thought

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Though there are four types of cloud service model but three are widely discussed. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) offers virtualized computing resources like servers and storage over the internet. Users control the operating systems and applications. PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides a platform for developing and managing applications, handling the underlying infrastructure for users. SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers ready-to-use applications via the internet, with the provider managing everything. Examples include AWS EC2 (IaaS), Google App Engine (PaaS), and Microsoft 365 (SaaS).