Best Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS)

IaaS (infrastructure as a service) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. IaaS is one of the three main categories of cloud computing services, along with platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS).

Like IaaS, PaaS includes infrastructure such as servers, storage, and networking. But it also provides middleware, development tools, database management systems, and more.

PaaS is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers a set bundle of hardware and software tools, such as databases, server space, and code compilers, for users over the internet. A PaaS system is geared for creating and managing single specific applications that depend on specific hardware and runtime software.

SaaS is a service that delivers on-demand online front-end user software. It doesn’t require local installation of software to run. All necessary resources are provided and managed by the vendor. The user can only use the end user product provided by the service and cannot make any changes to the software or resources running the user interface.

IaaS is a service model that provides computing resources, such as virtual machines and virtual storage, over the internet and is used by network architects.

PaaS is a cloud computing model that delivers tools and run time environments that are used for application development and deployment and is used by software developers.

SaaS is a service model on the cloud that hosts software that is used by end users.

IaaS helps organizations manage and run their computing resources. Some of the benefits of using IaaS solutions include:

• Scaling and better IT performance: IaaS can scale globally to accommodate spikes in resource demand. This allows fast delivery of IT resources and better application performance.

• Reduced spending and optimized costs: IaaS eliminates the cost of setting up and maintaining a physical datacenter, which makes it a very cost-effective choice. The subscription models used by IaaS providers help reduce hardware costs and maintenance and free up IT teams to focus on other issues.

• Data recovery: With IaaS solutions, data recovery is simple and inexpensive. IaaS ensures that applications and data are accessible during a disaster or outage.

• Increased stability: With IaaS, there's no need to maintain and upgrade software and hardware or troubleshoot IT issues. IaaS service providers ensure that the infrastructure is reliable and up to standard.

• Better security: IaaS providers offer a high level of security for applications and data.

• Optimized application testing: Quickly set up test and development environments, releasing new applications to market faster. IaaS makes it fast and cost effective to scale development and testing environments up and down.

• Faster launch times: Once a new application is ready to launch, the necessary computing infrastructure can be ready in minutes or hours, since the underlying infrastructure is already there.

An IaaS tool is a cloud computing solution that delivers on-demand data storage and network resources over the cloud. Most IaaS solutions offer a pay-as-you-go subscription, so customers can use and pay for resources as needed.

IaaS end users do not control or manage the underlying cloud infrastructure they receive, but they have complete control over their data, networks, networking components, operating systems, and any other stored application.

When weighing the key features of IaaS solutions, PeerSpot users determined ROI to be one of the most important deciding factors. Performance capability and interoperability with the leading public cloud services were also found to be important components, along with solid security and unwavering reliability. Other features to look out for include:

• Multiple cloud setups: Create and manage an unlimited number of virtual networks.

• Data migration: Enable users to transfer data, applications, operating systems, and any other resources to an IaaS cloud environment.

• Configuration management: Allow users to increase or decrease data storage as required. Users should also be able to choose and manage networking components, such as security firewalls and network operating systems.

• Performance monitoring: Enable users to remotely monitor their virtual environments to ensure optimal performance of dedicated servers, data, and networks.

• Load balancing: Evenly distribute incoming network traffic across a group of backend servers to improve data utilization, improve scalability, and ensure high data availability.

• Logging: Provide visualization into all files requested and accessed on the server. In addition, users should be able to configure role-based access control for the logs.

• Automation: Automation allows capacity management and resource orchestration to be managed with code via APIs. This reduces the manual involvement necessary to operate the IaaS infrastructure.

• Cost management: Get a clear picture of expenses and costs.