Everything You Need to Know about Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

By now almost everyone has heard of the Cloud. But, does anyone understand the cloud?

Servers, operating systems, and networks used by data centers are moving to the cloud. This can bring anxiety and stress to those who don’t understand what the cloud is.

Cloud computing is not a storage unit in the sky filled with everyone’s information. Although this is often the way it has been explained due to the fact that there are no physical servers that can be seen or touched.

The cloud consists of various services designed to meet different organizations IT needs. One of these services is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). IaaS brings virtual computer resources to companies via the internet.

You may have heard the term before but don’t understand what Infrastructure as a Service is all about. That’s ok, keep reading for everything you need to know about IaaS.

How Infrastructure as a Service Works

In the past, data centers maintained on-site servers, storage systems, and network connections. But now, IaaS provides all that across the internet.

Infrastructure as a Service is exactly how it sounds. Third-party companies providing computer infrastructure across the internet.

Companies do not have to own servers on-site. Now they can pay to use servers provided by a third-party. It is the same with storage space, bandwidth, and IP addresses.

This frees up physical office space and saves money. Companies don’t need to buy or maintain hardware, and can gain access from remotely.

Companies using IaaS can remotely log into the server in order to create virtual machines, install operating software on those virtual machines and install backups and workloads onto the virtual machines.

Overall the main purpose of IaaS is to easily allow for automation and orchestration of vital infrastructure tasks and IT workloads usually handled manually and on site.

The Difference Between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS

Cloud computing is broken down into three model: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). All three models, while having different functions, complement each other.

The IaaS model offers virtual hardware to store data and create virtual machines. Once you’ve created the virtual machines you’ll need to install an operating system. That’s where PaaS comes in.

PaaS manages the operating system and any drivers necessary to run day-to-day options. Once the virtual machine is built and loaded with the operating system and drivers, the SaaS model will help with applications.

SaaS are programs, applications, and tools installed on a virtual machine to run the day to day operations of the company. For example, accounting software, calendars, and spreadsheets.

All three models of cloud computing can work together to create a virtual computer.

So, when looked at in this way, IaaS is the physical hardware components of a computer set within a virtual world.

Common Applications for IaaS

Each application of Infrastructure as a Service is classified into four broad categories.

1. Digital Business – This includes digital marketing, customer resource management, and e-commerce.
2. Agile Projects – This includes projects classified as experiments and prototyping.
3. Datacenter Substitution – As mentioned above IaaS is able to replace physical onsite servers and data storage systems.
4. Batch Computing – These applications include rendering, video encoding, and data analytics.

Most of the workload required by businesses is handled by the Infrastructure as a Service model.

IaaS Benefits

As mentioned, Infrastructure as a Service alleviates the need to buy physical hardware. Hardware needed to handle IT workload for businesses. But there are more benefits than freeing up office space and reducing cost.

One of the major benefits of IaaS is the ability to expand. When a company needs to expand it can tap into the Cloud and add services as needed.

This allows for instant expansion without waiting for equipment deliveries. And on the opposite end, it saves companies from under-usage costs. This means companies are able to instantly scale back on services or storage space they may no longer have a need for.

Another benefit is the ability to access the system from anywhere and at any time. The IaaS being in the Cloud allows for remote accessing from any location so long as the security parameters of the service allow for it.

The final benefit we’ll mention here, and probably the best one is the lack of a single point of failure. The Infrastructure as a Service model allows for one aspect of the system to fail without the entire system failing. Not everything grinds to a halt because of one failure.

And with that, if there is a failure the company using the services does not have to waste time and money trying to find an IT specialist to fix the problem. That responsibility lies with the provider.

Available Features and Options

IaaS offers a variety of different forms of the Cloud for companies to utilize such as a private, public, or hybrid cloud.

Public Cloud

A public cloud has multiple tenants, meaning multiple organizations use the same servers but only have access to their own information and services, and has pay-as-you-go features for scaling and expansion.

Private Cloud

A private cloud is just as you might imagine, a single tenant virtual or dedicated server designed specifically for one organization.

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud is the best of both worlds offering both the scalability of public clouds and the dedicated or virtual servers for single tenants of private clouds.

Most providers offer one of the above options, however, these options allow businesses to shop around for providers that would best meet their IT needs.

Risks and Concerns with IaaS

As with any service, there are always going to be risks and concerns which companies should be aware of.

The biggest risk with Infrastructure as a Service is Cyber Security. Since IaaS is maintained through the Cloud and delivered by a third party provider, the security depends solely on that provider.

For this reason, it is important companies looking to contract through a provider should fully do their research to ensure not only that their data will be protected but also to ensure they will meet any federal regulations if required for their business.

Cyber security is not the only concern for businesses wishing to use the Infrastructure as a Service model. The pay-as-you-go billing can also be a source of worry.

While it is nice to only pay for services you actually use, the downside can be fluctuating bills.

Usage of services can fluctuate from month to month. One month can see high usage, while another can see low usage.

This can make it difficult for businesses to budget for each billing cycle and know precisely how much to pay for each service on a yearly basis.

IaaS Recent Trends

Infrastructure as a Service is an ever-evolving fluid service. Because of this, there is no one size fits all model that will meet the needs of every business.

This allows for new vendors to break into the market and begin offering IaaS services. The most well-known providers are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google.

One of the reasons for which smaller vendors or providers are able to find their own niche within cloud computing is due to the constant varying needs of businesses wishing to use the model.

Vendors are distinguishing themselves from their competition by offering specific services to niche markets to attract customers with more specific needs.

Infrastructure as a Service

Infrastructure as a Service is one of the best ways for companies to meet their IT needs and requirements in a cost-effective and easy to access manner.

However, as seen from the information given above, diving straight into using IaaS models blindly without the proper research and knowledge of what is offered can be detrimental.

As with anything doing your homework and research is crucial to making a sounds decision that will provide the most benefit for your company without costing too much or hinder operations.

Knowing the types of features available will help reduce costs ensuring your company only pays for the services it uses. Also, knowing what each vendor offers will ensure the proper security requirements get met. And, any federal regulations which may be required.

It’s always wise to ask experts for a better understanding of what’s available for your company. If you have any questions about Infrastructure as a Service or cloud computing contact us today!