From small businesses to global businesses , Cloud is a very hot topic , It's a very broad concept , It covers a lot of online fields . Whether it's application or infrastructure deployment , When you start thinking about moving business to the cloud , It's more important than ever to understand the differences and advantages of various cloud services .
There are usually three cloud service models ：SaaS（ Software as a service ）,PaaS（ Platform as a service ） and IaaS（ Infrastructure as a service ）. Each has its own advantages and differences . For your organization to make the best choice , It is necessary for you to understand SaaS,PaaS and IaaS Differences between .
The following figure summarizes the main differences between the three models ：
SaaS： Software as a service
Software as a service （ Also known as cloud application services ） Represents the most commonly used option for enterprises in the cloud market . SaaS Using the Internet to provide its users with Applications , These applications are managed by third-party vendors . majority SaaS The application goes directly through Web Browser running , There is no need to download or install anything on the client side .
SaaS deliver
Because of its network transmission mode ,SaaS There is no need to download and install applications on every computer , And downloading and installing applications on every computer is exactly IT Employees' nightmares . adopt SaaS, The supplier can manage all potential technical issues , For example, data 、 middleware , Servers and storage , So businesses can simplify their maintenance and support .
SaaS The advantages of
SaaS By greatly reducing the installation , Time and money spent on tedious tasks like managing and upgrading software , There are many benefits for employees and the company . This allows technicians to spend more time dealing with more pressing issues and issues within the organization .
SaaS Characteristics
There are ways to help you decide when to use SaaS：
- Manage... In a unified place
- Hosted on a remote server
- It can be accessed through the Internet
- Users are not responsible for hardware or software updates
When to use SaaS
SaaS It's the most advantageous of many scenarios , Include ：
- If you are a start-up or a small company , Need to start e-commerce quickly , No time to deal with server issues or software
- For short-term projects that need collaboration
- If you need an application you don't use often , For example, tax software
- Applicable to the need to pass Web And mobile access applications
SaaS Example
Google Apps、Dropbox、Salesforce、Cisco WebEx、Concur and GoToMeeting etc.
PaaS： Platform as a service
Cloud platform service or platform as a service （PaaS） Provide cloud components for some software , These components are mainly used for applications . PaaS Provides a framework for developers , Enables them to create custom applications based on it . All servers , Both storage and networking can be managed by an enterprise or a third-party provider , And developers can manage applications .
PaaS Delivery
PaaS The delivery model of is similar to SaaS, In addition to providing software through the Internet ,PaaS Provides a software creation platform . The platform passes through Web Provide , Give developers the freedom to focus on creating software , And don't worry about the operating system 、 Software update , Storage or infrastructure .
PaaS Allows enterprises to use special software components to design and create built-in PaaS Applications in . Because of some cloud properties , These applications or middleware are scalable and highly available .
PaaS advantage
Whatever the size of your company , Use PaaS There are many advantages ：
- Make application development and deployment simple and cost-effective
- Scalable
- Highly available
- Enables developers to create custom applications , Without maintaining the software
- It greatly reduces the amount of coding
- Automate business strategy
- Allows easy migration to hybrid models
PaaS Characteristics
PaaS There are many features that define it as a cloud service , Include ：
- It's based on Virtualization Technology , That means as the business changes , Resources can be easily expanded or shrunk
- Provide services to assist in the development of , Testing and deploying applications
- Many users have access to the same development application
- Web Services and databases are integrated
When to use PaaS
in many instances , Use PaaS It's useful or even necessary . If there are multiple developers working on the same development project , Or must include other suppliers ,PaaS It can provide great speed and flexibility for the whole process . If you want to be able to create your own custom application ,PaaS It's also helpful . Cloud services can also significantly reduce costs , And you can simplify some of the challenges you face when developing or deploying applications quickly .
PaaS Example
AWS Elastic Beanstalk、Windows Azure、Heroku、Force.com、Google App Engine,Apache Stratos,OpenShift.
IaaS： Infrastructure as a service
Cloud infrastructure services are called infrastructure as services （IaaS）, It consists of highly scalable and automated computing resources . IaaS It's full self-service , For accessing and monitoring calculations 、 The Internet , Storage and other services , It allows businesses to buy resources on demand and as needed , Instead of buying all the hardware .
IaaS deliver
IaaS Provide cloud computing infrastructure for organizations through virtualization technology , Including servers 、 The Internet , Operating system and storage, etc . These cloud servers usually go through dashboards or API Provide to client ,IaaS The client has complete control over the entire infrastructure . IaaS Provides the same technology and functionality as traditional data centers , Without physical maintenance or management . IaaS Clients still have direct access to their servers and storage , But they all pass through “ Virtual Data Center ”.
And SaaS or PaaS contrary ,IaaS The client is responsible for managing the application 、 Runtime 、 operating system , Middleware and data . however ,IaaS Provider management server for 、 Hard drive 、 The Internet , Virtualization and storage . Some providers even offer more services outside the virtualization layer , For example, database or message queue .
IaaS The advantages of
choice IaaS There are many benefits , for example ：
- Is the most flexible cloud computing model
- Easy storage 、 The Internet , Automatic deployment of servers and processing power
- Hardware can be purchased according to consumption
- Give customers complete control over their infrastructure
- Resources can be purchased as needed
- Highly scalable
IaaS Characteristics
In considering IaaS Some of the characteristics to consider are ：
- Resources can be provided as services
- The cost varies according to the consumption
- The service is highly scalable
- Usually include multiple users on a single hardware
- Give the organization complete control over the infrastructure
- Dynamic and flexible
When to use IaaS
And SaaS and PaaS equally , Some specific scenarios use IaaS It's the best . If you are a startup or a small company ,IaaS Is a good choice , So you don't have to spend time or money creating hardware and software . Some large organizations want full control of their applications and infrastructure , At the same time, I want to buy only the hardware that is actually consumed or needed ,IaaS It's also good for them . For fast-growing companies ,IaaS It might be a good choice , Because you don't have to commit to specific hardware or software when requirements change and evolve . If you're not sure what the new application needs , It will also help , Because it can be expanded or reduced as needed .
IaaS Example
DigitalOcean,Linode,Rackspace,AWS,Cisco Metapod,Microsoft Azure,Google Compute Engine（GCE）
SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS
Overall speaking , Each cloud model provides its own specific functions and features , So it's important for your organization to understand these differences . Whether you are looking for Cloud Storage Software , It's also a smooth platform for creating custom applications ,, Or you want to have complete control of the entire infrastructure without having to physically maintain it , You can use cloud services . No matter which option you choose , Moving to the cloud is the future of business and Technology , And it's necessary for us to understand this correctly .
