What are the Types of Cloud Computing and Cloud Services

Are you thinking of switching to cloud computing? Cloud computing is one of the trendiest things at the moment. Many businesses and individuals are looking to switch to cloud services because of the numerous benefits.
Over the past few years, its growth has increased significantly, and soon enough, many companies worldwide will start to apply cloud policies. This is all because of its lower operating and maintenance costs, better flexibility, and improved productivity.
This article will look at the 3 main types of cloud computing and the different cloud services available. It will help you understand the concept of cloud computing way better. Without any delay, let’s begin!
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is a relatively new concept in technology, but it has rapidly grown. It is defined as the process of delivering on-demand services through the internet. These services might include data storage, software, databases, and more.
Also Read: What are the Benefits of Cloud Computing for Your Small Business?
Everything is stored in the cloud rather than storing information on a hard drive or the local storage system. Information in the cloud can simply be accessed if you have a device connected to the internet.
There are 3 primary cloud computing types along with many cloud services. Let’s take a look at its types first!
Types of Cloud Computing
The three types of cloud computing that will be looked at in detail are as follows:
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Hybrid Cloud
Public Cloud
Public clouds are the clouds that are not owned by the end-user. Instead, they’re owned by an IT infrastructure. Businesses access these based on the pay-per-use model. In public clouds, the IT infrastructure is responsible for creating the cloud and its maintenance.
This type of cloud computing is helpful for those individuals and businesses who are looking to save operational costs and whatnot. If you need quick access to resources and cloud services, public clouds may be the best option.
Pros
Here are a few of its advantages and benefits:
- Easy to access
- Comes in handy if you require a quick creation of a database or data storage
- Helpful for those on a tight budget
- No maintenance burden on the end-user as the cloud provider manages it entirely
- There are no geographical restrictions with public clouds
- Incredibly scalable
Cons
Despite its many advantages, there are a few disadvantages to public clouds, and they are as follows:
- If you have secure and sensitive data, there is a chance of it being leaked since the end-user won’t own anything
- There’s not much room for customization as it is managed wholly by the IT infrastructure
Private Cloud
Private clouds are that type of cloud computing that a single business or individual solely owns. Every cloud is converted into a private cloud once the access belongs to one person or company only.
These private clouds usually run behind a specific firewall and are an excellent option for those looking to secure their data. Although its creation and management are relatively more expensive, the security and customization are definitely worth it!
Private clouds are subdivided into two categories now, and one of those categories is managed private clouds. This type of private cloud is created and managed by a third-party vendor. That is a great option for companies and individuals who don’t have much experience creating a private cloud.
Another subcategory of private cloud is a dedicated cloud, a private cloud on a public cloud or a public one. For example, if the finance department wants a private cloud for its own need, one can be created in the central company cloud.
Pros
Here are the advantages of private clouds:
- The security level is very high since the cloud is managed and maintained by the end-user
- Better control over the cloud servers
- You can customize it according to your needs
- No sudden changes that can disrupt the flow
Cons
There are also a few disadvantages to private clouds, and they are as follows:
- Cost is pricey
- Requires knowledge and expertise in the field to create and manage the cloud servers
Hybrid Cloud
As the name suggests, a hybrid cloud combines private and public clouds with multiple environments. If you’re looking to avail the benefits of both types of cloud computing types, then this is the perfect option.
With the combination of both clouds, you can meet particular needs. A hybrid cloud differs accordingly. For example, it may include:
- one public cloud and one private cloud
- two public clouds
- two private clouds
Types of Cloud Services
Cloud services are the platforms and software that a user can access through the internet. Third-party providers usually host these. There are 3 types of cloud services, and they each vary according to the services provided. They are as follows:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)
- SaaS (Software as a service)
- PaaS (Platform as a service)
IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)
This type of cloud service consists of the basic building blocks required to build a cloud infrastructure. It even provides the user services such as network features or borrowing an infrastructure. IaaS is also based on a pay-to-use model since a user will be building new infrastructures with it.
SaaS (Software as a service)
Software as a service is the process of delivering software on the cloud. These are available on web browsers and mobile apps. Along with their easy accessibility, the CSP manages the cloud infrastructure.
PaaS (Platform as a service)
Platform as a service is the use of on-demand tools and supplies that are used to develop and create software. It provides a platform for developers to create apps without worrying about creating a database and the costs that go into it.
Final Words
As you might have noticed, the field of cloud computing is very vast, and it continues to develop. We meet with new and improved technology regarding cloud computing every few months. Think about your needs if you’re still wondering what cloud services you should be working with. Depending on that, choose your cloud server and service!